Thanks for your patience as I reworked my latest manuscript
It’s been a while since I last posted. Sorry for the delay. Lots of writing, revising, and editing have taken priority in my life. I’ve also been coaching writing clients and teaching qi gong, an ancient Chinese martial art, to senior citizens in our local park. So, as you can see, I’ve been busy.
What’s taken up most of my time has been rewriting and editing my latest full-length sapphic novel, Blended Lives. For the past two years, I’ve done three major rehauls on the manuscript after consulting with an editor and recruiting the help of six sensitivity readers. These amazing people have given me valuable feedback on my characters’ diverse identities, languages, cultures, backgrounds, etc., to ensure that each character, and their unique life situation, comes across as authentic to readers.
For this novel, I have sought out sensitivity readers because I am a cis white lesbian and my fictional story features a cis white lesbian protagonist, along with her Mexican American love interest, and a trans Black woman, a couple of gay men, neurodivergent individuals, and a young woman with mental health issues.
As a writer who deeply cares about diversity, equity, inclusion and the accurate depiction of underrepresented populations in literature, I believe it is our duty—and honor—as authors to portray our characters and situations as realistically as possible.
Like most of the sapphic writers I know, I celebrate multiculturalism and diversity and take particular care not to offend people. While striving to uphold the true image of traditionally underrepresented folks, I feel it’s important for us to recognize that we are all humans, and that we deserve the same rights and opportunities as everyone else, no matter who we are or where we live.
Just because we are different than the “norm” (what is normal, anyway?), we have our own values, loves, hurts, and needs. We all deserve respect, dignity, and a fair chance to thrive, and be safe, with our loved ones in this world. Yet this isn’t what’s happening.
As time changes and certain people’s rights are increasingly being taken away, thirst for power (economic and more) is rising, and books like mine are being banned for no reason. It’s time for us to make a stand and stick up for others.
If you’re not into social justice and activism, you can at least start by reading a variety of books. Try sipping some hot chocolate and reading books penned by my LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC author friends, not only in the USA, but globally. Personally, I love reading stories set in other countries!
Hopefully, our stories will offer you new perspectives, and a chance to reflect on your own biases and privileges. We all know that many people, just because of their skin color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, language, gender identity, mental and physical health, abilities, etc., are still being treated unfairly. It is time for this injustice and inequity to stop. Literature is a gateway.
Now that my manuscript is finally ready, at 96,000 words, I’ve recently sent out query letters to a handful of literary agents who are seeking well-written stories featuring LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and neurodivergent characters. I’m waiting for their response, which I hope will be positive. It’s time for BLENDED LIVES to come into this world. It’s a contemporary love story based in San Francisco between two very different women—opposites, really—both dancers, in their own special way.
Through personal and family challenges, loss, tension, laughs, friendship, love, and all sides of humanity—the best ingredients to weave a great tale—my protagonists light up the page.
So, readers, thank you for your patience as I reworked my manuscript. Thank you to all my sensitivity readers, and the editor who gave me great insight. And thank you in advance to my future agent and publisher who will take a chance on this unique story, which is finally ready to launch into our literary world.
Mickey
Memorable experiences researching dance for my next novel…
Four years ago, I began writing my third novel, featuring two female dancers who fall in love. I’d written most of the story, which takes place in San Francisco, before I realized I hadn’t included dance in the book. None. How could I forget that essential detail? So, I figured I’d do some dance research, firsthand, and somehow insert it in my manuscript.
Not an easy feat, given my history with dance.
I’ve been dancing ever since I climbed onto my parents’ living room table at age two. I loved performing in my socks on its slick, varnished surface. Yet my parents couldn’t stop my limbs from whacking over lamps and Christmas tree lights. On a whim, my mom signed me up for ballet, but I got kicked out for unruly behavior (I’ll spare you the details). I admit, I was born un ungraceful tyke. Yes, you read that right, and it rhymes with…
Anyway, at sixteen, I tried again, learning jazz with our pastor (funny, seeing him in tights after church). And in college, I took ballroom dance—also a disaster. I hated waiting for nerdy guys to ask for my clammy hand; I always wanted to lead. I was a total tomboy and hadn’t figured out I was a lesbian yet, though I knew I wasn’t into guys. Nope.
