R. Cooper's Blog

Hey, everyone!

Things are, well, not great here in America at the moment. Obviously. Things are about to get very tough, or tougher, for a lot of us. It sucks. It sucks a lot. But that doesn't mean there is nothing to be done.

Major corporations-as in perhaps one named after a large river or ancient women warriors-are getting even less welcoming to creators like me. Meta (which owns FB, Threads, and Insta among other places) is also getting increasingly hostile.

So if you want to find and continue to follow marginalized authors right now, you might need to track them down on Bluesky or Reddit or Tumblr or someplace. You might need to go to their websites and/or subscribe to their newsletters. You might need to do it soon.

I know that sounds a little paranoid if you aren't aware of the situation in the US, but it's actually worse than that.

So I have some more advice for you as readers (and as writers if you follow me): do not rely on that river-named corporation as your sole source of income. You cannot trust them. Try not to use or support them if you can anyway, as much as you can.

At this point, I should tell you that GR is owned by that corporation. Frankly, they don't let me do anything here anymore except these blog posts. So I am leaving it (as much as I can) so they do not get any revenue or stat hits from me.

As a corporation, river-named business still dominates the market, much as Meta does, and small businesses and creators still do need to use it in a lot of ways. But we need to work to change that.

That is the current situation and god I wish I were a happier one. I have books to write and promote! Instead, me and many authors are struggling to find places for our work and fighting against right wing assholes.


So, this is me suggesting that you all go find and follow the authors you love directly, be it on Bluesky or through their newsletters.

Visit bookshop.org or itchi.io to buy your ebooks, or get them directly through the author's website.

Get an ereader that is not a Kindle. Other ereaders let you put on books from anywhere--even fanfiction!

Get paperbacks from local bookstores. Use your local libraries.

And if you want to track your reading but don't want to support GR anymore, try Storygraph! (You can even import your GR reading history)

Also, in America, the Queer Liberation Library exists and is free to join for access to queer books. :)


My links:

Website: www.riscooper.com (link to my newsletter can be found there, or in my GR profile)

Tumblr: @sweetfirebird or @queerromancerecs (for queer romance recs, obviously)

Bluesky: @r.cooper.bsky.social

Insta (for as long as I have it): @riscoops

Patreon: patreon.com/rcoops

My threads is still active (and can be found through my Insta) but unless Meta does a DRAMATIC course correction, which I doubt, I will not use it much, if at all.

Same for my Facebook (link in my GR profile)

my Storygraph though I haven't added much yet.

And I am also on BookBub




I would also recommend that you download or buy paperbacks of any queer fiction (or straight fiction that is "smutty" so that you don't lose it. As a precaution.


Ugh, this sucks. Hopefully, with all of us pushing back, it changes and I can just post book release info again. But it's best to be prepared.

2024 is about halfway through and I am so tired. It has been s t r e s s f u l. But that is also probably why I have written what is possibly the lightest thing (by my standards) I have done in a while.

Fox of Fox Hall

an m/m fantasy romance about Fox, who is not a fox (but he does have a tail), but is often called Foxlike. He's also called the King's Fox a lot, because he was (is???) the king's lover and the king raised him up from obscurity to be the court musician and perhaps also to entertain the king by being clever, and a bit cruel.

Fox is also miserable, and lonely, and certain he is finally about to be tossed from court despite his friendship(??? situationship??) with the king because the king is actively seeking a consort. Or is supposed to be. The court, while awful, is the closest thing to a home Fox has ever known, so he is stressed and devastated but forced to pretend that he isn't.

Enter one knight. *The* knight. The most famous knight in the land and infamously the one knight not especially afraid of the king. He offers Fox a place to stay while the castle is crowded with potential consorts and their families. He also... might be in love with Fox. Not that Fox would have any idea because Fox does not think of himself as someone to be loved. No one ever has, and even the king has tossed him aside. And Fox is... a bit ashamed of being cruel and clever on the king's command. The knight, Conall, is out to convince him of the truth.

Fox has no idea about this either.

All of which makes it sound serious, but I assure you, it's people with tails wearing pretty clothes and cuddling and fucking and Fox being charmed despite his worries.

Fox of Fox Hall - June 27th!

