After coming out and experiencing a painful rejection from his parents and friends, Kurt feels as if he's lost everything that mattered. Then he connects with James Theard and his perspective on life and the truth found in love changes forever.Original Prompt:Dear Author,Where is this guy? What’s he looking at, I wonder? And is that guy down the hall watching him with longing? Maybe he’s been too shy to make his move before now. Maybe he’s trying to build up his courage. So, what do you think? Can you help the shy little guy get his happy ending?Photo Description: A slim, classic-featured boy in low-riding briefs leans against a wall, washed in dim blue and gold light. One graceful hand brushes his own bare chest, as he gazes forward. Behind him, down the hall, a shadowed dark-haired boy in shorts leans out of doorway watching in rapt attention.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Download the story, read it here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 3.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, italics, dash and ellipsis point abuse, sappy romance, prose with a mild purple hue, non-explicit, college, athletes, oh, teh angst!, excessive blushing, locker room groping, public displays of adorable, sports, nosey strangers & swimming allusion pornWord Count: 12,663

    When I opened my eyes all I could see was the sexiest pair of feet I've ever seen. By the end of the week, those feet were leaving prints in the sand right next to mine as we walked hand in hand. For the past year, our feet have had to travel long distance to see each other, but now our feet are walking our new home. Today is our anniversary, and it's only appropriate we spend the day worshipping the feet that have brought us together. ***I would like to have a sweet, sexy love story with a HEA. Please no cheating or ménage!Photo Description: A black and white photo of two guys, nicely built, lying on their backs on a couch, each with his head on opposite armrests. Their eyes are cut out of the top and bottom of the photo frame, so you can't see their faces. Both cocks are in full view as one is fully naked and the other's underwear is only partially on. The naked partner looks as if he's in the midst of slowly pulling off his partner's underwear. Their bodies are slightly draped over each other and each has the other one's foot in his mouth. The whole scene is very seductive.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Download the story, read it online or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 9.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: hurt/comfort; foot fetish; long distance relationship; culinary: bakerWarnings: foot fetishWord count: 32,541

    When Trask Maitland comes out to Lee, are they doomed from the start or is it possible that "three strikes and you're out" could turn into "third time's the charm?"Original Prompt:Dear Author,The first look between them had been innocent, or so he'd thought. I'd love to see exactly how things changed and where they'll end up.Photo Description: A black/white photo of two naked teens on a sofa. The tanned blonde on the bottom has his legs bent, splayed open, his right hand on his lover's butt. The pale brunette is on his knees, straddled over the blonde's right leg, hands on his lover's neck as he leans down for a kiss.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Read the story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 3 or Don't Read in the Closet: GayRomLit Retreat 2011 Special Edition.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, college, coming out, first time, roommatesWord Count: 4,647

    Omar didn't even seem to mind the age difference. At least Jesse thought so. 10 years is not that much, right? Or was there another reason why after flowers, chocolates and mind blowing sex he woke up on Valentine's day to an empty bed. It's been four days. Chocolates and flowers are still by his bedside, but his lover is gone without a trace.Photo Description: Cute naked guy lying alone in bed surrounded by flowers but looking sad.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Read the story online or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 3.

    You would think that after all these thousands of years I'd be okay with imprint of a horseshoe on my backside but I have to tell you it's getting old. If I had it to do over, I think I might reconsider telling my king's mage she was so grotesque she could freeze a man (and apparently a horse and chariot) in stone.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Read the story here or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 3.

    Who is he dancing for? An audience? One person? Himself? Please help me find out!Photo Description: A black/white photo of a young man dancing. His black pants ride very low on his hips. His unlaced vest is open to show off his otherwise bare torso. His body is slightly arched so that his right shoulder dips lower. His right thumb is positioned vaguely like he's hitchhiking, the left hooked in his waistband.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Read the story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 4.__________Genre: contemporary BDSMTags: gay m/m, BDSM, stripping, anal sex, voyeurWord Count: 10,747

    He's everything I'm not, including brave. He was brave enough to come out whereas I've stayed right in the closet, not able to admit my feelings to anyone, least of all Jude.So when he told me he wanted to go on a camping weekend to celebrate breaking up with his cheating bastard of a boyfriend Brad, I was delighted. But I was also worried. Could I cope with sharing a tent with the newly single man I'd loved for years? I'd be ok as long as there were other people around.But when the truck breaks down on our way, leaving us at least a couple of days from civilisation, it leaves me wondering what the hell we are going to do to pass the time?Feel free to do as you will with this one. I'd prefer a fair bit of partially clothed sweaty outdoor smexin'. Have fun!Photo Description: NSFW – two guys in a vehicle, daytime, engaged in oral sex.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Read the story online or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 3.

    Despite his mischief-making Gran’s insistence, he doesn’t have the time or the nerve to chase potential dates. Then one day on the beach, after a hard day’s ice cream sales, he meets the mysterious and gorgeous Admael. Now Jonathan doesn’t need to do the chasing—Admael’s ready and willing to make Jonathan as happy as he's ever wanted. And even if Jonathan’s too nervous to think of anything beyond how to smuggle Admael home on the No. 7 bus, Gran is always on hand to offer him some lewd suggestions. Now Jonathan just has to worry about hiding Admael's wings...