Finally, I moved to San Francisco, where I discovered “Barefoot Boogie” in the Mission District. I no longer needed a partner to dance. Such freedom! So, I began practicing with a handful of regulars. That is, when I wasn’t performing for free in queer clubs: on podiums, tables…even on a fridge once. Anything that could support my skinny, restless body gyrating to loud, groovy music. Those were wild times!
Then I forgot all about the joys of dance and became a writer. I still had loads of energy, which I channeled into my stories: ripping through reams of paper in lieu of dance floors. Until I found myself in this predicament for my next book, and I had to do dance research.
Luckily, three years ago, someone suggested I check out 5Rhythms® (https://www.5rhythms.com). What a gift to the soul! Right away, I loved the music, the spaciousness, the sequencing, the subtle interactions, and strong connections with other dancers. Such a heart-opening experience…
This practice has led me to personal transformation, a richer understanding of humanity, even healing… Since that formidable first day, I’ve taken a few unforgettable workshops with talented 5Rhythms teachers from across the globe.
Now, the main characters in my current manuscript—two female dancers who fall in love—are actually dancing (before gnawing on savory burritos and sipping tangy margaritas). All this dancing sure works up an appetite—for them, and for me!
It’s hard to describe the impact of this new dance practice on my life. It’s changed my way of seeing and communicating with the world, and my style of writing. It wakes me up to the world and brings me more peace and clarity. I feel more in tune with everything. As I explore inwardly, every cell of my body comes alive with certain songs. Some provoke rage, while others create stillness and acceptance for myself and my surroundings.
You’ve got to experience it to know what it’s like. Even dancing on a chair, or lying down, or draped over a sofa, it’s all possible… I’ve tried it, and it works! Dancing every day, even for five minutes or so—alone in my living room now because of the pandemic—invigorates me. It helps me thrive, especially during these two tumultuous years of COVID-19.
In February, my partner and I relocated from California to Brussels, Belgium. We hardly had any furniture in our new place for three months: perfect for dancing! Nothing to knock over. No pesky neighbors yelling at us to turn down the music. It was heavenly!
Now, we have our table, sofa, and lamps again, so I try to control my flying limbs.
Anyway, thanks to three years of dance research, I’ve added plenty of movement to my next novel, Blended Lives, which I hope will come out soon. It’s an intriguing love story between two culturally, linguistically, and emotionally mismatched lesbians. One dances professionally in a troupe while the other performs on podiums in queer clubs.
Thank goodness I’ve rediscovered the thrill of dancing. I’m now hooked, just like my characters. For more info, feel free to check out my future blog posts, and my first two novels, Underwater Vibes and its sequel, Broad Awakening, which feature Hélène and Sylvie, in Brussels, Belgium, and Santorini, Greece, who fall in love through swimming. There’s some dance in those books as well.
Take care and stay safe. Happy holidays!
Mickey
Cookies at Lisa’s: my true, closeted story published in “The Whole Alphabet: The Light and the Dark,” a new LGBTQ+ anthology from So Say We All
This summer, one of my coming-out stories (actually, a closeted story) was published in the fantastic LGBTQ+ anthology, “The Whole Alphabet: The Light and the Dark.”
My story’s called Cookies at Lisa’s. It’s about how…
Wait, I don’t want to spoil it for you. Let’s just say this was my first real experience having goosebumps over another woman. And it’s a true story.
To learn more, check out this article in the San Diego Union-Tribune featuring So Say We All, the publishers of this anthology, which gives LGBTQ+ authors a place to speak out: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/columnists/story/2021-08-05/column-a-new-book-from-san-diegos-so-say-we-all-gives-lgbtq-authors-a-place-to-speak-out
Happy reading!
Mickey
“Queer, Multicultural Romance, and so much more…”
In preparation for the Bold Strokes Books UK Festival on 6 June in Nottingham (online again this year), today’s blog post addresses which kinds of books I’m most interested in.
Like many authors, I prefer to write the kinds of books I like to read: literary ones, with unsuspecting plots, diverse and/or quirky characters, thoughtful prose, and a dash of humor. Since I read and write in both English and French, I love well-written stories set in other countries, peppered with foreign words and customs that transport readers to exciting locations.
I also like reading about strong, adventurous heroines, particularly athletes, overseas transplants like me, and global travel. I’m drawn toward the challenges and conflicts associated with being queer and ‘out’ in our heteronormative society. It’s refreshing to see a mismatched couple fall in love. Or follow a protagonist’s unique journey to greater health, personal growth, and—in some cases—healing.
