“Dracula/Harker—Part I” Short Video: Arise!

The first anniversary of the publication of Dracula/Harker: A Gay Gothic Romance—Part I is upon us. I chose the month of June in 2025 because of Pride and because this first novella in the Dracula/Harker trilogy is about queer people overcoming prejudice, discrimination, and worse to take pride in their true natures and live for themselves and love as themselves, not as others say, preach, and legislate.

The year since has seen me learn hard lessons as a result of coming out publicly on the printed page, so to speak. (Part I is available only as an e-book.) But taking pride in my work, I have thickened my skin and carried on without hardening my heart, which I continue to pour out into Part II.

So, this Pride Month, I encourage queer folks who cannot be their true selves to do something—no matter how small—to celebrate themselves and to remember they are part of a global family that has always existed and will always exist.

And let all the LGBTQIA+ community never forget: No matter how many fires our persecutors set, we, like phoenixes, always arise!