ken barber

David McLeod's Three Worlds
Owen Hudson's  Dreams Don't Grow on Trees
Jandar Tyr's  The Dragons of Keanna
Charles Bird's The Boy
Charles Bird's Tug Boat Captain

some great reads. Perfect for a rainy night in New England, thank you to all the authors

I have been asked to sit on a Gay Authors and Allies discussion Panel in November. Anyone that is in the Rhode Island or South Eastern Mass area can join us. One of my best friends is hosting the event and there will be time to chat and meet during the event.
 
https://www.facebook.com/events/288184395010816/?acontext={"ref"%3A"108"%2C"action_history"%3A"null"}

I am not opposed to this I think it might be a good idea I am concerned with the sustainability of getting reviews done for the selected pieces. In the past trying to get members to be active continuously has been an exercise in futility and more often than not its the same members doing all the work over and over again. So I am open to the discussion and to see if we can get some interest. 

Thanks for the input everyone. As Allen stated we have been notified that certain links do not work with certain browsers, other have issues with certain devices types for some its the  operating system.  On the front page slider bar, the picture, the book title and the read more are all links try each one as they do take you to different locations. (author story page, chapter 1 of story, synopsis page for the story.) We will keep working on this and hopefully get it sorted. 

He got what he deserved!
 

We have decided to relaunch the popular program Reader's Choice.
This is how its going to work.
1. We will accept any nominations from forum members.
2. If there are not at least 5 nominations then we will do a random word search on the new site and take the top listed stories as the remaining nominations.
3. The list will be posted here in this thread right before the first update of the Month 
4. Forum Members will have the entire month to vote on the stories.
5. The story with the most votes will be presented as the Reader's Choice of the Next Month. 
 

Here we go the Reader's Choice Candidates for November
Remember to read all five stories before voting.
Voting will end on October 31 2017
Comments are welcome and have fun
 
Affair of a Foreign Nature by Hans Schreiber
Navigator by Cynus
Jack and Trevor by Eric Aune
Quarry by Driver
Unfinished Symphony by Alan Dwight

We have decided to relaunch the popular program Reader's Choice.
This is how its going to work.
1. We will accept any nominations from forum members.
2. If there are not at least 5 nominations then we will do a random word search on the new site and take the top listed stories as the remaining nominations.
3. The list will be posted here in this thread right before the first update of the Month 
4. Forum Members will have the entire month to vote on the stories.
5. The story with the most votes will be presented as the Reader's Choice of the Next Month. 
 

Since there seems to be no one place to talk to all the authors or comment on several stories in the universe, I decided to try a topic here.
The first thing I wanted to do was to say that you all have created a very real, too real or overly grim, place and do a great job with it. I wish that there was a guide to show which chapters should be read in which order to get the time line in context. It seems that some of the things may not be in perfect order in a few of the chapters of some of the stories. That being said, the fact that there is any order at all is amazing, considering how much you have to keep track of.
One thing that I MUST say is that if Adam and Bucky are truly dead, I will protest and scream at someone. There have been way too many people killed already and I know you want real, but there is such a thing as taking it too far. Yes I understand killing off characters, but killing off hybrids and main characters seems to be a bit much, since there are very few hybrids to begin with and with main characters you may kill off someone that some readers may be invested in. You run the risk of keeping folks from connecting to your characters at all.
I am glad to see that characters from geek squad, unit and Metamorphosis are starting to combine in some of the stories, as I have thought that having many of them in the same place would truly be a major help for some time now.
You all are doing an amazing job on these stories and I appreciate all the hard work you do!!!
 

