I’m just a girl… a girl named Wade.

I’ve been working on “owning” the name and feeling like Wade is me, is who I am as an author. Most authors have pen-names or pseudonyms, so it should not surprise you that Wade is my chosen alias / pen-name / pseudonym. I have talked to some authors and they have a different name for every genre they write. I don’t know if I would go that far, but I do think that have a couple different names you write under is not a big deal.

I’ve talked about it oodles of times recently, but I feel that one last hurrah is necessary and then I can refer back to this blog when people ask. Why Wade? I ask, why not? In the scheme of things were names are concerned it is not uncommon any longer to have names cross the gender lines. It used to be that girls would spell and name one way and a boy spelled it a different way. Erin/Aaron, Carrie/Cary, Terrie/Terry, Carole/Carroll, Marti/Marty, Gail/Gale, Jo/Joe   … But then times change and people use the same name, same spelling for boys AND girls. And I am not referencing names I have only heard about, I am now sighting names I know people by personally in both genders. Hunter, Devon, Logan, Shannon, Taylor. (as well as a Dana and a Kelly in both genders) So yeah, names can go either way nowadays.

So yeah… I’m Wade. Wade Kelly. Nice to meet you!

Nutshell: I picked Wade because of an 80s TV show called Sliders. Wade Wells was the female character. And Kelly because I like the name Kelly. (And I like the Irish.) Hence the name was born, but it took a while for it to feel like ME. I used to be someone else. When I started writing, I used to introduce myself by a name that wasn’t my real first name just to mess with people. The name stuck and I started under that pseudonym. (I’m not writing it in a blog. The link is on my website.) Anyway, I got published, shit happened in 2010, and I changed my name to Wade.

I am featured on Aisling Mancy’s Blog today in an interview where I talk more about ME, and MY NAME, and my writing, and why I write etc…. Please stop by. I also list my favorite scene in The Cost of Loving! (You know you want to know what it is.) I am feeling like this is more me now. I think I can even get past saying, "Hi. I'm Wade," without it feeling weird. It's a good feeling!

The Cost of Loving hit #31 before I went to bed last night (at 11:30pm) on Amazon’s Best Sellers List for Best Gay Romance. Also, it was ranked #26 on the List for Hot New Releases. I think that is pretty darn good for ONE DAY of sales.

Copied from Amazon (TCOL): 

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,010 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

• #19 in Books > Gay & Lesbian > Literature & Fiction > Fiction > Romance
• #22 in Books > Gay & Lesbian > Literature & Fiction > Fiction > Gay
• #27 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Romance > Gay Romance

As of 6:22 am 8/17/13, The Cost of Loving was #21 in the Dreamspinner Best Seller List! Amazing to me to have broken into the best sellers in just one day! The Cost of Loving is #28 on Amazon’s Best Sellers List for Best Gay Romance, and ranked #24 on the List for Hot New Releases. This is a real testimony to how awesome my fans are! You all are so dedicated and tenacious and adoring that I cannot get over it. Thank you all so much from all of my heart! I promise to bring you more stories! I will. I am on a more regimented writing schedule than ever before. I desire to finish writing these stories because they not only bring me joy to write, but it also brings me great joy to hear how they have affected all of you! Thank you so much! I need you all.

You have read in the previous blog one of my favorite reviewer reviews of TCOL, (Tina’s review on The Novel Approach), but here is the first review from a reader, not a “reviewer”….

Melissa's review:

Aug 16, 13

5 of 5 stars

bookshelves: contemporary, abuse-addiction-trauma

Read in August, 2013

This sequel to When Love Is Not Enough (Unconditional Love, #1) was worth the wait. Wade Kelly has done an amazing job of making Matt & Darian come to life for me. I feel like I know them personally. Once again my heart was ripped out of my body and I enjoyed every minute of it. I love books that touch me on a raw emotional level and both of these books did that for me. Highly recommend these books!!!!

It is on Goodreads.

Again, than you all for everything!! If you haven’t already seen or read them, I have been interviewed this week a couple times (different questions), and I also have a review on Mrs. Condit Reads. Check out my interviews and reviews and blog spotlights and remember to comment. There are giveaways involved.

From August 13, 2013 – Mrs. Condit and Friends

From August 15, 2013 – The Novel Approach

From August 16, 2013 – Joyfully Jay

From August 17, 2013 – Aisling Mancy

Thank you all for stopping by and giving me one of the best weeks in history! :)

I have often referenced the song by All Time Low- Weightless, and I think I have to again. The Lyrics state, “Maybe it’s not my weekend, but it’s gonna be my year…” Well, this IS MY WEEKEND.  This is my WEEK! And it is because of all of you! Thank you so so so so much!

~Wade

xoxoxox

By all means, follow me on Twitter, "follow" my BLOG, "like" me on Facebook, add me to your "circles" on Google+, check out my pins on Pinterest, review my books on Goodreads and Amazon, become a “FAN” on Goodreads.com, and check my webpage often for changes.

A tribute to Joyfully Jay

I recently met Joyfully Jay in person at a M/M readers/writers group I belong to that gathers every other month or so. When you find people that you interact with online and then realize that they live relatively close enough to visit, it is fun to actually touch them! People become REAL instead of "virtual". Ya know? Does that make sense? And add to that the fact that I will be attending GRL in Atlanta in OCtober. I WILL be meeting people. It is FAR EASIER to meet a small group, at an informal setting of a home, than it is to meet hundreds at once at a hotel! I think it was Jay's idea to form the group so we would all feel more comfortable. She did great!