Like many lesbian readers, I’m a softy for pretty flowers, all types of cats, mouthwatering exotic cuisine, and slow burns, when it comes to lesbian romance. Those are the kinds of novels I gravitate toward in bookshops. I also love reading historical fiction, as a genre, yet I wouldn’t have the discipline to write those kinds of novels. I greatly admire authors who conduct tons of research to render their stories real and authentic.
On quiet evenings there’s nothing I’d rather do than devour a well-spun tale. Now that we live in Brussels, Belgium, where it rains most of the time, I wrap a soft blanket over my shoulders, steam delicious Belgian hot chocolate, put on soft music, and settle next to my partner and kitty on our sofa. A perfect setting to dive into yet another intriguing story.
Whenever possible, I prefer books of fiction that explore the thrills, challenges, and sensitivities of same-sex attraction and love. Unfortunately, in the mainstream publishing world, these kinds of books aren’t easy to find. Since publishing queer literature is our specialty at Bold Strokes Books, I’m always eager to consume novels written by my colleagues, many of whom I also consider friends.
As a Bold Strokes Books author since 2017, I like to create romantic stories about lesbians in global settings, featuring multicultural and diverse characters. Because I love reading and writing about motivating protagonists in other countries, the lesbian love story in my first two books, Underwater Vibes, and its sequel, Broad Awakening, takes place in Brussels, Belgium and on the island of Santorini, Greece.
The two-book series, published in 2017 and 2018, features individuals from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds: French and Flemish-speaking Belgians, a Greek swim champion, a Congolese-Belgian interpreter for the European Commission, and a queer hairdresser with a physical disability.
My next novel takes place in San Francisco, California, with a new cast of diverse characters. Even though I’m now living in Brussels, I currently spend my days penning this queer romance set in the USA, so readers worldwide can taste the thrills of San Francisco—and its rich cultural diversity—once it comes out, hopefully, next year.
In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you online at the Bold Strokes Books UK Festival on 6 June (broadcast from Nottingham, UK). I’ll be joining the first panel of the day with several amazing BSB colleagues, and later, I’ll be reading a short excerpt from my forthcoming lesbian romance.
Looking forward to seeing you at the festival!
Until then, stay safe,
Mickey
“Oui, oui… It’s still raining over here.”
We made it! After painful months of scheduling, packing, selling, donating, and stressing about last-minute travel complications, my partner and I and our kitty finally relocated back to Brussels last month. After ten days in strict quarantine, we ventured outside at last. So cold and rainy! What a radical change from our warm, California weather…
We’re glad to be back in Belgium amongst our family and friends, even though we can’t physically see them right now due to the current health restrictions over here. We’re also sad about leaving everyone we’ve grown close to in California. As soon as the pandemic is over, we’ll be back for a visit for sure!
Back to our unpredictable April weather: after an unexpected snowstorm that smothered houses, roads, trees, and flowers with inches of pristine snow for two days, it’s been raining most of this week. Every once in a while, though, we spot tiny cracks in the clouds, letting in faded rays of sunlight.
During my brisk morning walk yesterday, I followed the end of a rainbow while on a grassy path in a nearby field. I took it as a good omen. As soon as I reached the end of the path, the rainbow disappeared. Too bad I didn’t bring my camera. I feel much closer to nature here than in California, farther from noisy freeways and throngs of tourists. It could be because nearly everything is shut down over here, while many things have already opened up over there.
Our kitty, who was born in Belgium, couldn’t be more excited to be back in her verdant homeland. She keeps begging to go into the garden and lick everything. I guess rainwater tastes better than faucet water. Haven’t tried it myself, have you? She’s quite convincing, anyway. So, we let her out four times a day at least, but we have to watch over her because she doesn’t seem to realize how cold and wet she’s getting under the rainclouds. Those eight years living in California must have mollified her mind. Hope they didn’t do it to mine, too!
At least I’ve been sleeping much better here than I did in the States, which is nice. Even though Brussels is the capital of Europe, compared to the busy neighborhood we just escaped from, everything seems refreshingly quiet. Our friends and family over here have done so much to help us settle into our new place without our stuff (at a safe distance, outside, with masks, as required by law).
That’s because we’re still camping out. Our container with our household goods only shipped last week from California. It was delayed four times due to severe congestion resulting from the pandemic. If all goes well, we’ll get our clothes, pots and pans, books, etc., in one or two months.