Thanks,
I would have to say, that keep it all in some semblance of order is a big task.  For the authors it takes a lot of work and constant communications between us.  But and it's a big but, it is also the editors who work behind the scenes to help keep everything straight for us.  With content editors and continuity editor and editor editors and English professor editors, and punctuation experts, etc, going over every chapter of every story with a fine tooth comb, it would be well nigh impossible to keep the stories straight.  Even with all of that, sometimes a last minute rewrite is needed to keep it in line with the rest of the stories.  We work hard along with the editors to make sure that one author doesn't write something that messes up another's story.
A big part is lots of communications in the background helps us to make it work.
I'm glad you enjoy them and as Ken said you are not the first who has given us a tongue lashing for things like that. 

Thank you William.
Suicide should not be an option but unfortunately, sometimes many feel so trapped they cannot see a way out. This applies to more than just the Mormon Church, look what is happening in Chechnya right now, or even still close to home.
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in people 10-24 in the US
The rate of suicide attempts is 4x higher in LGBTQ youth
LGBTQ Youth that come from Baptist, Morman, and other evangalical families are 8.4x more likely to attempt suicide than LGBTQ youth from families that follow other religions or no religion at all.
Once again if your reading this and you have considered Suicide or are considering it please stop and talk to someone. A trusted friend, a therapist, a advocacy group, a teacher or a guidance counselor, send me a private message and I will help you get the resources you need. 
I promise it gets better,
Here are a couple resources you can reach out to
www.trevorproject.org
     hotline- 866-488-6386
www.itgetsbetter.org
The National Suicide hotline 800-273-8255
The Youth Pride Hotline 800-246-7743
YOU ARE IMPORTANT AND YOU ARE VALUED!!!!!!!!!!
 
 

Cynus,
I have been extremely busy lately and haven't been paying attention to the forums. I now see my folly. This really hit home as I am also a gay ex-Mormon. 
I too lived with struggle of how do I prove I am worthy. Or question if I am truly worthy of love. The brainwashing we underwent goes so deep we will live with it for the rest of our lives, it haunts us but we must always fight it and win. 
As a teenager, the pressure placed on me to show how devout I was, was so great, knowing in my heart I was gay, I fully intended to commit suicide. I had it all planned out, but a couple weeks before I meet someone, not a love interest or anything like that leave those fantasies to the fiction. I was a sophomore in High School and my family decided to adopt a little boy from a friend of one of my older brothers. This young woman was in a bad place in her life, drugs, alcohol, she was 19 years old and had 3 kids by 3 different fathers, (Keep in mind this is 1989) That little boy stole my heart and when the day came for me to do it I got up to go to school. I was planning the deed for after school. Before I go further you need to understand that nothing else was wrong in my life. I was a good student, I was an athlete, I had lots of friends and an active social life, But I was gay and I was a Mormon. So any way the day arrived and I got up for school very resolute. I got ready said my cheerful good mornings. Grabbed my stuff and started heading out the door when this little boy grabs my hand and stops me and looks me in the eyes and says, "I need you to play with after school because I love you." I reached down and hugged him and promised him I would play with him after school." I got to the bus stop turned around and went home and told my mom I was staying home from school to get to know my little brother more. My mom didn't argue because I never missed school. As a matter of fact she decided to go out with her sister for a bit so I could have time with him. 
I have never told him this story but he saved my life. 
That day was the day I slowly started to extract myself from the church. It took a long time and was a horrible process but today I know I am I know what I am worth. No one can tell me different.
 
It Gets Better I promise. If your Reading this and the thought even crosses you mind stop and talk to someone outside the church please. You are worthy and you can be loved.

I have had the chance to speak to many Pride organizers this past weekend and really understand the move to add the two strips. I understand the resistance to it. The flag has been our rally symbol for 23 years. But unfortunately the fight for LGBTQ equality has focused on white gay men and lesbians for the past 23 years. Many LGBTQ people of color, latinos and trans people feel as though the flag does not represent them. They feel as though they have been left behind. 
Last year 17 trans people were brutally beaten to death and the community is not even aware. Trans people are forced too use bathrooms that make them uncomfortable or worse puts them in danger. 
People of color and Latino members of the LGBTQ community are harassed daily by police, the heterosexual world and even our own community on a daily basis. Some of the stories I heard this weekend right here in the liberal stronghold of the US were horrific. They do not see the flag as a rally cry or a symbol that represents them. 
I love the rainbow flag for what it stands for but it's not enough. So yes add the damn stripes and let the rest of community know we do in fact stand behind them. We will watch out for them. We welcome them in the fight for equality. 
Its time to take the fight to the next step and if we need a new or modified symbol to create awareness and to get people talking and motivated to rally together then I say run with it. 

