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2009
Tom Selleck's Mustache	A short memoir of my sexual youth and my emerging desire for men with facial hair. unpublished.
2008 -- My Tenth Year of Storytelling!
Bears Write Bear	At a summer writers' camp for bears moonlight inspires cowboy songs in the hot tub and spray cheese proves an inspiration for workshop activities. Does fiction mimic real life? unpublished.
The Last Night at Nan's Ham-N-Egger	A first-hand account of the events and small-town relationship secrets that caused Nan's diner to close for the first and last time. unpublished.
2007
Between Red Covers	The story is a fictionalized biography of a single copy of [Alfred Kinsey's] Sexual Behavior in the Human Male, from the year of its publication [1948] to the present day. The story's eight chronological vignettes each feature different characters whose lives interconnect through their contact with the book. Quotes from the original Kinsey Report, as read by the characters, are woven into the narrative. As the book passes through many hands across the decades, it affects public and private events that illuminate the many ways that the Kinsey Report influenced both individual lives and American culture. (Text from the story's abstract as it will appear.) Written for a special issue, expected in Octobe 2008, of the Journal of Bisexuality, called "The Kinsey Report at Sixty: A Retrospective Anthology", edited by Ron Suresha.
Waking Up Bear	Stephen and Barry have been together for over a decade without major drama, until one day Barry wakes up to find out that he's turned--overnight!--into a bear. Major drama ensues, but life returns to domestic tranquility through the agency of bear-spiritualist Onslo Bigpaw (who first appeared in the story "Old Haunts"). This is a new, substantially revised version of a story I first wrote in 2005. Published in Bears: Gay Erotica Stories, Richard Labonté, ed. (Cleis Press, August 2008).
2006
Goodland, Kansas	Ross, Alan, and Kenny, who lived in Goodland, Kansas, had been best friends forever when they started ninth grade at Goodland High School. By the time they graduated, everything had changed. Written for the anthology Country Boys, Richard Labonté, ed. (Cleis Press, expected May 2007).
2005
A Time for Family	Chris is a young college student. Chris' boyfriend John is a little bit older ... than Chris' father, and John is about to meet Chris' family for the first time over Thanksgiving Dinner. unpublished.
The Lighthouse Keep: A Gothic Tale	A stranded driver on the lonely coast of Maine seeks the help of a gnarly old man who lives in the shadow of an abandoned lighthouse. He gets the help, but only after he's heard the old man's tragic tale of love perverted and -- heedless of the old man's warnings -- encounters the sadistic ghost of the Lighthouse Keep for himself. Written for the anthology Best Gay Erotica 2007, stories selected by Timothy J. Lambert, edited by Richard Labonté (Cleis Press, October 2006).
Sun, Sand, & Max	Celebrating his 50th birthday on a Caribbean cruise-ship, our narrator keeps crossing paths with a fellow passenger who exhibits an "abundance of body hair". In daily e-mails to his friend Ron, he reveals what happens when they do. First published in Tales of Travelrotica for Gay Men: Erotic Travel Adventures, Brad Nichols, ed. (Alyson Books, August 2006).
Physical Therapy	A man who has just had surgery for his broken leg lies in his hospital bed, certain that his physical therapist will never be the cute one when -- against all expectation -- it turns out that he gets the cute one and the cute one believes in the healing powers of sex. Only slightly based on actual events; more based on wishful thinking. Published in the anthology Best Gay Erotica 2009, stories selected by James Lear, edited by Richard Labonté (Cleis Press, October 2008).
2004
"The Pansy Forest Legend"	To be honest: there's no sex in this story, but sometimes that happens. It's a short allegory that I wrote to promote our on-line store of hand-made craft items called The Pansy Forest. The story concerns a young man on a journey to find understanding and happiness; he does in a colorful village deep in the Pansy Forest. Can be read on-line: The Pansy Forest Legend.
"Morning Breaks"	Trying to explain it takes more words than the story has. About the time that the 2005 edition of Best Gay Erotica was going to press, fellow author Drew Gummerson wrote to us (the BGE authors) and asked whether we'd care to contribute to his "50-Word Erotica" project. I liked the idea. This was the result. On Drew Gummerson's 50-Word Erotica page.
"Duck Tails and Fins"	The year was 1957; it was endless summer following high-school graduation. Todd and Trish were saving themselves for marriage, and Trish's twin-brother Todd was there to help. Written for the anthology Bi Guys: Firsthand Fiction for Bisexual Men and Their Admirers, Ron Suresha, ed. (Haworth Press, fall 2006).
2003
"Good Eats"	It's the middle of the night at Mel's Diner (where Vera presides). Vince and Scott are sharing late-night coffee and conversation. Vince would like to take Scott home; Scott isn't convinced. When Vince explains that he's really a vampire, it's not clear that it improves his argument. Started life as a story, but I have since recast it as a short, one-act play for 2 men and 1 woman available for first publication or premier production
"My Mountain Man"	A recipe for love: the last beautiful day of summer, a glacier-fed mountain lake, a rustic log cabin, and two naked men brought together by a squirrel gone postal. To appear in Best Gay Romance 2008, Richard Labonté, ed. (Cleis Press, expected summer 2008).
"Hurricane!"	A city prepares for disaster, but Chuck is bored by it all. Daniel calls and suggests a hurricane watch with Star Trek videos and three other bear friends. It's all going well until the power goes out. Then it goes better. published in American Bear, issue #62, August - September 2004.
"Cub Makes Headlines!"	A cub reporter at a small-town weekly newspaper is sent out to get the story on bears and ends up getting the story and more during a friendly game of Strip Monopoly. written for the anthology Bear Lust, Ron Suresha, editor (Alyson Publications, November 2004). reprinted in American Bear, issue #68, August - September 2005.
