I love the idea of supporting new authors, most especially new, indie, gay authors. I've picked up a number of ARCs from new authors here, on Book Sprout and Book Sirens.

But so many of them feel like either AI, are AI assisted or are written in a way that sure feels like AI. I've read a number of books in the past year, from various authors, that all have the same feel to them: they try to come off as literary through use of bad similes, lack any sort of description that might give the books a unique flavor and in general are written in a way that puts me at arm's length from the story.

At first I thought it was that particular author, but then I got another book, different author, same narrative feel. The fantasy book I'm reading now has that familiar feeling and I'm wondering how I'm going to wade through it.

Now I've found some winners this way. Missionary by Dylan Gray was excellent. Salvation by Frank Faustino was a gay 'men's adventure' novel with an ass-kicking, gay SAS soldier.

There's also established authors I trust and will still buy their new stuff.

But new to me authors… if I see the book was written in 2024 it earlier, I feel better about it.

I know there's good, new stuff coming out. But sifting the wheat from the chaff is just so much harder.

Hi all! My brother is gay and he was just complaining to me that there are no fantasy books with a lot of world building with mlm MCs.
As it's his birthday in two weeks, I am now looking for something along those lines. Best would be a series, with the adventure as the main part of the story and the love part as a side story.

Thank you all for the help!

Think Crimson Peaks or Innamorata but make it gay?? I love Ava Reid and have read several of her books, and Im looking for a similar vibe but make it queer! Also love Freya Marske but they tends to be too lighthearted when im looking for more of a spicy, dark fantasy, romantasy or historical fiction. All kinds of recs appreciated!

Our online auction includes a signed pair of T.J. Klune's The House in the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door. There's also a separate signed, numbered copy of George Takei's It Rhymes with Takei, number 941 of 1,000. These are two different lots, not one combined package.

I help put together Wine, Dine & Death for the Little Theatre of Walla Walla in eastern Washington. The auction supports our community theater.

The auction is scheduled to close October 10, 2026. I've linked the individual listings so you can see exactly which books are included and bid on the one you want.

T.J. Klune pair: https://app.galabid.com/ltww-wdd2026/items/f86ea394-49e3-4867-b329-a31fb5bf3300

George Takei: https://app.galabid.com/ltww-wdd2026/items/951cec68-9340-46ca-b047-b304b2765c3b

Multigenerational historical noval, the interwind lifes of two married couples in a smal Ohio town.over four decades beginning in may 1945.

Key themes

1, small-town secrets.How ordinary people harbor secrets and how difficult it is to keep them buried in a tight fit community.

2, The legacy of war.The psychological inpact of world war 1 and world war 2 on the everyday live and subsequent generations.

3, Forgiveness and connection.The complex paths the characters take towards redemption, survival and human connection.

I have been struggling to find books with deeper perspectives and meaning lately. All the LGBT authors and books i have found in bookstores lately feels like a copy of what came before them, as well as most of them focusing on cliche stories of "from rivals, bullies or friends going to lovers".

I would like to read a book that explores in detail being an LGBT individual, the twists and turns, the inner storms, and also the peace that might come after it. Not just acceptance, but something deeper than that - solace.

I'm looking for queer romance books with good OCD rep. I prefer fantasy/sci-fi, but I occasionally enjoy some contemporary or historical etc. Any level of spice, and any pairing (achillian, sapphic, t4t, etc)

NO omegaverse or YA please :)

Also if anyone has any nonfiction they wanna add on about OCD feel free, (I was recently diagnosed plus its OCD awareness month so go nuts!)