Jeikor
From Trick to Treat: Book 2
Chapter 5

I would love to get some opinions on the recent push to change the Rainbow flag. The Flag was created to represent the unity within the LGBTQ community almost 25 years ago. It has been flown proudly at Pride Celebrations across the globe, it has adorned LGBTQ home, It has been flown at rally and marches.
There is a push to add two color stripes to the top of the flag. Black and Brown. This has caused a firestorm of debate withing the community. The two new stripes are meant to represent those left behind in our struggle for equality, namely people of color. Equality for the LGBTQ has come a long way but members of the LGBTQ that are also People of Color, Latino, Asian, Middle easterm, etc still suffer from gross injustices. We have left them behind. 
 

Arthur,
First my official Castle Roland Administrator line. "We cannot thank you enough for sharing this work with us. This story has had a profound effect on everyone that read it. Your commitment to detail and your unmatched story telling ability has created one if not the very best online story I have read. You have honored us greatly by allowing us to host this story for you."
 
Now my personal line "Please sir may I have some more." Arthur this has been an amazing adventure you took us all on. Thank you thank you thank you.

Arthur,
First my official Castle Roland Administrator line. "We cannot thank you enough for sharing this work with us. This story has had a profound effect on everyone that read it. Your commitment to detail and your unmatched story telling ability has created one if not the very best online story I have read. You have honored us greatly by allowing us to host this story for you."
 
Now my personal line "Please sir may I have some more." Arthur this has been an amazing adventure you took us all on. Thank you thank you thank you.

RO8M,
Thank you for answering my biggest question, now I know why my shoulder is aching; it seems to have a lot to do with the way my arm is being twisted behind my back "ouch"
I know that at some time the pressure to return to the story will get under my skin and I will relent and tell more but for now I need the break away so I can get to work on some of the other stuff I have rattling around in the space where my brain used to be; until then my thanks to you all for your generosity and following.
A

Jandar Tyr
Zarin Testa and the Andrake Academy
Death by a Bloody Moon
Chapter 77

It was a tough choice, but I chose fantasy for this pole. There's elements in fantasy that just get my attention. Also, in part, because I like to use reading to escape my real problems. Not sure what Urban Fantasy is other than Fantasy that takes place in an urban environment... So I just sort of mentally lumped it together with Fantasy.
If the story seems too much like something that I could actually do, it isn't fun. Yeah, it has to be realistic up to a point, but there's a line. But I will read Science Fiction and Action Adventure stories too.  It's hard, sometimes, to tell the line between genres.

THE CASTLE ROLAND COMMUNITY CHARTER
 
Castle Roland - when you say the name, you can visualize a mystical imposing fortress sitting atop a seaside cliff. The only approach is across a narrow causeway. Archers are on the battlements, mounted knights are preparing to charge the sieging army. Defendable, impregnable, unapproachable.
 
Let us dispel that vision. Castle Roland is a strong and powerful fortress, but one built on dreams and imagination; where the gates are always open and all are welcome. The drawbridge never raises and none are ever turned away.
 
"There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds." ― G.K. Chesterton
 
As a member of the Castle Roland Community, we have certain rights, as well as certain responsibilities. A Community is only ever as good as it's members and it requires us to work together to make the community be as good as it can be. We have created the 'Castle Roland Community Charter' for this purpose. This is meant to give members a basic introduction to what they can expect, as well as what responsibilities they have.
 
