I am still processing the amazing time I had at FanExpo Denver 2024. I made some new friends, saw some old ones, and hawked books with two of my best friends, awesome authors Barbara Ann Wright and James Persichetti. There was incredible cosplay, including two from Mass Effect that I really should have gotten pictures with.
Most importantly, I got to see and meet fans of my books, including some who have been touched by my characters, and that was everything.
We had a joyous panel on queer media where we got to talk about the amazing representation that’s out there. We shared some of our favorite books, games, shows, and films that have heroes who love and live like us. I could not stop grinning, but all of that joy is tainted by the growing shadow of book bans and a looming fear about the future of democracy and censorship in America.
I woke up around three am this morning, and for once it wasn’t from the cat wanting attention or food. I had one very solid thought: Dark times are ahead. You can make them lighter if you vote.
That’s the first thing I posted everywhere today, and I did it partly because yes, I’m worried that all the progress we’ve made when it comes to LGBTQ, race, and women’s rights in America will be erased if we don’t all act, all stand together.
I know the system is not perfect. I know it’s not a cab that will get us to our destination, but it is a bus in the right direction and I’d rather get closer than go nowhere, or worse, backwards, which is absolutely what is at stake in November. They’re not hiding it, and not enough people are talking about it.
I’m mostly writing this because I met an amazing family this weekend. I saw a queer kid who reminded me way too much of my younger self and a father completely unlike mine, doing his best to understand, support, and love his child. I want them to have the best future they can. They can’t have that if I sit on the sidelines or let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
I thought about making this post something artsy, weaving in anecdotes about the years I took the bus because that was all I could afford. I could tell you about the secret city I saw, the one off the main streets and how that influenced my take on the Spirit Realm. The ride was never perfect. It never got me to my front door, but it took me in right direction.
Maybe someday, when I’m less worried, I’ll write that, or tell you that story, but for now I’m asking you to take the bus with me. I’m asking you to vote.
This is heart wrenchingly spot on and beautiful. The best thing we as adults can do is try to make this world easier and more understanding than the hell hole we grew up in. Trauma does not have to be a generational curse, and I’m SO thankful you’re using your platform to spread love and compassion.
Queer fiction got me through some tough times. There was so little of it available when I was growing up, same for other media representation. So frequently if there were ever gay characters, they were stereotypes and often the butt of the jokes. The first time I read a fantasy novel where the main character was a gay teen boy just like I was at the time it blew my mind. I had been raised on sci-fi and fantasy, but had never seen myself reflected in the stories. Absolutely life-changing to find characters more like me in good stories of the flavors I appreciate most. Your books will also be that life changer for some young folks, so keep doing what you’re doing! Have loved all of your books so far so keep em coming!
Right there on the bus with you, ballot in hand.
I cannot agree more and i sincerely hope you will continue with my literal favorite book series. The Adam Binder series is exactly what i wish i could have read as a teenage guy stuck in a rural Oregon town where being different for you beaten up, humiliated or both. I’m really looking forward to seeing whether our heroes find thier happy ending.
P.s one of the things i most appreciate is that you keep the sexy stuff to a minimum so that young people could actually read it and not have their views of physical intimacy skewed by excessive lust and objectification. I really just want the love and affection to be explored, i don’t need to read every gory detail of the mc’s bedroom activities. Lol😄 so thank you for keeping it classy!
Hey David thanks for posting this. You’re so right. Things are quite scary on many levels. The more we lift up the positive, while also putting the scary stuff in the light by talking about it, the better. Thanks for all you do and yes, I’m prepped to vote!
😢 I teared up a little reading this. Coincidentally, I was overhearing my co-workers this morning say they weren’t going to vote because whoever they chose would make the worst decisions for our country. This is ironic considering this is coming from people is a law office.
In my opinion, every person or proposition we vote for is going to have some idea or aspect we don’t agree with. You’re right that all the progress we made in this country may regress based on what happens in November. It would be terrible for books to be banned and the rights of women, the LGBTQA+ community, and races were to be taken away or diminished. For me, as a member of all 3 categories and an avid book lover, I would be devastated. This would inevitably force me to make the decision to leave the country I call home.
Thanks for writing this David. I’ll be sure to share it with my friends and colleagues.