"The Old Block"	A man reflects on his life and the life of his late father, and their relationship, recalling episodes from his youth and learning new truths around the old neighborhood. unpublished -- a longer story (6400 words), looking for a good home.
"Covert Cruising"	Nick & Admiral, secret bear agents helped out by Admiral's partner Ted, on their second mission: this time they must obtain incriminating information from the Captain of a Caribbean cruise ship. published in American Bear, issue #63, October - November 2004.
"Save the Last Dance"	Tom, a meek, mild-mannered bear, lives as a virtual servant to his two roommates, until he sneaks out one night and meets a handsome, mysterious Prince at a costume party. unpublished
"See Bruce Run"	A very short story that captures an obsessive moment between a student and a professor on a warm summer's day. unpublished
"Confessions of a Failed Pervert"	In which the author tries to get in touch with his inner pervert and fails miserably. written for the anthology Kink: Tales from the Sexual Adventurer, Paul J. Willis and Ron Jackson, editors (STARbooks Press, January 2004).
2002
"Old Haunts"	A bear who is haunted by his past and his relationship with his late lover gets some assistance from a bear spiritualist. published in American Bear, issue #58, December 2003 - January 2004. anthologized in Best Gay Erotica 2005, stories selected by William J. Mann, edited by Richard Labonté (Cleis Press, December 2004).
"A Letter to Santa"	A lonely man reveals his longings in an intimate letter to the man at the North Pole. written for the anthology Just the Sex, Jesse Grant, ed. (Alyson Publications, November 2003).
"Taming Raul"	A blind alley in the big city and Raul's being chased by a trio of unhappy bikers who want his ass: the man on the fire escape may not be the answer to his prayers. written with Ron Jackson; published in 100% BEEF, issue #9 (September 2003).
"Sapphire" a short play	A 20-minute play in which two men celebrate their 45 years together over an intimate dinner at home, remembering events and episodes from their shared life. Premier staged reading given by long-time partners Terry Colbert & Jim Mason (photo at right), at "Paws for Words", International Bear Rendezvous, San Francisco, February 2003; thanks to Ron Suresha. Available for production.
2001
"Artful Fur"	An artist meets a potential patron at the opening of his show, and they manage to consumate their relationship despite an obstacle course of impediments. published in American Bear, issue #55, June - July 2003. anthologized in Friction: Best Gay Erotic Fiction, Volume 7, Jesse Grant, editor (Alyson Publications, February 2004).
"Strip Search"	Sometimes getting stuck in the airport can be a good thing. published in American Grizzly, issue #18, April - June 2002.
"All Wet"	Water provides the backdrop and motifs for a simple, romantic story: bear meets bear, bear wants bear, bears get wet together. published in American Bear, issue #52, December 2002 - January 2003.
"Time Out"	In its original version (not as first published), a man discovers that he can stop time by farting, and learns about himself while he enjoys discovering the joys of bears who can't say 'no'. published in American Grizzly, issue #19, July - September 2002. original version printed in the anthology Best Gay Erotica 2004, stories selected by Kirk Read, edited by Richard Labonté (Cleis Press, December 2003).
"Undercover Bears"	The first story about Nick & Admiral, both some species of secret agent, who must work their wiles to recover vital information during a gala reception at the Stankanistani Embassy. published in the "Special 50th Issue" of American Bear, issue #50 (surprise!), August - September 2002.
"Stuffed in the Locker Room"	A too-big cub packs himself into a too-small locker in order to get an eyefull of his favorite daddy bear at work, but things never work out quite as he expects. published in American Grizzly, issue #15, July - September 2001.
2000
"Blade"	A staid, middle-aged bear is disturbed by his obsessive attraction to a young, street-wise cub with whome he locks eyes at the shopping mall, but the cub isn't bothered at all. written for the anthology Bearotica, Ron Suresha, ed. (Alyson Publications, March 2002); reprinted in Best Gay Erotica 2003, stories selected by Michael Rowe, edited by Richard Labonté (Cleis Press, December 2002).
"A Bedtime Story"	A fairy tale about the melancholy of Prince Orsino, the rain it brings to his kingdom, what the town does about the problem, and how the prince finally finds lasting happiness. first published in American Bear, issue #40, December 2000 - January 2001; anthologized in Best Gay Erotica 2002, stories selected by Neal Drinnan, edited by Richard Labonté (Cleis Press, December 2001). anthologized in Best of Best Gay Erotica 2, Richard Labonté, editor (Cleis Press, 2005).
1999
"Mike's Mission"	Mike is not the brightest bulb in the pack, but his concern for his friends, whom he's convinced have been kidnapped, is unswerving, even when trying to save them leads him and his partner into a series of unexpected situations. published in American Grizzly, issue #11, July - September 2000.
"A Returning Appetite"	Battered by the lingering memory of a failed relationship, the narrator has little taste for his routine meal at a local restaurant, when his anxieties and fantasies are stimulated by his noticing the bear of his dreams, who is eating there as well. first published in American Bear, issue #35, February - March 2000; anthologized in Tales from the Bear Cult, Mark Hemry, ed. (Palm Drive Publications, March 2001).
1998
"A Passing Storm"	On a sulttry, summer evening, as a thunderstorm approaches, a man sits by his open window and indulges in a voyeuristic/exhibitionistic fantasy with a neighbor walking across the street. published in American Bear, issue #32, August - September 1999.
Text & Images Copyright © 2001-2008 by Jay Neal.