I can’t wait to get my books, pens, and notebooks! Who needs pots, pans, cutlery, or nice clothes, anyway?
I hope you’re faring well and staying healthy. Here, the Coronavirus cases are up again and there hasn’t been much improvement on distributing the vaccines, unfortunately… Everything is still closed, except for the essentials. It’s hard to be in Belgium, at last, when all the restaurants, cafes, hairdressers, shops, and most hotels are closed. Especially when you’re a foodie, like me! There’s not even any outdoor dining yet. But we’re crossing our fingers that all this will change soon—perhaps in a few weeks?
Despite the dampness in weather and bleak prospects for cultural outings and gatherings, we’re still in good spirits. I’m thrilled to be working on my next novel, which is based in San Francisco. It’s a love story between two fascinating lesbians, of course. One is a professional dancer. Actually, I pulled a gluteus muscle (butt muscle) doing meticulous dance research for the book. It’s not always glamourous doing research. I couldn’t walk straight for over a week…
That’s all I’ll say about it now, since I want the story to be a surprise once it comes out, hopefully next year.
We’re finally able to connect to the Internet over here, but slowly. In our neighborhood, the speed is ten times slower than in California, since apparently, optic fiber cables haven’t been installed in our region yet. The positive side is that I’m rarely tempted to surf the Web, or social media. Instead, I just keep sipping tea and plugging away on my manuscript, with good old Word!
We bought a car yesterday, but it will take ten days to get it, even though it was sitting in the dealership, right under our noses, ready to drive home. I’d forgotten about all the hoops to jump through in Belgium before you can get a car, or many other things. It’s so different from in the States, where everything is instantaneous.
I should stop comparing cultures, shouldn’t I? After just a few weeks, we’re technically in our honeymoon phase of transnational relocation. The reverse culture shock typical of these kinds of moves should set in soon. Or maybe it won’t, since we’re still in our comfy little bubble, closed off from the outside world.
I’m working on getting a friend’s rusty old bike repaired so I can bike through the grassy fields. I love whizzing by flocks of chickens, sheep, cows, and horses. Since our overseas shipment was delayed, which contained our bicycles, I’ve been itching to get in the saddle again (that is, a bike saddle, not a horse’s!). I’m quite a klutz and have had way too many dire accidents falling from those beautiful, four-legged creatures, no matter how friendly they seemed.
When we got here, I was told it takes months, and even up to a year for some models, to order a new bike in Belgium because of the pandemic. Everyone and their grandmother seem to be on two wheels here. Unfortunately, I can’t get all of the parts yet (I still need the tube that holds the seat, for example, which proves necessary for cycling, right?). I hope to get that tube soon, so I can race through the wet cobblestone streets and muddy pastures like everyone else.
At least I ordered a helmet and sturdy bike lock, in anticipation. And judging from the buckets of rain pouring from the heavens right now, I’ll attempt to jump start the Internet so I can order one more essential item: a bright yellow raincoat.
My next blog post will be less dreary, I promise. No more boring chatter about rainy weather, Internet failures, or frustrating delays. I’ll write about something we all love—food! The fresh produce is glorious over here, but I’ll save that story for next time.
I’m looking forward to seeing you on Sunday, June 6th for our annual BSB UK Festival—online again this year. Get your tickets early. We’ll have a full day of exciting author panels, readings, and fun together!
Until then, stay safe, healthy, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do! 😉
Mickey
“Change is in the air”
Hi everyone!
I thought I’d write about change, since we’ve all been going through so much of it this past year. Who would’ve imagined a global pandemic would surface and disrupt our lives in such a severe way? I certainly didn’t. My life was chugging along quite smoothly until it hit. Then everything changed.
So here’s some news: I hadn’t planned to move back to Brussels, Belgium, but that’s where my partner and I and our kitty are headed in the New Year. We’ll be leaving behind sunny California, with its white, sandy beaches, palm trees, and laidback lifestyle. Hard to believe, right? But I have to admit, that last part’s a myth; my life was much more laidback and easygoing in Brussels before we relocated here eight years ago. People are constantly on the move here… Incredibly busy. I’m looking forward to a more balanced work/life situation, even if I might get a bit bored without the frenzied, high-paced activity that I’ve adopted here in the States.
