Today I’m going behind the scenes of Through the Mist. This short story holds a special, if bittersweet place in my heart as it was written for the Wishing on a Blue Star anthology in celebration of author Patric Michael. It was a special project by Dreamspinner Press & ManLoveRomance Press and edited by Kris Jacen.
There’s so much to love about this anthology, and no matter how much is said, I feel it is never enough. While it doesn’t touch on the actual stories inside, here’s the anthology description:
How much impact can someone have on your life if you’ve never met them face to face? In this electronic age of E-mails, electronic publishing, and social networks, quite a lot. Through his emails, stories and blog, author Patric Michael has touched numerous hearts, minds and lives from the start of his career and further as he now takes us along on his journey to battle cancer.
Along the way, Patric shows us a side of life that not many truly see-- how we are all a part of something larger than just ourselves, and how we are each touched by others for the betterment of all. Now, those that have been touched by Patric and his words have joined together to give something back, to him and to us all through something he values highly – words.
In this compilation, gay short stories, poems, and anecdotes combined with excerpts from Patric's blog and a few entertaining, educational group posts reveal, and celebrate, the man who has touched so many hearts and minds.
This collection, sometimes erotic, sometimes irreverent, and always poignant, is a gift from all our hearts to celebrate Patric and give strength (and a little levity) to others. The price reflects this; no one is receiving royalties or payment from the sales. Use it to celebrate life, celebrate words, and possibly inspire someone who needs it.
The anthology is available in eBook from Amazon for free.
Like most of the authors involved in the anthology, I considered Patric a friend. While we never met in person, we shared a deeply raw and personal connection via email, bonding over my battle with sight loss and his battle with cancer. Our conversations were brutal, honest, and often painful, but Patric’s love of life and wicked humor was always present.
When I first got to know Patric, he immediately associated me with a short story (Bridge of Dreams – currently out of publication) I wrote around the construction of the Mackinac Bridge. The bridge is an amazing testament to will and determination, hammered into place by men of a different age and temperament. In appearance, the structure is fragile, delicate, and breathtaking. Underneath those initial impressions is the solid steel core, weathered by time and elements yet still refusing to give way.
Patric used to enjoy cycling, and I used this fact as a starting point for my story of two men, cycling around the Straits of Mackinac and struggling though the mist of a sometimes difficult relationship. Now, every time I visit the bridge, my thoughts turn to Patric, and during a trip to the Straits earlier this summer, I realized that for me, the two will always be joined together.
I was, and always will be, honored to be a small part of this anthology and I hope you will pick up a copy and remember Patric with me.