Sadly, I have only met with the group once. (We meet again next month.) But during that meeting I found that Joyfully Jay is probably one of the most demanded and inquired review sites for the genre. She get HUNDREDS of requests. HUNDREDS! a month. How does one review site handle that? Well, they can't. They have to become picky and turndown people they probably wish they couldn't. She is very gracious, but there is only so much time in the day. Ya know? My respect for her position, job, and leadership has grown immensely. Jay is wonderful!

My own circumstance made me VERY appreciative and thankful and grateful to her for taking the time to review When Love Is Not Enough. I had many places turn me down. And given her volume, she could have. Thankfully, Amy accepted the task and actually liked my book! 4.75 stars! I have stopped requesting reviews for this book. It is too difficult for some, the content is too depressing, and some can't get past the time jumps and POV shifts. I had one reviewer tell me she hated it and could not finish it. So, no more requesting for me. I went out on a limb in desperation with Joyfully Jay because I knew that The Cost of Loving was coming out in a few months and I desired some reviews, namely from Jay, if they would do it. I was so happy to find that not only would they review When Love Is Not Enough, but afterwards, Amy told me she could not wait to review The Cost of Loving. I am on the edge of my seat waiting to see what she thinks of it!!!

But in the meantime, Joyfully Jay has hosted me on my Blog Tour. Today, she lists an excerpt and a giveaway. Please drop by and leave a comment even if you have the book. I love to read what people are thinking. This excerpt is in my top 5 favorite scenes. (I think. Hard to pick.)

I look forward to October and going to Atlanta. Joyfully Jay is hosting one of the events and I have no doubt that it will be fabulous!

This week has been crazy and exciting. The Cost of Loving is finally OUT!!! DSP has a little app/link thing for authors and you can check sales and stuff. It is only partially accurate because it only links DSP, not Amazon and other 3rd party sites. BUT, when I logged on at midnight to download MY COPY of TCOL, I did peek at the link. 51 copies must have been preordered, so thank you! (I doubt 51 people stayed up until midnight to buy it.

Also, if you didn't see my review from The Novel Approach, it was awesome! She called me ballsy. haha. The highlights are(without spoilers):

 Two years is a long time for a die hard fan to wait for a sequel to a much-loved book. Two years is an even longer time if you are the author trying to get the sequel into the hands of those sometimes rabid fans. Some fans might give up. Some authors might chuck the laptop out a window. This was a unique case though. Those fans, not only didn’t they give up, they supported the author, encouraged her regularly on Goodreads and Facebook. The author in question, she kept in touch with the fans and gave frequent updates regarding her triumphs and frustrations while dealing with the M/M publishing world. Thankfully for all involved, The Cost of Loving, the eagerly anticipated sequel to Wade Kelly’s first novel When Love is not Enough has finally made it through the muck and mire and red tape to arrive on your e-reader or bookshelf. It was well worth the wait. You will not be disappointed. ... A lot of novels tackle difficult subjects. Some are brave enough to take on one or two. In The High Cost of Loving, Wade Kelly is ballsy enough to battle beaucoup painful topics and leave you smiling after all the crying is finished. Any writer who can pack homophobia, self-injuring, drug addiction, depression, dysfunctional parenting, “religion” (the quotes are mine, not hers), guilt and grief (I am probably forgetting some) into one emotionally moving yet satisfying-on-a-gut-level novel has huge cajones and the keyboard to back it up with. Vigorously, firmly recommended.

by: Tina

There is also an interview and a giveaway on The Novel Approach. Please stop by to leave a comment even if you have TCOL. I love reading people's thoughts.

Earlier in the week I was spotlighted on Mrs. Condit and Friends with an interview and giveaway. Visit there too!

Tomorrow I will be visiting Aisling Mancy. There, I will conclude the "Meet Wade Kelly" tour with another interview. Each of these has been a little different and together makes a pretty complete picture of me.

So hop around and leave comments. I love comments!

As far as the "giveaway" I was trying to do myself, which failed. I will give away something. I was thinking a copy of Names Can Never Hurt Me once it comes out. Next time I will run a contest BEFORE there is a pre-order option. You diehard fans are showing me that running a contest is unnecessary to drum up new readers. My readers are all ready to buy the book before it comes out. Thank you. That is humbling. So yeah. leave a comment on the following blogs, or on goodreads and I will randomly pick a winner next week. You may have to wait 8 months, but I won't forget.

Let's Play Twenty Questions, Epic Failure, or Release Week Jump-Started.

Again, thanks to my adoring fans, I love and appreciate you all!

Wade

(I'll be blogging again tomorrow.)

Meet Wade Kelly

On The Novel Approach this morning, Lisa H interviews me about my book, but also asks a little ABOUT ME! Many people asks questions here and there about why I write what I write, so here is a chance to read a little more than you have before about me. Visit The Novel Approach Reviews to read more!

There is also a giveaway. And An excerpt online.

There is more to know about me, but I have another interview with Aisling Mancy on Saturday. Stay tuned!

And if you missed the first segment of my interview with Lady McNeil, hop over to Mrs. Condit reads to read the beginning of my thoughts.

Tomorrow is the big day!!! I'm excited. I will probably stay up until midnight so I can download my copy. (Yes, even I have to download my eCopy.) The Cost of Loving is on its way and I hope you like it. It has been a long wait.

Thanks,

Wade

(Shortest Blog Ever!) Oh, and although "Names" was at 59k when I did the interview, it is over 65k now. :)

Release week jump-started.

