Friday, August 17, 2018

BLOG RELAUNCH & COVER REVEAL EVENT

Welcome to the "Deliciously Wicked" blog relaunch and cover reveal event!



Intro

In 2008, I was shopping in Giant Eagle with my partner, R, and Don Henley's "The Boys of Summer" started playing over the store PA. At the time I was posting stories pretty regularly on Literotica under the screen name "WickedWendyDru." As I listened to the song, I got the idea to create a story loosely based on the lyrics, a story that would be about summer love and the nostalgia associated with summers as a kid. That amorphous idea became the series "Dust & Ash," which turned out to be my most popular and most read series on Literotica. 

Over the next few years, I grew dissatisfied with Literotica (for many reasons, but mostly because they were having plagiarism problems). I transferred "Dust & Ash" over to a new site, Gay Authors, and began the arduous process of editing and rewriting it, even as the serial continued to grow and won awards. Several times I was sure the series was going to be traditionally published, but each time that goal got close enough to touch, it slipped through my fingers.

In 2014, "Dust & Ash" got put on hold while I dealt with a series of unfortunate events. Our family home was seized through eminent domain and we had to move. R was diagnosed with end-stage bone cancer. In 2015, my girlfriend K was diagnosed with stage 4 endometrial cancer. I ended up writing a short story for a charity anthology that released in June 2016 ("Stardust, Always"), the proceeds of which went to cancer research. That turned out to be ironic, as I was then diagnosed with metastatic thyroid cancer. So in three short years, three of us at the House That Love Built ended up going through the soul-numbing process of surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation. K and I made it. R, sadly, did not.

His death pretty much devastated me. We'd been together for twelve years. We were handfasted. If you believe in the concept of soulmates (and I do), he was one of mine. I wrote nothing for a year.

But he'd made me promise him I'd publish, and that promise weighed pretty heavily on me. I didn't want to write, or edit, and I certainly didn't want to tackle the huge realm of self-publishing by myself. Enter Grace R. Duncan.

Grace and I worked together on the Free Fiction Friday project, and after the 2016 elections, she put together a charity anthology for The Trevor Project and GLAAD ("Resist & Triumph"). I ended up writing a story for it and editing it, and during the process of putting it together, Grace learned about my promise. She's spent most of the last year and a half gently but firmly guiding me towards...


TODAY!

The cover reveal for the first book of The Dust & Ash Saga, The Boys of Summer!



Isn't it glorious?? The cover was designed by Lex Valentine at Winterheart and features the character Dustin. 

The saga will be a set of six novels, including the never-before-published conclusion to the story of Dust & Ash. Each novel will feature a different character on the cover. Though the "original" story will continue to be available on Gay Authors (in the Premium area), the novels will feature new material as well as tighter, more cohesive storylines.

So here's how this is going to work. The Cover Reveal Event will last until Sunday night. On Monday, the novel will be available for pre-order on both Amazon and Smashwords. The official release date for The Boys of Summer is Friday, August 31, 2018.

Official Blurb for The Boys of Summer:

Ash Redvers, the lead singer of a family owned and operated wedding band, deals with the sudden need to replace his drummer after an unexpected accident. When Dustin Davis shows up ready, willing, and able to play - not to mention gorgeous - Ash thinks it's going to be the best season yet. But Ash has never had a boyfriend, and Dust isn't willing to be a quick hookup. As the summer heats up, they'll have to decide whether all they can make together is music, or if there's something more for them after the Boys of Summer are gone.

I'M SO EXCITED!!

Seriously, this has been ten years in the making. Not so long ago, I wasn't even sure that I'd be here now, much less be publishing D&A on my own. It's scary and exhilarating and absolutely wonderful... And I really love sharing it with all of you, especially those of you who've been around since the beginning.

To show that appreciation in a more tangible way, there are prizes to win during this event, and there will be more prizes to win over Labor Day weekend during the release event. Here are the details!

*The relaunch/cover event will run from noon on Friday, August 17, 2018 until midnight on Sunday, August 19, 2018. 

*To be eligible to win prizes, you must leave a comment on the post that includes 1.) Your favorite thing about summer, and 2.) your email address.

*Full list of winners will be posted on the blog, and winners will be contacted to claim their prizes by August 31, 2018.

Thanks so much to all of my readers and especially to the amazing team of people who helped make this possible: Grace R. Duncan, Joe Bone (aka Mr. Grace), Tricia Kristufek, Sweet D, and Lex Valentine. You guys are rock stars in your own right, and I'm so grateful to you all.

LEAVE A COMMENT to win, PRE-ORDER on Monday, and come on back AUGUST 31 for more prizes!!





17 comments:

  1. There's only one thing I love about summer and that is the family cookouts we have....always fun getting together with the ones that you love.

    fallen_angel_2473@yahoo.com

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    Replies
    1. Hey Angela! My family has a reunion every year for the Fourth of July, which usually includes celebrating my birthday. I look forward to that every year!