I’m excited for this new change in scenery, even though rainy, cold winters aren’t my cup of tea, and Belgium is currently on lockdown due to COVID-19. I can’t wait to reconnect with my family and close European friends (virtually), and spend my evenings sitting by a crackling fire with my partner. We’ll stuff ourselves with thick Belgian waffles (heck, why not?) and enjoy endless mugs of hot Belgian chocolate on wintery nights.
That is, assuming we find a cozy home with a fireplace. Otherwise, I’ll settle on a cushion beside a hissing radiator with a blanket over my flannel-clad shoulders and a delicious book in my hands—most likely penned by one of our Bold Strokes Books authors, check out the new titles this year!
Yep, I’ll be ready for some down time since I’ve been laboring so hard these past years just to keep my head above water (and my ears above the waves). Did you know that rent in California is twice as much as in Brussels? And it’s on shaky ground, with the constant threat of earthquakes, wildfires, floods, riots, etc. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t trade these past eight years for anything. Both my partner and I learned so much, grew closer to family, and made some terrific friends and colleagues.
In Brussels, I’m going to hunker down and write, write, write. And read, read, read. Incidentally, both my books (Underwater Vibes, and its sequel, Broad Awakening) take place in Brussels.
What are you planning to do in the New Year? What big changes do you have in mind?
Stay tuned for more exciting news once we’ve crossed the Atlantic and emerged from quarantine in the New Year. Until then, let’s hope that 2021 will bring an end to the pandemic and we can start living our lives as before (but with better hygiene, for some folks).
Sending you virtual hugs and best wishes for a happy, healthy winter holiday.
Mickey
Brussels, 2019 picture
“What’s been inspiring me lately?”
I wrote this blog post for our readers in the United Kingdom.
Hi everyone! I’m writing you from sunny California while watching palm trees sway in the breeze outside my window. Sorry to make you feel bad if it’s raining over there in the UK. I don’t mean to rub it in… like the sunscreen I have to slather on my limbs each time I leave my apartment, even if it’s only to jog across the parking lot to get my mail. At least you’re spared that cumbersome, sticky chore.
Anyway, here’s my update. We’ve been hit hard by the pandemic here, like in most places around the world, and I’ve spent the past eight months holed up in our tiny duplex. What has inspired me the most during this challenging time is knowing that we’ll get through this. One day, we’ll figure out how to tame this monster of a virus. As I’m writing this post, we’re just learning about several possibilities for vaccines on the horizon. Like you, I can’t wait for us all to be able to venture outside and live our lives as before.
In the meantime, I’ve been devouring stacks of novels—approximately one per week—and writing up a storm (sorry for the cliché). I write by hand, then I type up my manuscripts. Since March, I’ve gone through 78 ballpoint pens and seven fat notebooks. It’s terrific because I had a huge stash of pens (many given to me by friendly folk standing behind freebie tables at writers’ and research conferences) in a box under my desk. Now it’s nearly empty! But I did have to order another dozen notebooks.
I’ve also been doing intense research for my next book. It’s a love story, of course, and I wanted to go deep inside my characters’ heads, so I’ve spent nearly two years learning about things such as dance (yep, I got injured a few times practicing in our cramped living room, banging my knobby knees on the table), and studying the symptoms of ADHD, and all types of mental illness.
Once I’m done researching and writing this next novel, which has become a true passion project, I hope it will inspire others to do what I’m trying to do—live each day to the fullest, despite the immense obstacles we’re all facing right now.
I’m also taking a creative writing course at a university, which has been incredibly inspiring. Each week, we read short stories and articles published in well-known literary journals. It’s so exciting to be working on the craft of writing with a small group of talented local authors who feel as passionate as I do about literary fiction. They laugh at the zany adventures of my awkward protagonists, often based on my own life experiences, while I introduce them to the joys of reading lesbian romance.
I’ve been so involved—actually, obsessed—with my research for my next book, I’m afraid I’ve gone off the grid with social media lately, preferring to hibernate at home with a cup of tea and a great novel.
It’s also nice to take advantage of our mild climate by traversing nature trails with my partner in grassy parks and empty beaches. All my senses are stimulated when I’m in the presence of Mother Nature, taking in her intricate beauty. Maybe it’s not a great excuse, but I’m sorry if I haven’t responded to you on Facebook or Instagram. I promise, once I’ve finished all this preparatory work, I’ll pull my head up for air and hop right back on social media.