Hey,
Yesterday I started by talking about my "contest" being an epic failure. A HUGE THANK YOU to those who commented and made me feel less like a loser. I am completely glad you liked my book When Love Is Not Enough and are looking forward to The Cost of Loving. For those who commented and continue to comment on THIS BLOG (Epic Failure) I WILL pick a winner of something. If what Melissa said is true, then maybe you all have already pre-ordered. (Or plan to buy on Aug 16th.) I guess I should be all gushy inside that you all love my stuff this much. Thank you. If I pick a winner, and you already have my books, I can promise the next book. OKAY? And maybe doing a give-away needs to happen sooner the next time? Thoughts?

As far as release week, Mrs. Condit and Friends has posted the first review online of the ARC. (Don't ask what that means, I don't even know.) There is also an interview OF ME talking about "who is Wade Kelly." I will not copy the interview here as that would defeat the purpose of a "blog hop", but you can CLICK HERE to read it :)

The review of The Cost of Loving probably contains spoilers of When Love Is Not Enough. (Yes, I read it, but I am not sure what it would give away, I'm just warning you.)

Posted by Lady McNeill on August 13, 2013

“God made me gay; there has to be a reason for it”
GENRE: M/M
RATING: 4 Sweet Peas!

BLURB: Matt Dixon, a young firefighter, is the golden child of his family, and he never dreamed that coming out would challenge more than the way his church sees him.

For years, Matt has led a double life hoping to avoid ridicule. When a self-righteous pastor’s statements provoke him to defend his recently deceased best friend’s honor and subsequently out himself, he suffers the brutal aftermath of his revelation. Everyone in his life, including his family and his new lover, Darian, must deal with the ramifications as Matt struggles to come to terms with guilt, shame, and his very belief in God.

Darian Weston lost his fiancé when Jamie took his life, and his feelings for Matt added guilt to his burden of grief. Confused and lonely, Darian clings to Matt despite his inner strife. But small-town realities keep intruding, and if Matt and Darian hope to make a life together, they must first take a stand for what they believe in, even if they fear the cost.

LADY MCNEILL’S OPINION: When Jamie Miller committed suicide, the effects of his death were far reaching. We met Jamie in When Love is Not Enough by Wade Kelly and through a series of flashbacks and journal entries we learned what brought him to that fateful day. We also learned a lot about the two separate lives he lived: one with his best friend Matt Dixon and the other with his fiancé Darian Weston. Jamie ensured the two never met and their lives never intersected for deep down Jamie really loved Matt no matter how much he thought he loved Darian.

So begins the story of what happens between Matt and Darian after Jamie’s death in The Cost of Loving.
Matt and Darian are both dealing with their grief together through lots of and lots of sex. I mean a lot of sex. They can’t get enough of each other. But as Matt tries to go on with his “normal” life he can’t get Darian off his mind or out of his bed and he doesn’t want to. Matt truly believes this has got to be love but he really has no clue about Darian’s past or the amount of grief Darian is going through. Matt is also dealing with the effects of “coming out” to his ultraconservative church when he attempted to defend Jamie’s honor. As much as Matt has a great family life, the way his parents treat him initially I thought were awful. In fact, I’m still not too fond of his dad even at the end of the book.

The story takes us through Matt and Darian’s journey towards a relationship together but they have so many roadblocks along the way. We have Darian’s addictions, oppressive parents, car accidents, psycho church members, homophobic coworkers. I don’t think there could have been any more things that could have been thrown into their lives. Told mostly from Matt’s POV we watch the continual beat down he is taking from everywhere and everyone. It is really quit tragic and I ached for him. Darian is more of an elusive character because we don’t hear from him much and when we do he’s consumed with grief. There were tender moments in the book like Matt and Darian’s first date. Those were my favorite parts when we read about the true relationship between the men because you could see the potential of their relationship.

In the end, the characters from the first book that I originally liked, I no longer liked in this story other than Matt and Darian whom I love. The book was a little slow in the beginning as we went through their daily lives but definitely sped up halfway through. It wraps up with a great HEA at least I believe HEA vs HFN because they withstood so much to get to the ending. The story is written in a way that you don’t have to read the first book at all but I would recommend it so you can see how Matt and Darian got together.

4 sweet peas. Not bad. If you read the excerpt or even just scroll to the end of the interview and excerpt, there is mention of a contest. Comment to win a eCopy of The Cost of Loving. Or just comment that you already own it if you do. I think I'd rather have commenters who already have it, then no comments at all. No comments is sad and lonely. :(

So if you want to get to know me MORE, GO HERE, this week contains a couple of interviews to give you a very complete picture of who I am and how I got here, why I'm guarded, and why NOW am I opening up about it. (If you haven't known all along anyway.)

So, I will talk to you all laterz! I have another review and interview on Thursday! Keep watch.

Wade

Epic failure

I tried to make life interesting and make a “contest” with a give-away, but that did not work out. Either 25 questions was too much, the questions were too hard, or people were not interested. I don’t know. So, NO ONE won the give-away from last week’s blog post because NO ONE ENTERED to win. No one. Zip. Zilch.

SO I will give one more chance this week. How about list your favorite quotes from When Love Is Not Enough below? Tell me your favorite scene, or moment. I am trying to make a way to give away a book, but I have to have entries.

One thing that was good that happened, (since the “contest” was a huge disappointment,) was a cool e-mail from a fan. Max thanked me for writing My Roommate’s A Jock? Well, Crap! He also posted his review on Amazon.ca

5.0 out of 5 stars

Wonderful coming of age and love story with great characters Aug 10 2013

By Dr Max TOP 100 REVIEWER

Format:Kindle Edition

Rating: 5 strs--more if I could!