Hey so, in part because things out there are getting harder for creatives, and partly things out there are getting real fucking bleak for queer people, I've set up a little place to help spread some queer joy.

Queer Romance Recs

A blog over on Tumblr where readers submit works of queer romance that they loved that then will get shared and hopefully reblogged all over Tumblr.

What counts? (You can check the blog guidelines.) Anything queer with romance as either the central or one of the main plotlines. We are not exclusionists, so queer means LGBTQA+ (at least one of the main characters). And *romance* means either of the genre of Romance or any other work of fiction (including graphic novels and comics, and potentially tv shows etc int he future) with romance as an important aspect of it.

You do not have to be a Tumblr user, although if you submit something, it will ask for your email (because it emails me, the moderator, with it, and then you again once I post your submission.) You do not need to do a big formal review either. You can c&p the official plot summary if you want and then say as much, or as little, as you want to about why you liked that work.

There are a few posts up already for anyone looking for examples. (They are all m/m so far, which is fine, but I'd really like some other stuff too.)

I really hope this catches on. We need more fun and happiness and joy (and stuff to read). <3

with a little prequel. And not just a prequel like A Suitable Bodyguard was set slightly before the first book. A prequel like, what was it like before there was ever a capital, and it was the time of the Earls with all their warring? And what if someone got fed up and decided to start challenging Earls... and then an especially terrible Earl forced one of his sons into an alliance against his will to help that Earl defend himself against this upstart? And what if that son then ran away only to find himself in the hands of that very upstart????



A Suitable Captive

The mysterious figure known as the Wild Dog has risen up to crush and humiliate the Earls who control the North. Fen, son of a powerful Earl, has been sent to form an alliance to benefit his father’s plans against the bold rebel. There are many kinds of alliances in the world of nobles, but political alliances often grow to include the intimacy of lovers or even marriage, and Fen has been ordered to use his famed beauty seduce his intended, regardless of what he feels. But Fen has no love for his cruel father or in forming any kind of alliance with a noble his father prefers. He takes his first chance to run, only to end up lost and hungry in vast wilderness… where he is found by the Wild Dog himself.

Lan, called Wild Dog by furious Earls who don’t like to be challenged, looms over Fen and most others, and yet carries Fen when Fen is too weak to walk any longer. He allows his friends to tease him and ensures his people are fed before he sits for his own meals. Fen, who has rarely known kindness, is captivated. But Fen is also an Earl’s cub, and if the Wild Dog can change rules that have always existed, then so can Fen. Without his father’s say he offers an alliance of his own, promising to use his knowledge of the nobles to help the Wild Dog achieve his aims. No seduction is required, although for the first time in his life, Fen considers it. Each time Lan listens to him, or pulls him close to share warmth as they sleep, or shows that he trusts Fen, Fen wants him in a way he barely understands.

But Fen is more powerful than he realizes or that his nickname of “Flower” would suggest. He sees destiny at work when he looks at Lan. The Wild Dog is something greater than a mere Earl, and fate, or the fae, have placed Fen in his path. Now it’s time for Fen-the-flower to decide if his agreement with Lan might become more—an alliance, or marriage, for the ages.

Available December 26th!!

I'm very happy about this just being out and ready to go. It's been a year of professional frustrations over things outside of my control. Speaking of, the plan is still for the Holly and Oak audiobook to be out in December... my plan. The producer is.... *muffled scream*
Anyway. I am sure once it's finally out, it will be a fun listen for Chester, my bitchy queer baby.

December will be a writing month for me if all things go well, and probably some charity stuff. For that, stay tuned to my tumblr, facebook, or bluesky. <3

If you subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on Tumblr, you know I've had some life stuff that has delayed a lot of my projects and sapped some of my confidence. Despite that, I finished the last book and it is ready to go. I just don't have the energy for much promotion; it is what it is.

But, here goes....

Trevor Takes Care

Sent to take care of his grandmother during lockdown, twenty-eight-year-old Trevor is surprised at how quickly he takes to The Grandma Lifestyle, learning how to manage her household. His world has narrowed down to the tiny street where his grandma and her neighbors live, but Trevor’s only real complaints are his stalled career and love life. He has some plans for his career. It’s his love life that’s the bigger problem.