To conclude, I wish you all the best during this holiday season (Thanksgiving is already here, for those of you in North America). I long for the day when I can come back to Nottingham to see you all in person again. We’ll dine on tasty fish and chips in one of your lovely pubs during the 2021 BSB UK Book Festival. Until then, please stay safe and healthy, and have a delicious pint for me!
Mickey’s rainy holiday research trip to San Francisco—a cultural & culinary adventure
You might have heard the news: California hasn’t been sunny lately. We were hit with a cold, soggy storm with high winds, just in time for my recent research trip to San Francisco during our Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The clouds unleashed so much rain on the City that I kept waking up in our hotel convinced that I was back in Brussels.
My partner and I flew to San Francisco to research my next LGBTQ novel, which takes place in the City. One of my characters, a Mexican-American lesbian dancer, is from the Mission district, a colorful, thriving Latinx/Hispanic area, and her female love interest, a transplant from Boston, lives near North Beach, a historically Italian neighborhood (where I used to live).
As I sat in intimate cafés sipping cappuccinos and munching on biscotti, pretending to be my characters as I scribbled furiously in my notebook—it’s easy, because they’re in their early 20s, just like me when I lived in the City—I couldn’t stop peeking out the foggy windows. That’s where I saw Fall leaves scattered on wet sidewalks, jets of water shooting from the sky, dozens of abandoned umbrellas… just like in Belgium, where my first two novels, Underwater Vibes and its sequel, Broad Awakening, take place.
As the most European-style city in the USA, San Francisco lures in throngs of people from around the world with its multiculturalism, high tech-high energy atmosphere, cool, unpredictable weather, and more. While many restless implants from the Big Apple (New York City) grow tired of its slower pace, everyone else, including scores of European and Asian tourists, find San Francisco not only charming, but inclusive for all kinds of communities, especially LGBTQ+ folks like us.
As soon as we dropped our bags off at the hotel, my partner and I went to explore my old haunts in North Beach. Finding most restaurants closed on Thanksgiving night, we ducked into Vesuvio Cafe, on Columbus Avenue, directly across from City Lights Bookstore. Years ago, I hung out at both these places on weekends, where they still attract eclectic crowds.
We wanted to find a good location to celebrate this important American holiday, but since none of my favorite restaurants were open, we figured at least a tasty beer in a cozy environment would warm our insides and bring us some holiday cheer.
As soon as we entered the cafe, the barmaid greeted us with a friendly smile. Huddling together at a back table (my partner and me, not the barmaid and me!), we tried their Anchor Porter (yum!), reminding me of those delicious, dark British beers I like to sip in Nottingham with BSB readers after our Bold Strokes Books UK festival each summer.
To add to my excitement, I spotted a huge holiday buffet about three inches from my brew-hugging elbow. It featured large chunks of carved ham, candied yams, turkey sandwiches, European cheese, homemade bread, stuffing, pumpkin and pecan pies (my favorites)!
My faithful readers know that I’m a total foodie, as evidenced by zillions of culinary scenes in my novels. I must admit, the painstaking research to create these scenes—just like at Vesuvio Cafe on Thanksgiving—isn’t always so painful. I even published a story for a travel cookbook once, written under a pseudonym because it featured me giving cooking lessons to young, Japanese brides-to-be. What a disaster! (The cooking class, not the story.) Judging from my dreadful history with cooking, I’m definitely more of a gourmande than a gourmet (hint: look up these terms to brush up on your French).
Anyway, back to San Francisco… The kind owner of Vesuvio Cafe invited us to enjoy her generous buffet—which she had been serving for forty years to hungry neighborhood locals who had nowhere else to go for their Thanksgiving holiday meal, a bit like us—and I ended my sumptuous repast with two tiny slivers (scratch that… huge slices) of pumpkin pie, washed down with another frothy Anchor Porter.
To conclude, I can’t wait to share a British beer and tons of fish and chips with you all at the Bold Strokes Books UK festival in Nottingham again in June!
Happy Holidays!
Mickey
Summer’s here! Mickey’s book events in Brussels, Oceanside, and Lit Café @ San Diego Pride Festival
It’s been an exciting few weeks to start off the summer. Both book events in Brussels, where I presented my latest novel, Broad Awakening, the sequel to Underwater Vibes (at Cook & Book on June 14th, and at Waterstones Brussels, with interracial romance author Janae Keyes on June 16th) drew sizeable crowds. We had stimulating conversations about “romance outside the lines” and LGBTQ inclusion in Europe, the creative writing process, etc.