This is a wonderful story, a delightful read, satisfying in every way. It rings very true, with completely believable characters, event he not so nice ones. And the two main characters...well, who wouldn't want to be in love like they are? The tone is often light and even a little caustic, especially when we're seeing things from Cole's point of view, and that just adds to the enjoyment of the whole novel. There's plenty of humour throughout and that's not easy to write, so kudos to the author for that, too.

At first we see Cole as being the complex one but as things continue we learn that Ellis simply doesn't share much of how he feels to it takes longer to get to know him. The story is set at the beginning of Cole's senior year at university. He's losing his roommate and best friend of the past 3 years because of graduation and now he faces his last year dreading the assignment of a new roommate. Cole is openly gay but he's developed a shell of sarcasm to protect himself and as a result he has no real friends nor does he really know how to make friends. And then in walks Ellis.

Ellis is a soccer god who is also working on a degree in English so he can teach...and coach soccer, of course. Ellis is everything that Cole isn't and Cole is horrified when Ellis's teammates and friends pile into their digs and take over with boisterous, typically university-aged jock behaviour. What makes everything worse is that Ellis is gorgeous and Cole can't keep his eyes off him. And so the two muddle on until something happens to change both of their lives. They kiss. And now what?

Lets just say that bit by bit they work out a relationship that's new for both of them. Ellis never knew he was gay and, being a virgin in every way, he finds it all new and frightening. But with some outside help they persevere and when they say the L word it's an amazing feeling for both.

This is one of those books that's almost impossible to put down. I might have stayed up all night if it wasn't that I finally fell asleep with the light on and the reader by my side. Wht an amazing love story and what a wonderful way to spend some hours in reading. It's interesting to see the world through various shifting points of view as the author moves from major to minor and back to major characters. It definitely makes for greater interest and explains why who does what. Yes, there's some explicit sex and it fits the situation perfectly. When the two young guys are coupling for the first time it's just that and when they are more used to various activities the focus shifts from physical sex to the emotions of making love. It's very well done.

I loved this book. I liked the characters and perhaps because I identified more with Cole I took to Ellis in a big way, just as Cole did. Their story is tender and caring, the kind of thing everyone would like to have but doesn't always get. I'll definitely be looking for more by this author. I definitely recommend this story. You won't be disappointed.

So, this was really cool and I enjoyed getting an e-mail from a fan. It has been a while.

Remember I am on Mrs. Condit Reads tomorrow in her segment on “Meet Wade Kelly.”

And Lisa posted a teaser for the week on The Novel Approach, which lists my upcoming interview.

Things are coming up. The Cost of Loving will be released on Friday. And I continue to write Names Can Never Hurt me, WHICH I just discovered I have been working on for a YEAR! I am so sorry. I didn’t realize that all the “breaks” I took in between writing made this novel drag out way too long! I apologize. I am going to work hard on finishing this one soon!

Anyway… Talk to you all laterz.

Wade

By all means, follow me on Twitter, "follow" my BLOG, "like" me on Facebook, add me to your "circles" on Google+, check out my pins on Pinterest, review my books on Goodreads; and by all means, check my webpage often for changes.

Check out my books: My Roommate's a Jock? Well, Crap! and When Love is Not Enough. Also: You can PRE-ORDER The Cost of Loving. if you so desire. Hahaha. Read, review, or question me about them. If you like what you read, I’d love for you to be a “FAN” of mine on Goodreads.com. Thanks so much!

One week and counting down!

Hi'ya!

One week and the Cost of Loving is available to download! woot. You can still pre-order it.

Remember, I did try to write it as a stand-alone for those who are apprehensive about reading When Love Is Not Enough. It has been two years since WLINE was published so I also wrote the SEQUEL with than in mind so most information was spelled out in case the memory couldn't recall facts that easily.

Matt Dixon, a young firefighter, is the golden child of his family, and he never dreamed that coming out would challenge more than the way his church sees him. 



For years, Matt has led a double life hoping to avoid ridicule. When a self-righteous pastor’s statements provoke him to defend his recently deceased best friend’s honor and subsequently out himself, he suffers the brutal aftermath of his revelation. Everyone in his life, including his family and his new lover, Darian, must deal with the ramifications as Matt struggles to come to terms with guilt, shame, and his very belief in God. 



Darian Weston lost his fiancé when Jamie took his life, and his feelings for Matt added guilt to his burden of grief. Confused and lonely, Darian clings to Matt despite his inner strife. But small-town realities keep intruding, and if Matt and Darian hope to make a life together, they must first take a stand for what they believe in, even if they fear the cost.

If you haven't read When Love Is Not Enough, it IS a tough read but most find the risk worth taking.

A six-year downward spiral into a world of lies and deception leads to the end of one man’s life when self-discovery crosses the line between being the perfect son or following his heart. 



Jimmy Miller never intended to lead a double life starting the day he fell in love with Darian, but his parents’ divorce, fighting in school, and constantly keeping secrets for his closeted best friend and protector, Matt, force his hand. Jimmy finds the demands too great to withstand and ends it all prematurely, leaving behind an angry best friend and a shattered lover. 



Matt and Darian cling to one another in the aftermath of their loss, forging a new friendship immediately tested by the truths of their relationships with Jimmy that are hidden in the pages of Jimmy’s journals. Will Matt and Darian discover what truly happened to their friend? And will this tragedy birth something beautiful between them as they learn the balance between life, family, and friendship when love is simply not enough? 



Or, if you prefer FUNNY, My Roommate's a Jock? Well, Crap! will lift your spirits after reading WLINE. Promise :)

It’s easy to become cynical when life never goes your way.