At the start of 2020, Trevor and his boyfriend Sky broke up when Sky got a job offer in another state and moved away. But he and Sky have never stopped talking—and doing a lot more than talking, even if that’s all online now. Sky, something of a genius, has a tendency to act bratty to get what he wants without having to ask for it, including Trevor dominating him. But even if Trevor weren’t still finding his way when it comes to the kinkier side of their unofficial relationship, he doesn’t think he can approach Sky to ask for the relationship he wants after already ending it once.

Complicating things, Trevor’s crush on one of his neighbors has intensified since he finally got to speak to the elusive older bear down the street. G.G. closed himself up in his house long before any lockdowns, protecting himself from people who don’t appreciate his sensitive nature. G.G. has more experience in the world of kink, and the way he looks at Trevor makes Trevor want him the way wants Sky—as a boyfriend and as a submissive.

If Trevor wants this unconventional family for himself, he’ll need to make Sky finally admit what he wants and convince G.G. he can have love and not just a paddling… and to maybe get his old-fashioned, if slightly rebellious, grandma to approve of the whole ‘two boyfriends’ thing. It feels impossible, but Trevor has spent the last few years learning how to take care of people. Now it’s time for him to do what he does best.

A polyam m/m/trans m romance-- Out October 10th!!

As for small updates: for the moment at least, I have a small Etsy shop for silly merch. It's probably a temporary shop, but it's there. It's called FamiliarBeings.

I also now have a BlueSky acct: @rcooper.bsky.social
(but for all my other links: linktr.ee/thercooper )

And an audiobook for Holly and Oak is in the works!
Out soon!

:):):)

Hope everyone is doing well, and that your struggles are surmountable. ... and that you get yourself a small treat soon. You deserve it. <3

I haven't had anything huge to update in a while, so things have been quiet. Sorry... unless you enjoyed that. lol It's about to end now though.

NEW BOOK!

Introducing A Suitable Bodyguard, set in the same universe as A Suitable Consort (For the King and His Husband) but ten years earlier, and with new characters. (It's also m/m not m/m/m)

Featuring: a reserved warrior bodyguard type who learns how to use his words, a tiny half-fae noble going through some weird physical changes while also trying to protect the valley his family rules from all the political chaos mentioned in the first book, seven dwa--er--human guards, fairy magic doing some awkward matchmaking, and romantic hair braiding.



For nearly twenty years, noble families have torn the country apart battling for the throne. Until now, the Tialttyrin have avoided the chaos, since no other nobles will risk offending the mysterious, powerful fae by attacking their favorites. But as the violence encroaches into the Tialttyrin’s green valley, continued peace might require action. Or so Zelli, the family’s youngest and most fae member, believes.

Sheltered and inexperienced, Zelli resolves to save the valley and his family even if it means sneaking away to act on his own. He stops only to ask his family’s sworn guard Tahlen’s opinion on the matter. Thoughtful and reserved despite his young age, Tahlen has experience with the war going on outside the valley, as well as the respect of the other guards and the ear of the leader of the Tialttyrin. He surprises Zelli by agreeing something has to be done and that Zelli is the one to do it, but insists that if Zelli goes, Tahlen must go with him.

Tahlen is oath-bound to protect Zelli with his body and his life, but that oath says nothing about accompanying Zelli on a forbidden journey, or offering countless acts of service to the smallest and most useless member of the Tialttyrin family.

Zelli has no idea what to make of that and little time to think on it. His fae blood has started to act up in the most embarrassing ways, dangers from outside are creeping in like the fog the valley is known for, and the confusing stirring in his heart when Tahlen is near seems to be getting stronger.

As Zelli glimpses the warmth beneath Tahlen’s stony exterior, he grows closer to understanding his own feelings and how far he will go to keep Tahlen’s sacrifice from ever being necessary. It will take all of his quick thinking and generous nature, as well as some help from the unseen fae, but Zelli of the Tialttyrin will protect his people, his family, and above all, Tahlen.

A Suitable Bodyguard , out on April 22nd in ebook and paperback!


(Tahlen, my beloved, you gotta use your words.)