Next, I headed to Oceanside, CA, where I participated at Oceanside Public Library’s Write On, Oceanside! Literary Festival on June 22nd. It was a fun event where local authors, readers, and agents could meet, share their ideas, and mingle. It was a chance to meet interesting authors who had penned some cool books in this sunny location by the sea.
That’s enough about past events. On to the future… If you live in Southern California, be sure to come to the San Diego Pride Festival on Saturday, July 13th, and Sunday, July 14th. It’s a terrific way to show your support—especially during this 50-year anniversary of Stonewall—whether you’re a member of the LGBTQIA community, an ally, or you just want to have a fantastic time and meet new friends.
On Sunday, July 14th, from 4:00-4:30pm, I’ll be on stage in the Prism Zone to present my books at Lit Café @ San Diego Pride Festival, organized by the San Diego Public Library. When you come to the Lit Café, be sure to visit their library booth to get a special edition Pride Library card and learn more about their extensive programs and resources. The family area will include Drag Queen Story Hour, face painting, arts & crafts, etc.
Lastly, if you haven’t already, be sure to purchase your tickets to the Festival, to see our Lit Café and performances by Melissa Etheridge, King Princess, Snow Tha Product, Kim Chi, Aquaria, Asia O’Hara, Mykki Blanco, and more! Check out more details about the SD Pride Festival and early-bird ticket pricing at https://sdpride.org/festival/
Happy 4thof July everybody. I hope to see you at San Diego Pride!
Mickey
“It’s about time! Update on Mickey’s Broad Awakening book events in Europe, Summer 2019” (3rd blog post ever by Mickey Brent)
Since I’ve only published two blog posts in two years, I figured it might be a good idea to write more frequent posts, like most people who have blogs, right? Once a year probably isn’t enough to keep readers informed of what’s going on in the entertaining and fast-paced world of writing, publishing, public speaking, etc.
So here goes: I’m in Europe now, recovering after presenting on very exciting panels at the 2019 Bold Strokes Books UK Festival in Nottingham, England. This year was as fun as ever, with a nice group of authors from Bold Strokes Books, as well as some friendly independent authors and extremely enthusiastic readers.
After two full days of author readings and panels at the Waterstones bookstore in Nottingham, we shared heaps of delicious food and local craft beer in two British pubs nearby, the Pit and Pendulum and The New Foresters.
Now that I’m relaxed, tonight, June 14th, I will be presenting and signing my latest novel, Broad Awakening, the sequel to Underwater Vibes, released in October, 2018 by Bold Strokes Books. This literary event will take place at Cook & Book, in Brussels, Belgium at 6pm.
Then, on Sunday, June 16that 3pm, I will be on stage with prolific author Janae Keyes at Waterstones Brussels. Our presentation is called “Romance Outside the Lines” because she’s an author of interracial romance and I write multicultural, LGBTQ romantic fiction. After this exciting weekend, I will return to the USA to appear at several upcoming literary events in June and July. But let’s save the details for a future blog post—hopefully, in a few weeks, instead of next year!
“Fun times for an American author gearing up for the 2019 BSB UK Book Festival in Nottingham, England”
I’m excited to be participating in the 2019 Bold Strokes Books UK Festival this June in Nottingham, England. Last year was a blast! I hadn’t been to England since I was in college, many moons ago, and England had certainly changed—to my liking!
First of all, it wasn’t raining cats and dogs, like it was in those days, when I’d lugged my heavy backpack toward cheap youth hostels tucked away in tiny towns on cobblestoned streets. At last year’s festival in Nottingham we had three solid days of fun and sunshine—the kind warranting sunglasses, floppy hats, and sun lotion.
“Darn, I should’ve packed my parasol,” I told myself. Just kidding. I want to protect my skin, but I’m a lesbian author, and most lesbians I know would rather show off their half-hairy legs at an outdoor café rather than sit sweating under a frilly parasol. But all kinds of lesbians exist, and I certainly don’t want to generalize, especially since I’ve been moderating author panels on authentic representation of LGBTQ+ characters in fiction.
I was even punched in the nose after my last panel in California, but I’m sure it was an accident. I decided to consult a friend with psychic talents afterwards, just to be sure, and when she relived the scene in her head, with her eyes closed, and nodded, confirming that ‘yes,’ it was most certainly an accident, I was relieved.