Cole Reid, a college senior, has been a social recluse since the age of fifteen. His obsessive/compulsive behavior, and controlling, sarcastic nature have driven half the population away, where as the other half of humanity hates him because he’s gay. As he sees it, he’s bound to drive any prospective friend away, let alone find a boyfriend, so why bother? After Cole’s roommate of three years graduates, the housing department assigns Ellis Montgomery to his campus apartment. Ellis’ presence is problematic at best. He’s messy for one thing, but he’s also gorgeous, straight, and represents everything Cole has tried to avoid since the tenth grade—he’s a jock!

Amid the chaos of frat buddies, camping expeditions, and meddling parents, Cole and Ellis develop a fast and firm friendship that goes against Cole’s glass-half-empty attitude. Is there more brewing below the surface of Ellis’ amazing blue eyes, or is it simply Cole’s reawakened libido that drives him to look past the fact that his roommate’s a jock and see there’s way more between them than camaraderie?

I stole Jayden Brooks' photo because I thought it was perfect. Authors ALWAYS need support, not just me, all of us!

Below are reviews from Amazon. They are from July, but I don't think I have listed them before. Still the same 21 reviews of When Love Is Not Enough, and there are 56 of My Roommate's a Jock? Well, Crap!



Sophia Rose "Guest Reviewer for Delighted Rea... 4.0 out of 5 stars Surprising College Age Romance, July 27, 2013

This review is from: My Roommate's a Jock? Well, Crap! (Kindle Edition)

The title caught my attention and then the sampling I read had me laughing so I had to give this college age romance a try. The book ended up being so much more than I expected in many ways. First, it wasn't always light-hearted. These two guys took angst up a few notches as they both had to find their way both in love and in life. Then it startled me to have the story not only shift perspectives between the heroes which is pretty typical, but it also shifted to secondary character's perspectives and went back in time. Once I adjusted to this phenomenon, things were aces.

Cole is an insecure, snarky college guy who finds out that he not only has to adjust to a new roommate, but that roommate is a jock. Things start out on the wrong foot as a result between Cole and Ellis. Ellis is quiet, serious about his studies and actually not a half-bad roommate even with his quirky friends, but he keeps his distance until the shared kiss with Cole. Then Cole watches his roommate freak. Cole isn't sure what to make of this until he discovers that Ellis is shy and a virgin who may or may not be gay. After many emotional and eventful stops and starts, the two manage to truly mess things up and it will take the tricky maneuvering of friends to set things right.

I'm not a big fan of heavy angst, but Cole's character and antics was not a complete turn off. I think it was acceptable because in many ways this was a coming of age story too. Both guys had so much growing to do and they-along with their posse- were endearing and adorable. Both guys seemed to be gifted in the ability to do the maximum amount of damage possible without trying and I loved seeing them work it out. In the end, they were a wonderful couple.

I probably should disclose that series themes and the hashing out of such get some significant page time, but I do appreciate that the author did a fairly good job of just putting it out there and leaving the conclusions to the reader.

It was my first time reading this author and I'll definitely give more of his stories a try.

5.0 out of 5 stars Getting Rid of Stereotypes, July 21, 2013 By  JBarith (US) - See all my reviews The nerd made some assumptions about the jock and boy was he wrong. The story shows how anyone can hide from the one they love because they fear rejection. Fortunately the jock in this story knows what he wants and isn't afraid to go for it.

What I am working on Now is a titled: Names Can Never Hurt Me. It is about bullying and stereotypes but I am trying to twist the normal trends of what you might expect. I am also trying to make it lighter, and possibly funny. I think My Character Nick is funny. Not funny haha, like Cole, but more ridiculous in his arrogance. I KNOW people like this. I think he is funny without trying to be.

Dubbed a “player” early on in life, constant sex has never been a problem for Nick—until now.

Nick Jenkins couldn’t remember a time when he wasn’t popular, when he wasn’t the best looking guy in the room, nor could he recall ever having to coax a woman into bed with him. And recently, Nick even added guys to the list of “been there—done that” when kissing Corey on a dare led to much more and on several occasions. His reputation to “screw anything” was well known, and he didn’t care. So why was the attention of someone new causing such consternation?

RC was a mystery from the moment they met. A frequent customer where Nick worked, getting to know RC was interesting, yet incremental due to the fact that he wasn’t in the “in crowd.” RC was overweight, always sweaty, and lived up to the nickname “scruffy dude.” Still, Nick could not let go of his deep longing for friendship, even if that friendship was with a loser.

Then, Nick finds out his new friend is gay. Will Nick look past the superficial and take hold of a connection deeper than he’s ever known before? Or will external pressures of social conformity win out—snuffing the fire before it ignites his soul.

So anyway... the count-down to The Cost of Loving continues. 7days left! And then hey, if you feel so inclined, write a review, spread the word, I count on word-of-mouth because I can only reach so many people myself. I am virtually unknown. Help me to spread my name. I need my fans, and readers, I seriously do! You are my inspiration to keep writing.

Wade

Let’s play Twenty Questions!

August 5^th: questionnaire. (posted early so maybe it will feed to Good reads by tomorrow morning)

This week’s blog is a TEST! Haha. Most people dread “tests” of any kind. This test is more like a way to job the memory and get you readers all excited and geared up for the next installment in the Unconditional Love Series.

Below are twenty-FIVE questions I have come up with for the readers. (twenty seemed too short.) The idea is to answer them from memory. (Like the honor system.) If you search through the book to find the answers then you will have them all right, but is it as fun?? IDK.

Copy and paste the questions, maybe in a word document or right to an e-mail, and include the answers with them. Then e-mail me. writerwadekelly@gmail.com

OR message me on Facebook. I believe you can Message me even if we are not “friends”. (Facebook link.)

