In this age of the Internet and POD (Print On Demand) publishing small presses have begun to proliferate all over the United States. These small publishers have an advantage in that they are more able to aim their products to a distinctly narrow or niche market. This fact alone means that markets that were once, and often still are, ignored by mainstream publishers are now finding multitudes of choices to serve their specific interests and needs.
H Publishing, located in Denver Colorado, is just such a small press. Dedicated to serving the Gay and Lesbian Community they have launched their publishing house with the publication of three gay murder mystery novels from author Ken Lansdowne. These novels fit perfectly with the publishers aim to provide humor and mystery with a gay bent to this large and extraordinary group of men and women. “It is our sense of humor that keeps us going through the hard times.” The gay sensibility has influenced almost every aspect of everybody’s lives through movies, books, and the arts. “We want to present a forum for that sensibility to come out from the woods and into the light where it belongs,” added the publisher.
The three books—titled SECRETS DON”T BELONG IN CLOSETS, A MURDEROUS BALL OF FLUFF, and THE FAIRY DUST KILLER are the first three novels in what will be a continuing series from H Publishing. The stories feature writer Jeremy (JB) Bent and his best friend actor Len Matthews as they solve the cases they find themselves involved with. They take place in New York City in the year 1986, a period of unprecedented growth and change for the gay community; what with the AIDS epidemic escalating, protests and demands for gay rights protection and services, and changing and evolving lifestyle changes effecting all. It was a period of unprecedented change.
THE BENT MYSTERY series are humorous, intriguing, fast-paced mystery novels that will give their readers a pleasurable journey through a city experiencing the well-remembered 1980’s overkill and over-consumerism that marked the decade. The books capture the era from a gay perspective and are rife with the touchstones that marked that time and place. Revisit a time when Studio 54 was on it last legs, when Ronald Reagan was in the White House, Leona Helmsley reigned as queen of hotels, and Malcolm Forbes was the richest man in America. A time of huge evolution for gay men and women everywhere.
H Publishing is pleased to be presenting these exciting, percipient, and witty novels by Mr. Lansdowne to gay men and woman everywhere. “It is an honor to be published by a new house that is so focused on serving the gay community. They have given me an opportunity that many writers are not afforded. Gay writing has been the victim of prejudice and bigotry the same way gay men and women have for too long. This is most welcome,” said the author.
Also announced at the launch is a planned magazine to be published quarterly. There will be Winter, Fall, Spring, and Summer issues. Spring 2010 will see the premier issue of HoMo magazine. Issues will feature humor and mystery short stories, cartoons, interviews, puzzles, and contests all with a gay bent and sensibility.
The three novels in The Bent Mystery series are available on CreateSpace.com, Amazon.com, and HPublishingOnline.com. HoMo Magazine will be available at the same resources. The novels are priced at $17.95 each.The magazine is planned at $12.95 retail with subscriptions available that provide discounts off the cover price.
By Ken Lansdowne