“Nowadays, young guys don’t know their strength,” I was told by some elderly ladies at my gym. When they hug another guy to say “Hey, dude!” they just might make a fist and accidentally punch an unsuspecting lesbian author in a library who had just wrapped up an LGBTQ+ panel as she was exiting the elevator to sign her books. Instead of signing my books, however, I—the unsuspecting lesbian author—was desperately searching for an ice pack, because the punch came with a simultaneous ‘crack!’ and I instantly tasted blood.
Luckily, I’d signed a waiver stating that all injuries and dismemberment were not the fault of the festival organizers, and my nose is still relatively straight—basically, the only straight thing about me. So, I didn’t end up signing many books, but I did feel fortunate that my nose wasn’t broken, and that it was all an accident, according to my psychic friend.
I’m all set to get on stage again at the 2019 BSB book festival in Nottingham this June—much more aware of my surroundings, however—to entertain our BSB fans from the UK and reveal my latest book, Broad Awakening, the sequel to Underwater Vibes.
It’s funny, I’d planned to write about how English cuisine had significantly improved since I’d last visited England as a curious student backpacker from the USA. I’d planned to write about spicy, mushed peas, and how delicious they’d become, but I’ve run out of space.
Perhaps I’ll get to it in my next blog post for the 2020 BSB UK Book Festival, which I’m certainly planning to attend. Looking forward to having fun with you all in Nottingham!
Bold Strokes Books blog post for April, 2018 – “Random drugstore conversation and travelling to Nottingham” by Mickey Brent
I stopped at my local drugstore yesterday to pick up a three-pronged converter for my electronic devices for my upcoming trip overseas. As I waited in line to pay (in the queue, in British English), I was wondering if I’d selected the correct one for the United Kingdom.
There were many three-pronged converters available and it could’ve been any one of them. Just then, I heard a woman’s voice behind me say, “I’m from England.” I thought she had overheard my thoughts. Perhaps I had wondered out loud?
When I turned around, I saw an older woman talking to the man behind her in line—not me. As soon as their conversation ended, I met her deep blue eyes. This was more than a coincidence. I’d been to this drugstore hundreds of times, and I’d never bought a travel converter for England, and I’d never met someone who could read my thoughts.
“Not that I was listening or anything, but did you just say you were from England?”
She returned my gaze and spoke with a fairly strong, British accent. “I certainly did.”
I happen to live in Southern California, where many people in the world think we have southern accents. But here, of course, we assume everyone else in the world speaks differently. Not us. Her clipped accent sounded exotic. I was starting to really look forward to my upcoming trip. With that in mind, I quickly showed her my converter.
“I’m going to England in three weeks and I need to buy one of these. Do you know if this is the right one?”
She inspected it carefully. Was that nostalgia I saw in her eyes? She flashed me a warm, reassuring smile. “Yes, honey, that’ll do just fine. Where are you going to England, if I may ask?”
My intuition told me she probably moved to Southern California a while ago. The reputation I’d heard about British people was that they could be a bit standoffish. She certainly wasn’t.
“Nottingham,” I replied.
“Nottingham?” Her eyes opened wide as she held her chest. “I’m from Nottingham. Why are you going there, of all places?”
“I’m going to a book festival. I’m presenting my new book.”
She cracked a wide smile. “Oh, you’re a writer?”
I nodded. I love it when people ask this question. Though years ago, I hated that question. I didn’t know how to answer it. It seemed so personal. I was perpetually struggling with the craft of writing, taking classes while working on stories, articles, and manuscripts. Now that I had published my first book with Bold Strokes Books, and the sequel was on its way, I had a different perspective.
Her blue eyes lit up. “Lovely. What kind of books do you write?”
I gulped, wondering what she’d think of me now. “LGBTQ fiction. Contemporary lesbian romance, mainly.”
Her eyes widened even more. To my relief, they started to sparkle. “I see,” she said. “That’s fantastic.”
She seemed sincere. I certainly hoped so. I never know what people are going to say when I tell them what my writing genre is. I feel so lucky I’ve found a great home with my publisher, Bold Strokes Books. Everyone is professional, inclusive, and friendly. I was really looking forward to our BSB Book Festival in Nottingham and I hardly thought I’d be explaining it to a stranger—from Nottingham no less—in my local Southern California drugstore.It was my turn in line. I bought my travel converter and sadly bid her farewell.
“Have a wonderful trip, love.” She sounded convincing. Just like an eager tour guide. “You’ll enjoy Nottingham. Especially the tea!”