I will give everyone a week to submit his or her answers to me on Facebook, or personal e-mail. OR message me on Goodreads.  Find a way to get me your answers. The idea is to send your answers to me, and not post them for everyone to see. It is a test. A challenge. A game to see what you remember from the story I wrote 2 years ago. Remember: the sequel comes out in less than two weeks!

So here it goes. These are in no particular order. I just came up with them off the top of my head.

1. What is Jimmy's major in college?

2.What is Darian's birthday?

3 What's Matt's first (full) name?

4. What does Dan Miller call Jimmy?

5.How does Jimmy propose marriage?

6. How many siblings does Darian have?

7. What does Joan hit Jimmy with that causes welts?

8. What tips Joan off that Jimmy is gay?

9. What does Joan Smithers collect?  *hint: that Darian would appreciate.

10. What tattoo does Jimmy and Darian get?

11.What is Jimmy's cousin's name?

12. Where does Matt live?

13. Where do Jimmy and Darian meet?

14. What piercing of Darian's does Jimmy fixate on?

15. Why does Darian get angry he first time he and Jimmy have sex?

16. What does Dan miller find on the floor that signifies Darian has a problem?

17. What is Darian's favorite hobby?

18. What does Jimmy buy for Matt in New York?

19. Who is in the picture on Matt’s nightstand?

20. What is Jimmy a “ringer” at doing?

21. What freaks Matt out at the firehouse picnic?

22. What was Darian doing in the bathroom when Jimmy found him?

23. Why did Jimmy have to write a journal?

24. What school does Darian attend?

25. Where does Jimmy keep his secret things?

Okay! There ya go. Twenty-five questions to challenge your memory. What do you win? A signed paperback copy of The Cost of Loving.

Personally, I wrote it as an allegory of my life circumstances and feelings that surfaced in 2010. Also, it is a question many of us have to answer. What cost are you willing to pay to LOVE the person you love? Or, What cost will you pay to take a stand for what you think is right? In my case, because I am not gay, it is a personal reflection on what I would do or feel in order to stand up for what is right. I do not think bullying and HATRED is right. As my icon often reads: 40% of homeless youth are LGBT and the #1 reason they are on the streets is parental rejection. I think this is awful and sad and needs to change. No one should feel that kind of rejection regardless of his or her sexuality.

Anyway… this is my challenge for you this week.

Laterz,

Wade Kelly

PS: Update on my personal life… I opened a “group” on my personal FB to tell some writers I had known for a while (who probably thought I died) that I am still alive and writing. In this group I also included personal friends, childhood friends, and overseas friends. Some people who have known me my whole life had no idea that I am a published author. I am NOW telling people. It is about time! And on my webpage BIO, there is a link to my first ever publication. Feel free to click, buy, and e-mail me about it ;)    You may even be surprised to find that you already read it!

By all means, follow me on Twitter, "follow" my BLOG, "like" me on Facebook, add me to your "circles" on Google+, check out my pins on Pinterest, review my books on Goodreads; and by all means, check my webpage often for changes.

Check out my books: My Roommate's a Jock? Well, Crap! and When Love is Not Enough. Also: PRE-ORDER The Cost of Loving. Hahaha. Read, review, or question me about them. If you like what you read, I’d love for you to be a “FAN” of mine on Goodreads.com. Thanks so much!

I’m on the Kage Alan Show!

Notice how I treated it like a night show? Late Night With Kage Alan. (*uses announcer voice* Haha) I do find his posts inspirational, humorous, silly, insightful, and anywhere in between. He writes about so many things. And, as you know, Kage also hosts guest posts by people like ME. So, I am featured tomorrow on his running series on The Face Of Gay.  Be there! August 3^rd, Kage Alan.

The Face Of Gay.

I thought about this topic and decided to throw in MY two cents on it. As I see it, the “face of gay” is about progression, change, and challenge.

I write way more on that in my post on Kage’s Blog so PLEASE drop by and read it. Leave a comment. I will try to post replies as soon as I can. I love to talk to people especially about cultural tendencies. 

But another big thing Saturday, is that I will be attending the OutWrite LGBT Book Festival in DC. So, if you are around, stop by Dreamspinner. I’ll be lurking. I haven’t decided which shirt to wear, but I think I’m going with “Pretending to be a pleasant person all day is exhausting.” Most people like that shirt anyway. (It’s gray.) And if we are friends on Facebook, I DO have a picture of myself posted in a private album. I will add people upon request if you are not already included. I have 1700 “friends” and I am working on revealing my identity slowly. (I’m still a tad guarded.)

I DID open up about myself and what I write to some friends this week. I have heard back from them and the response was shocked, but also supportive. Maybe my views are too radical for people in my town? IDK. I hope not. But they were not condemning by any means. Little by little, the town I live in will know Wade Kelly lives here! And, maybe, some of them will read my work and like it. Who knows? *It is just a little scary letting people who have known me a long time, see inside my head. New people may think, "Oh, this is interesting." Or, "Wow, your stories are not what I expected." Or whatever. But the little worrier (not warrior) in my mind thinks that people who knew me for a while, and thought they knew me well, will say or think, "Holy Crap! I didn't know this twisted shit was going on in your head! What is wrong with you?" or "Why do you write gay fiction and not something normal?" (Because gay is still "taboo" around here a little. (it's becoming accepted, but not easily.) I know, I may worry too much, but I was already rejected once by people I thought knew and loved me. It is hard to step out in faith that I am doing a good thing, writing touching subject matter and in my way capturing the state of cultural situations. I want to touch people and make them think. Am I doing that? Let me know. I feel like I am in a constant state of tension between writing meaningful and writing popular. <goes and gets coffee to settle nerves> NEXT.....