In every Community there are different roles that people play. Keep in mind, this is just a general list, and is dynamic and will grow as the community does.
 
Administrators:  Are responsible for the over layout and condition of the community. Think of them as the town council, they create the rules, events and general layout, as well as provide the needed support to everyone else.
 
Moderators: A moderator plays a vital role in establishing the pace and tone of a forum and guiding its conduct. The duties of moderators include facilitating introduction of participants in a forum, encouraging robust discussion of the forum’s agenda, maintaining order throughout the proceedings, ensuring that the interactions remain within the identified theme and for online forums. It includes editing, moving and even deleting postings. They also enforce the rules, there role is similar to Public Works, and Small town Police Department.
 
Authors: These are the people that write the stories hosted by the community. They work hard to create something that is entertaining to the readers. Because each member has unique likes on story and style, the stories offered cover a wide variety. Very similar to business owners and entrepreneurs in any town.
 
Readers: This is the single largest group.  These are the town residents, the citizens of our community. All of the other groups, are also readers. This group, has the most responsibility . While It's fine if people just want to come, read, and never say a word, but in order for the community to grow, in order for more authors to join us and the current authors to learn and grow, the readers need to participate in the community. The readers need to guide the Administrators in what they like and dislike about the community, offer suggestions and improvements. The Moderators use the participation to help develop conversations. And the Readers need to welcome new members to the community with open arms.
 
So welcome to The Castle Roland Community.

Whats the story and where can we find it?

Your welcome. I know the poll is a little weird and could have gone a lot further but well I had to limit it somehow so used the common genre list found on wikipedia and then paired it down a little so the poll would not be too long. Now I could after this poll is done take the top contenders and create a new poll with sub genres just to see what everyone thinks.
This poll seems like just a fun idea however it can be a tool for authors. there are a couple hundred (?) members on this forum. If only a small percentage prefer action adventure then I know my preferred writing genres is targeting a smaller audience and just maybe i might want to try my hand at something else.

How interesting during Gay Pride Month no less. Ireland has elected its first Gay Prime Minister. http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/prejudice-has-no-hold-in-this-republic-leo-varadkar-wins-fine-gael-leadership-battle-and-is-set-to-be-next-taoiseach-35781224.html

So its here again the month where we let our freak flags fly. The month we celebrate the battles we have won towards equality. This month you see rainbows flying everywhere. Parades of men in their underwear dancing to the latest beats, followed by drag queens draped in rainbow flags carrying rainbow parisols.
This celebration of the culture of the gay community is always met with controversy and this year is no different.
President Trump while saying he an ally of the LGBTQ community has parted ways with the tradition of the President issuing a proclamation that June is Gay Pride Month. This is completely symbolic and means nothing the celebration will continue regardless of the oompa lompa's lack of proclamation.
After last years massacre at Club Pulse in Orlando Florida states and cities have increased police and security presence at the events and  parades. This is not wanted by the gay community, too often the presence of police and state sponsored security dampens the celebration. Again the celebration will continue and most organizers in cities world wide have scheduled private events at private establishments where they have their own security protocols and as long as a law is not being broken Police have no reason to be there.
Some parades and festivals have become sponsored by major corporation even to the point of naming the event for the corporation. Gay Pride celebrations have always been a grass roots local event for each city, sponsors are welcome but should be vetted to make sure they support the gay communities ideals of social equality.
Then last but least we have individuals that like to throw out statements like, "If we have Gay Pride then we have to have straight pride too." and to that I say F U. Gay pride is and has always has been a protest. A protest to demand social equality for members of the LGBTQ community. Every month is straight pride because lets face it as straight people you do not face the same social injustices as the LGBTQ community. You do not have to fight for your rights as we do. So you know what sit down shut the F up and let us have our month. Or better yet be our ally and support us, so that some day Gay Pride isn't a protest but just a giant fucking celebration of fabulousness.