Seems like most of my stuff can qualify for a #ThrowbackThursday post these days, at least if you squint just a little. All but a couple are more than a year old. But we’re going way back today when you consider the original editions of the short stories included in Snapshots.
The collection came out in February, 2017, but nine of the eleven short stories included within it date back to 2008, one dates back to 2009, and the most recent one dates back to 2016.
Those earliest nine had generic covers that Torquere Press used for their “Sips” and “Taste Tests,” but the three covers you get a glimpse of in my banner came from my second, self-published editions. I reworked/reedited the stories a bit in those second editions, and more again before their inclusion in Snapshots.
Only Okay, Then, the most recent of the short stories in Snapshots and King Kong vs. The Skinny Pirate are also available individually (KKvTSP is free!). The other nine can now only be found in this collection.
Cow Pie Bingo
- The first edition of Cow Pie Bingo was published in ebook format on April 10, 2008 at Torquere Press.
- The second edition was published in ebook format on April 10, 2010 at Smashwords.
Blurb:
Evan lets a co-worker talk him into working a kissing booth at a charity fair. Not quite sure what to expect, he certainly doesn’t count on meeting Gary, or kissing a man, considering his past. Kissing is what he ends up doing, though, along with playing cow pie bingo for a good cause. Will Gary end up being more than a six-ticket ride?
King Kong vs. The Skinny Pirate
- The first edition of King Kong vs. The Skinny Pirate was published in ebook and print formats on April 13, 2009 at eXcessica in the Like Magnets, We Attract anthology, edited by Jaye Valentine.
- The second edition was published in ebook format on October 8, 2009 at Smashwords.
- The third edition is available (as of February 18, 2017) in ebook format as a free single in addition to being a part of this boxed set.
Blurb:
Blaine is a well-dressed, high priced attorney, and George is a hairy mountain of an auto mechanic. This odd couple meets up one evening on a slow night at a bar. The pickings are slim. Slim enough for these opposites to eyeball each other and ask themselves just how bad they want to get laid.
Pleasantly surprised by the evening’s outcome, Blaine is faced with a dilemma. Should he throw caution to the wind and pursue George, or steer clear of that unexpected distraction to his carefully structured life?
Born to Be Wild
- The first edition of Born to Be Wild was published in ebook format on August 16, 2008 at Torquere Press.
- The second edition was published in ebook format on October 5, 2009 at Smashwords, and added the bonus “Goin’ Steady” scene.
Blurb:
Roland is always willing to help a neighbor, so when the guys from the fraternity next door ask if he and his gay buddies will play a trick on a new pledge, he happily agrees. When Roland happens to discover that new pledge Fisher is not as uptight as he’s been told, he starts to think maybe the joke is on him. Determined to turn the tables, Roland surprises Fisher with more than he bargained for. Will the plan backfire, or work out just like Roland had planned?
The Straggler
- The first edition of The Straggler was published in ebook format on November 26, 2008 at Torquere Press in the Taste Test: Shades of Autumn anthology, edited by Mychael Black.
- The second edition was published in ebook format on November 29, 2010 at Smashwords.
Blurb:
Blake is a “straggler” at a golf course looking to join a threesome for a round of golf. He isn’t happy when he’s assigned to join Frank Miller, a workaholic cutthroat VP at the company where he works, and the man’s two nutty friends. Has Blake misjudged Frank? Maybe he isn’t such a bad guy after all. He is rather hot.
Now and Forever
- The first edition of Now and Forever was published in ebook format on September 13, 2008 at Torquere Press.
- The second edition was published in ebook format on January 25, 2010 at Smashwords.
Blurb:
Darryl and Warren have been together twelve years, when their home state of California legalizes same sex marriages. Darryl figures Warren should plan the wedding reception, but they disagree on how much party is too much. Darryl bites his tongue and gives Warren free rein, although he really wants something small and cozy. Will Warren be able to give Darryl what he needs?
Moving On
- The first edition of Moving On was published in ebook format on October 31, 2008 at Torquere Press.
- The second edition was published in ebook format on October 31, 2009 at Smashwords.
Blurb:
On Halloween, Graeme accompanies the love of his life, Brandt, to the annual costume party. This year, though, Brandt isn’t dancing with Graeme, he’s dancing with a handsome stranger, and Graeme couldn’t be happier. On the most mysterious night of the year Graeme has one chance to give his beloved the best gift of all and he makes the most of it, from the first dance to the final farewell.
Moving Along
- The first edition of Moving Along was published in ebook format on December 20, 2008 at Torquere Press.
- The second edition was published in ebook format on December 20, 2009 at Smashwords.
Blurb:
Mark and Brandt have been dating since the night they shared on Halloween, the night that helped Brandt move on after losing his beloved Graeme. Now, it’s their first Christmas together, and while Brandt is trying to decide whether or not he’s in love with Mark, Mark has a gift for Brandt to help move their relationship along. Christmas morning holds more than one wonderful surprise for them as they discover the joys of sharing, in this sequel to the short story Moving On.
Dropping Quarters
- The first edition of Dropping Quarters was published in ebook format on September 6, 2008 at Torquere Press.
- The second edition was published in ebook format on October 5, 2009 at Smashwords.
Blurb:
Luke’s looking for love in all the wrong places. When he meets Cato at an adult video arcade, then again at his softball league game, Luke figures they might have something in common. Can Luke convince Cato that there’s more to him than meets the eye?
Nevermore
- The first edition of Nevermore was published in ebook format on July 16, 2008 at Torquere Press in the Taste Test: A Day at the Beach anthology, edited by Mychael Black.
- The second edition was published in ebook format on November 29, 2009 at Smashwords.
Blurb:
As a divorced teacher with small children Ted has gotten more comfortable than he’d like to be in a self-imposed closet. Will his lover’s relaxed outlook and discovery of Ted’s true identity help Ted see the light?
Photo Shoot
- The first edition of Photo Shoot was published in ebook format on November 29, 2008 at Torquere Press.
- The second edition was published in ebook format on November 29, 2009 at Smashwords.
Blurb:
Eddie’s a good guy who’d do anything for a friend, especially Trent, but that good-nature is sorely tested when Trent asks Eddie to be the model for a nude photo shoot. Trent’s grades depend on it, so of course Eddie agrees. It’s not easy being naked in front of the guy he wants. There are so many ways he could make a fool of himself. Why does Trent want to take pictures of him, and why does it seem that Eddie’s not the only one blushing?
Okay, Then
The first edition of Okay, Then was published in ebook format on July 30, 2016 at JMS Books, LLC in the Love Is Proud charity anthology. The anthology was also published in print format on July 31, 2016 at JMS Books, LLC.
This second edition of Okay, Then was also published in ebook format on July 9, 2017 at JMS Books, LLC in the Vows Box Set, and individually as a JMS Books “Hot Flash” shorty on February 9, 2019.
Blurb:
Revisiting the main characters from ’Til Death Do Us Part, this short story takes place within the timeline of the flashback scenes from that novel, detailing Sam & Henry’s first date/encounter after Sam tells Henry “Okay, then” while they’re together on a research trip in Honiara in the Solomon Islands. It a short story written to be able to stand alone, with its own HFN.