But hey… Lets start off this PROMO time period with a questionnaire!

On August 5^th, I am listing on my blog, a set of 25 questions for you to answer about When Love Is Not Enough. If you haven’t read it, read it now! If you need a brush up, re-read it now! The idea is to have read the novel and do the questionnaire like a test. I’d rather people didn’t “cheat” and search the pages for the answers. Go by memory. If everyone gets all the answers correct, then I will pick a random winner from the lot of participants. Details for the contest will be on the blog on Monday. I think I will pick the winner on August 12^th to kick-off release week!

Also… I am doing a “blog hop”, which I have never done. I hope to gain a larger audience and grab some new readers. As far as I understand, this is the schedule for the blog hop:

Post on Mrs. Condit Reads, Tuesday August 13^th. I think I’m going with a content blog on what and why I wrote The Cost of Loving. As well as a post on “Meet Wade Kelly”.

Then on August 15^th I have a more full and open interview with A Novel Approach. This fills in even more details about me, my life, my writing, and what I am about. And a giveaway!

August 16^th is THE BIG DAY! Release day for The Cost of Loving. (Pre-order available now!) But I will also be featured on Joyfully Jay. Blurb, excerpt, and yes—a giveaway!

And we wind down with another interview on August 17^th on Aisling Mancy’s author blog with a bit more depth to wrap things up as to who I am in the scheme of the writing world and what I’ve learned up to this point. Plus, my FAVORITE EXCERPT! (lol)

So these are the things that are going on. I am a very busy person this month. I wrote a short story for submission to Dreamspinner Press’s Advent Calendar anthology. Fingers crossed that they will want it. If not, I will expand it into a novel. I like the story. But the idea was to get my name out there, so that is why I chose to do the ADVENT ANTHOLOGY. I have a small following and I would like to grow my audience.

The story is titled: LAST MINUTE SHOPPING. It is heartwarming. *winks* for the Advent Anthology: Heartwarming. :) I wrote it in two days. Next time I get an inkling to write a short, I should do it when I have more time! haha. it is 8055 words long.

Ciao for now peeps.

Wade

Fear... It can drive us or kill us.

FDR said in his first Inaugural address, [the] "Only thing we have to fear is fear itself." It seems like a catch phrase that is used often, but do we remember who coined it first? IDK. "Fear" is something I have contemplated and spoke on many times before. AND it is something this week I have decided to cast out. Fear, get away from me! I've lived this way too long!

Dear Haters,

If you were a part of the group of people (it was a small group) who felt the need to belittle me and hate me and rip my self-esteem to shreds because of your own fear that I might "infect" the church, well the heck with you! You have no idea the mental anguish I have been through. You have no clue how hurtful your words and actions were. Had it not been for my son and his adoption, I might have done something drastic to myself. He was my tiny bit of light in a world of personal pain. Loving him got me through the darkest time of my life. I know I did not suffer like some do, but it hurt. I had no friends because they all turned away from me like I had the plague. With pity in their eyes they turned their backs on a friendship (that for some ) had built over ten years! Why? Because I wrote a book with gay characters. No one asked me why? No one wanted to understand by passion to write a book for a friend out of love in order to cheer him up in a time when he was down. No one cared about me. You all feared what my life represents. I love without pretense. (At least I am trying to. I know that is difficult to actually live out.) I also do not see my art (writing) as something that needs boundaries. I write what I feel. But because I wrote a story with gay characters suddenly I am the reason 3 boys are gay. Really? I didn't know I held that much power. Or you say I "fostered" their sexuality and influenced them. Really? Did you even ask their families about their life-history and see they were gay LONG before I met them. I can see now why people hate the church and Christians. We eat our own, as well as anyone who doesn't conform. Well guess what? That is not the Jesus I believe in. So maybe I don't fit your definition. If you want to hate me, go ahead. But don't attack my family because you disagree with ME. Leave them the ____ alone!

I am done hiding in fear for what you may do. And I could name names online if you like! You certainly had no problem threatening me with being drug in front of the entire congregation. A person should not fear their pastor. Do you realize what you did to my head? Whenever I hear a sermon now on fear or bitterness or hatred ONE NAME comes to mind. (Well, I can think of maybe 4 but the one is always first.) I don't fear God. I don't fear Satan. I don't fear death. I fear a stinking pastor because of how small and insignificant he made me feel. He ripped up my dreams and shattered my self-image.

No more!

~Sincerely,
Me

Here is the rest of the story in a nutshell for my fans and supporters and readers.... I was a youth leader. Some boys in my group turned out to be gay. I was accused of being the reason. The "fosterer" and the influencer. Really? Thank you all for that. But 3 years later I got a bigger picture of the corruption of that church and boy oh boy was it deeper and more wicked than I imagined. So, I decided to cast out fear because I no longer need to to hide. They may disagree with my "art" and my need to write stories that matter to people, but I will not deny who I am because of them.

I am in a different place in life now. I have people who matter to me. I have a pastor that is excited for me. I am not saying he would agree with everything I write, nor do I presume that he would endorse it if he read it. But I will say he is not afraid of me, of my writing, or my beliefs. I have a pastor now who I can talk to about life and trials and questions about God and he doesn't judge me. He doesn't cast me out because I'm doing something "wrong" in his sight. He wants to love me just as I am. In my mess, in my struggles, in my search to understand God. And this is true of many of my friends now. They love me for who I am.

I feel bad for those who go a lifetime and cannot find people like this. I know, and meet, people who have been hurt so much by other people and can't find a light in the darkness. I understand that. I've been there to some degree. This is what fuels my stories. This common struggle to find love in a world full of hatred.