      Thanks for commenting. The preorder links are up, but don’t forget to check back on the 31st for a list of prize winners!

      Be Well ~
      Tux

      Delete
  2. What I like about summer going to the beach and watching the men ;)
    boypolman@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Boy!

      I’m not a huge fan of the beach (the spouse refers to it as “Nature’s Toilet”) but when a I lived in LA I loved going to Venice Beach or the Santa Monica Pier. And yes, scoping the hot men was lovely. I kept a 6 ft python at the time, and I used to wear her around my neck there. Great conversation starter. LOL

      Thanks for commenting! The preorder links for D&A have gone live, and don’t forget to check back here on the 31st for a list of prize winners!

      Be Well~
      Tux

      Delete
  3. Congrats! I've been following you since around 2008 and waiting for this day as well, so I'm so happy for you that all of your hard work finally got you here!

    I think my favorite thing about summer (which is September -October where I live) is that it has some of my favorite weather. Nice and warm with a cool breeze to keep it comfortable.

    volunteerwilliams16@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ahh! I have no name for you, and I don’t recognize your email addy. Pretty sure I know you, though, if you’ve been with me from the start. Thank you!

      It’s kind of funny. My memories of summer as a kid are of perfect days. Now that I’m officially old, the heat and humidity just make me wilt. I’ve become a creature of comfort, and hide in the AC.

      Thanks for commenting! The preorder links are live, and I’ll post a list of prize winners here on the 31st. Check back!

      Be Well~
      Tux

      Delete
  4. I am so excited for this release and to find out what happens to Dust and Ash. I followed you over from Literotica to Gay Authors, and I am *SO* happy for you!

    Honestly, the best thing about summer is the end. Heat and I are NOT friends!

    Hope Vincent
    Flatearthediting2@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Hope!

      I’m pretty excited myself. This entire adventure has been crazy. I’m so privileged to be surrounded by talented people.

      Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. The preorder links are up, and if you check back here on the 31st, I’ll have a list of prize winners posted!

      Be Well~
      Tux

      Delete
  5. I am shallow and there is a running trail near my house where there is A LOT of people running with no shirts or tiny workout clothes. Also, I live in FL so it’s pretty much summer 360 days a year.

    Also, I think I am super excited for this series. This is one of the first M/M that I read. It taught me it’s ok to be me!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. My Carrie-Girl,

      I now have a vision of you and I wearing big sun hats while we sit in lawn chairs sipping spiked iced tea and watching the runners. *grin* We should work to make that happen.

      Thanks for commenting. The preorder page is posted. I’m also doing posts every Monday featuring all the music from the books. Today’s is - of course - “The Boys of Summer.”

      Be Well Carebear~
      Tux

      Delete
  6. The thing I most love about summer is whenever it’s 3-4 am and it’s still humid but there’s this breeze and the smell is just nostalgic.
    vidah0204@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I’ve been following you since you were on Literotica and I just want to say I love Dust & Ash so so much so I’m really glad it’s coming out as a book.

      Delete
    2. Hey Vida!

      I know *exactly* what smell you’re talking about!!! Yes! It’s an amazing scent, like green growing things and humidity and darkness all rolled up in one.

      Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. The preorder post is up, and you should see check back here on the 31st for the list of prize winners!

      Be Well~
      Tux

      Delete
  7. Congrats, Tucker! I'm so looking forward to this release! My favorite thing about summer is leaving the windows open and getting a good breeze.

    sabrinasmadrina@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello!

      Oh, I remember open windows. Now that I’m well ensconced in adulthood, I live in AC all summer. But as a kid, our house wasn’t air-conditioned. I used to lay in my bed and stare out the window at the apple tree that grew right next to the house. The breeze coming in always smelled like apples.

      Thanks for commenting! The preorder page is up, and I’ll be posting a list of prize winners on the 31st. Stop back!

      Be Well~
      Tux

      Delete
  8. So excited for you and all of your loyal followers! I had almost given up all hope of ever knowing what happens with D&A...and will anxiously await the release of each novel. Looking forward to reading this awesome saga again,from the beginning to the long awaited end!

    My favorite things about summer are the scents and flavors. The sweet smell of coconut from Hawaiian Tropic at the beach, the sweet deliciousness of just picked strawberries. Tomato sandwiches made with tomatoes warm from the summer sun or food cooking on the grill. The flavor of a juicy watermelon. And S'mores with marshmallows cooked over the coals, lightly toasted....I could go on but I am getting hungry!

    Congrats Tucker aka King of Awesomeness!

    SugarLips.n.nc@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey lady! Nice to hear from you!

      You should write for a food blog. Damn woman. My stomach started growling when I read your comment!

      So, as part of my blog relaunch and to help promote the D&A saga, I’ll be posting up Dustin’s recipes - one every Wednesday. We’ll see if I can make food sound as good as you did!

      Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I’ve missed you. The preorder page is live, and on the 31st, I’ll post a list of prize winners. Stop back!

      Be Well~
      Tux

      Delete