As a youngster, I ate up stories about dragon slayers and dragon riders and the like.  So when I heard the incomparable sydmcginley was editing an anthology about tricky predicaments, my imagination hopped into the wayback machine and brought me a story about dragons.

Sort of.

I wondered how a humble small town dog walker might cope with the sudden appearance of dragons.

The result was "Dragonwalker," and it appears in Syd's Another Fine Mess, out yesterday from Torquere Press.

cbpotts reviewed the ten-story anthology for the publisher, and had this to say:  "Dragon Walker by Lee Benoit is surprising and complex.  I thought I knew what was going to happen to naive-yet-very-sexy Endi, only to have what should have been a predictable love story turn into something very different -- and so much better!" 

But you might want to judge for yourself, yes?

Well, it's after midnight in my time zone, so technically I've failed to complete the picfor10002008 "Picture is worth 1000 words" challenge.

But I enjoyed the challenge of writing EXACTLY 1000 words in response to a picture prompt, so I thought I'd share the result here.

It's called "Lavatory Luxor" and I'm dedicating it to my dear papi, who said a little visit with Paulo (from my stories "Heard on High" and "Epiphany: Shining Through") might lift his spirits.  Besos, papi!


Cheers,
Lee

My short-short story "Heard on High" is out today from Torquere Press!! 



Here's a description: 
Hal is a composer and director of the local gay men's chorus. Arlie's a young tenor who comes highly recommended, but his voice doesn't measure up to his reputation. Hal likes Arlie a lot, though, and decides to take a chance on him as something more than a singer. When he takes Arlie home, Hal finds out it’s not all about the singing, and that if Arlie can just find the right range, everything can work out.

And here's a snippet, courtesy of Paulo, the naughty caroler, (and with apologies to Mel Tormé): 
“Bare butts roasting by an open fire, 
Perverts sucking on my toes. 
Twisted carols being sung by a choir, 
Gai bois writhing in passion’s throes.”

And here's how you buy it!

Cheers,
Lee

...on my contribution over at that nifty cavalcade of free fiction and other goodies, the Torquere Press Advent Calendar!

My December 7 offering, "Ding Dong Merrily," introduces three new characters, with three very different approaches to the traditional Gay Men's Chorus Holiday Concert.  One of them, Paulo, does Very Naughty Things to holiday songs.  So skitter over there, read, and enjoy!

Lee

I have a new review up over on Rainbow Reviews.  I know there have been tons of glowing reviews for R. W. Day's A Strong and Sudden Thaw.  You should go read mine and see if I came up with anything new to say.  I will tell you it took some effort not simply to gush adoringly.

In other news, have y'all discovered Dr. Fell yet?  He's a character written by the inestimable sydmcginley in an ongoing series of terrific D/s stories from Torquere Press.  Now, in honor of a new installment, she's done a delicious video.  Fellow bent ones, it is not to be missed!

 

A short while back sydmcginley challenged folks to write seven ficlets in response to her contribution to Torquere Press's anniversary celebration (a Birthday Candle lit by a TP author daily all month).  The baby-fics were each to be inspired by a color from the venerable Hanky Code, and the prize is a quilt lovingly stitched by Tommy, hapless victim of the illustrious Dr. Fell of Syd's fabulous tale, "Pet Sitting."

So, I wrote, I sweated, I violated the word count limits, and (blushes, stammers) I won! 


And you can read the other four finalists!!  Don't miss Angel's Gray Flannel, Gabrielle's Yellow, Morgan's Purple, and Meg's Mustard.

Watch for my own Birthday Candle later in the month!

Cheers,
Lee