So come with me. Those who dare. And find that we all feel like you do sometimes. We want to know love. And if it is male/male love or female/female love well, that happens. Because the human heart seeks love and sometimes the vessel is not the opposite gender. I write about the world I live in, and homosexuality is a part of that world. Surprise!

You haters who want to hurt me... don't. Take a look at your own heart first. Can you honestly say you are loving without condition and have no faults of your own to fix before you point out mine?

******** On a Side note  ******

I am going to be featured on The Face Of Gay by Kage Alan THIS SATURDAY! August 3, 2013

I talk about what I see as "the face of gay". Join me there!

Also, remember that The Cost of Loving is releasing August 16, 2013!! I am going to be blog hopping a little bit. I'll blog about that this week. I am going to be on Joyfully Jay and A Novel Approach. Hopefully a couple more too. We shall see.

This is just something I had to put out there in case I have repercussions for doing interviews again and putting my "face" online. I am going to post a picture of myself on Facebook for fans and readers and other authors to be able to find me at GRL. If I am targeted again by those in my town who hurt me 3 years ago, then be my witness, I will blog about it and post names! Hate is WRONG!

Laterz y'all.

Free from the bonds of secrecy :)

I know I've spoken before about this, but it is something that is very close to my heart and head and life that I am saying it again. Secrecy, hiding, lying, and deception even done by omission (Omitting the truth, not flat out lying.) is so painful and fettering. And I know that my pain is slight compared to people who have and do hide themselves in their lives all the time. How does one do that? And without seeming callus or insensitive, is that what it really feels like to be "in the closet" because truly I don't know. I can only surmise this from my person circumstance and experiences. I have had to "hide" myself for 3 years. From what? Accusations. Slander. Ridicule. Belittling comments and hurtful words. All because I think differently. I don't hold to the same beliefs as some. Mainly over LGBT rights, but I bet there are other issues that just never surfaced.

Have you read When Love is Not Enough? (WLINE) Jimmy is me. He kept his "worlds" separate. He lied intentionally, and unintentionally through habit to keep his life in the straight world completely separated from his life where he loved another boy. He was one way in the life where he lived with his mother. He was "freer" in a sense to be himself when with his father, but he never really allowed himself to let go. He still feared being caught. He hurt Darian because of that. And ultimately, he hurt himself. I was a writer who hid that fact from the world in my back yard. Why? Because I wrote gay characters. No, I'm not gay. But I chose to write something taboo and controversial here where I live because I was inspired. And as a creative person, I let the muse take me. I wrote the story that fell out of my mind without a care of where it lead. Homosexuality doesn't bother me. People fall in love and I wanted to write a story reflecting that. Man & Man, woman & woman, doesn't matter to me. I wrote a story for a friend because I wanted to bring him some joy. Romance makes people smile, right? It is supposed to. He is gay. So it made sense to write a GAY romance. Why write something he can't relate to? It was a great story, but one that "got out" and people I knew looked down upon me. I was suddenly evil in their eyes condoning homosexuality and fostering it in people I barely knew to the point of infecting the church. (Note: this is what I was told.)

If I lived in a vacuum (or simply by myself) I would have been able to weather that storm much easier. As it was and is I have a family. I wanted to protect them too. So, I gave in to the demands placed on me to conform. Conforming to what "society" wants or what the "church" wants (in my case) was very  binding. I felt trapped in my own skin. I had ideas and stories that wanted out of my head. I kept thinking of characters that wanted to speak freely, but couldn't for fear of rejection. So, I hid myself and wrote WLINE. Out of pain I FELT I wrote it and poured my hidden feelings into my GAY characters. Why gay? Because if I was persecuted so harshly and I am NOT gay, then HOLY SHIT what was it like for people who were/are? It must be 10x more painful.

3 years passes.... Present day. I had lunch with people I had to cut out of my life by default. Out of fear, I couldn't talk to them. But as I have said in previous blogs, I am breaking loose of fear. I am in a different place in life. I feel I am able to be myself in a way that I never could years ago. I am also happier than I have ever been because of it. Is it perfect yet? Um, NO! I have a lot of work to do. Letting go of fear and bitterness and hatred is very hard to do. I want to attribute my change to God because I believe God sustains all things. (others to do hold this belief and that is your personal journey through life.) God has brought me were I am and given me some incredible stories to tell. And I want to write them! I want to write LIFE as I see it.

The Cost of Loving is my "church" experience. Matt and his family live what I went through is many many ways. Emotional struggles and personal struggles etc. I write my feelings. I always have done that. I have gay characters because I see that the LGBT community is where cultural struggle is right now. Gay rights, gay marriage etc is where the issues are struggling to be heard. And in some countries, LGBT are the community of people most persecuted. Perhaps my characters will change as time goes on, but right now I feel passionate about writing the societal issues I witness into GAY characters. They seem the best fit.

Merging my real, personal life with that of my "writer" personality is unusual and different for me. Soon, there may not be any difference at all. I like the name Wade and I think I want to go by that. I had another pen-name years ago and used to introduce myself by that name all the time. So, can't I be Wade? (Wade Wells from Sliders was cool.)

I want to be comfortable being stopped on the street and asked for an autograph. HAHA. But not like to the point of NOT wanting to go out in public. I would just like to be comfortable being ME, and comfortable if the world knows who "ME" is. Does that make sense?

Anyway... I'm gonna go. I have a lunch thing with Writers and Readers in the DC metro M/M group. I am meeting online personalities in the flesh for the first time. Should be exciting and fun!

Bye.

xxooxx Wade