    Photo Description: A naked man lies bound on crisp white sheets—his blindfold appears to be a white pillowcase, his gag: a white towel. The man's testicles are separated and strung tightly with a white shoelace, rivulets of cum streaking across his abdomen.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Read the story here or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 5.

    The casual meetings that sustained him will be over soon—Raymond’s parents are moving from the old family home.The weeping willow tree in Raymond’s back yard is a place of transformations: from caterpillar to beautiful moth, from child to youth to adult. The old tree might retain enough of its childhood magic to open Raymond’s eyes and let him see the loving man where the adoring child once stood.Original Prompt:Dear Author,Everyone keeps telling me I'm too young to really know what I want or who I am yet. Give it time, don't be rash. But it's all just noise -- just blah blah blah -- when I see him.He's older, wiser, experienced and he makes me melt every time he looks at me. He's what I want and his boyfriend is who I am. Well, I'm hoping that's where tonight will lead, anyway. I'm going to do my damnedest to seduce him, to show him I can give him the sweet and tender I'm betting he needs.He spends his days being tough and confident, but I know there's a marshmallow angel inside him. I can take care of him. I can. Even if I've never done anything like this before. I have to try.Photo Description: An older, naked mystery man lies back, left leg bent so his foot is flat on a white bed, hands on his torso. His naked teenaged lover is on hands and knees between his legs, arms braced to either side of his hips. The blonde youth stares at him with intent.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Download the story, read it here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 3 or Don't Read in the Closet: GayRomLit Retreat 2011 Special Edition.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, friends to lovers, age-difference, college, vanilla, outdoorsWord Count: 4,382

    When he finally gets his chance to talk to him, Mateo’s response, or lack thereof, is enough to have Elias vowing to never make such a fool of himself again, not for any guy, no matter how hot.But then the flowers start arriving. Every day, each with a special meaning, a story to tell him – a secret admirer who has a way with words even though Elias doesn’t even know who he is.When Elias finds himself in over his head late one night and Mateo comes to his rescue, can Elias learn to stop expecting pretty words and start listening to his heart instead? Original Prompt:Dear Author,This young guy is a shy florist. [picture 1]His dream is to build up a courage to ask out the sexy mechanic who works across the street. A mechanic who wears EYELINER that drives our florist crazy. He just doesn't know what to do! He doesn't even know if the sexy mechanic knows he's alive.Wearing this kind of t-shirt (below) is a bit too blatant, isn't it? *grin*. [picture 2]Well, if you can help him to get his HEA, you will make my florist's summer.Photo Description: [picture 1] A lithe, dark-haired man hugs a bouquet of white lilies to his bare chest, face tilted to the flowers until one silky petal lies against his chin. The curve of his muscled arm, and the wistful look on his face, suggest it is not flowers he imagines in his embrace. [picture 2] A young man wearing a white t-shirt with the phrase ‘I love boys in eyeliner'.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Download the story at Author's website [pdf format], read it online or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 4.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, flowers, public sex, hot men in eyeliner, guy next door, blue-collarWarnings: mild assaultWord Count: 9,853

    When he gets a job overseas, Abram feels that he has to follow his lover, but he still harbors doubts of his own worthiness. Those doubts come to a head during the long flight to begin their new lives. How far is Abram willing to go to keep Beau to himself? Sometimes in matters of the heart, you just have to dive in and sink or swim.Original Prompt:Dear Author,I will leave the story up to you. What ever gets your creative juices going is fine with me. These men just need a story.Photo Description: A close-up photo of the faces of two dark-haired, scruffy, shirtless young men in a field of red wildflowers. They are lying down in opposite directions. One's head rests on the other's chest, the other's head pillowed on a bent arm to look at the viewer.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Download the story, read it here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 3 or Don't Read in the Closet: GayRomLit Retreat 2011 Special Edition.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, established couples, travel, new beginnings, mile-high, first-person, HEAWord Count: 13,815

    But my ex was ten years older, ready to start a family. To keep a classy guy like him happy with tattooed me I gave sperm and we got a surrogate. When I saw my son I was in love... I thought he was, too. Six months later he says Archer is a mistake, kicking us out. Now that it is just the two of us can I find true love?This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Read the story here or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 10.

    Falsely accused of misusing his powers, he was banished to earth with no clothes, no money, nothing except a dagger to his name. Brandon was betrayed by his boyfriend and is running from thugs who are going to kill him, if he doesn't pay them twenty thousand dollars. He has no way to get that kind of money, and doesn't know what to do. When Samael crashes to earth, nearly landing in Brandon's lap, things get complicated fast, flipping Brandon's life into a chaos that he has never known. Danger and intrigue lurk around every corner, and nothing is what it seems

    Windows down and moving across the country to accept a job promotion, Devlin catches the scent of the one person he never expected to find again. To save the one he lost years ago, Devlin finds himself in more trouble than just breaking the council's decree. This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Read the story here or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 1.