Surprising even myself, I've added another book to the Familiar Spirits series. I just wanted some coziness, and comfort, and good food, and the sort of care only Lucas Greysmith can provide to one fussy little Robin Blessing.
<3

A Little Blessing
Familiar Spirits Book Four

Yule is the start of the new year, the midwinter festival for the solstice and the days afterward. Traditions are to burn logs and light candles to welcome the return of the sun, to celebrate with food and cheer and family, and to remember connections with the past.

Robin Blessing never felt much need for that last part; he lives in his family’s old farmhouse with the ghosts of his long-dead relatives. Anyway, he has no time for Yule. Alone, overworked, and ill, the holiday and any coven obligations that go with it are the last things on his mind.

So he is not pleased to open his door and find Lucas Greysmith on the other side. Lucas is a legendary figure in Ravenscroft; marked by great magic, part of a powerful family, annoyingly tall and good-looking, and yet always asking after Robin when Robin is fine, thank you very much. Someone as important as Lucas should have better things to worry about than one little witch who won’t use his Sight, and Robin usually wouldn’t hesitate to tell him so.

Instead, Robin faints right at Lucas’ feet.

When Robin wakes up, it’s to find that the Greysmiths have decided that Lucas will stay with Robin for the duration of the Yule season to help him recover, and Robin is in no position to protest. The more rest he gets, the more he realizes that he’s been lonely, that he needs the help, and that there might have been a reason Lucas has been asking after him all these years. If Robin had used his gift, he might have seen what Lucas has been patiently waiting for.

Yule is both an end and a beginning, and for first time in years, Robin looking forward to what the future might bring.


Out on December 9th on most platforms!


A Little Blessing

Since Twitter is being destroyed by both malice and incompetence, I have deactivated my Twitter account--not that I used it much. Not that it was ever all that safe or welcoming to the marginalized, but all bets seem to be off now, and hate speech encouraged, so I am OUT.

It seems like a good time to post the other ways that people can find out information about any new releases I have going on, or, if they are truly interested (though why?) what current nerdiness I am into in my personal life.

So, here, obviously. I do post updates on new releases here.

Also, BookBub. You can sign up to get notified about new releases there. @riscoops

I don't use Facebook much, but I have an author page where releases/sales/updates are posted. @thealmightyris

Then of course, for more social things, there is Instagram (@riscoops),
Tumblr (@sweetfirebird),
and Pillowfort (@RCooper).


And, as always, the website. www.riscooper.com
where there are updates and links and also a link to my newsletter, if people would rather get news that way. :)


All of these are linked in my bio here and at my linktree.

linktr.ee/thercooper


:)

A release date at last for this very long project! August 31st! Prepare to (maybe) hurt a little bit and suffer through someone rather heroic being accidentally glorious.

(Um, also please note the summary for this book, and the content tags I put it on the copyright info page. Those should be visible on all reading samples.)

Forget Me Not

Detective Ray Branigan protects his chosen city of Los Cerros. Whatever feelings he has on how he is treated as a werewolf in a police department of mostly humans, Ray keeps to himself for the sake of being what he is supposed to be and doing what he thinks he is supposed to do.

…Until he wakes up in an alley with a headache, magic tingling in his nose, and no memory of the half-fairy in front of him claiming to be his mate. Ray does not have a mate, yet his instincts tell him this is right—and that something else is very wrong.

Werewolves who lose their mates get self-destructive or violent. But a miscalculation in the spell used against him has temporarily spared Ray that fate. While he still can, he has to find who did this to him, and why, and try not to get too distracted by the brilliant half-fairy who smells like home.

Callalily “Cal” Parker is beautiful, clever—and far too careful when discussing their past. Fairies are supposed to speak the truth, but maybe Cal is right to hide it from Ray, since the pack Ray has fought so hard to believe in, the police, seem to have abandoned him, and, his instincts whisper, cannot be trusted now, which means that maybe Ray shouldn’t be trusted either.

But the spell is still at work, weakening even a werewolf’s strength. When Ray can no longer fight off the magic, will he become the monster so many think he is, or the hero that his mate insists he must be—that he wants to be, to save himself, and help his city, and make his Callalily proud?

August 31st!

Forget Me Not

Right now, it's up on Amazon and Smashwords, but other retailers will follow soon.


I've talked about this one a bit in my newsletter and on my Tumblr and Patreon, but you do not have to have read Some Kind of Magic to read this one, but it might add something. Which is why SKoM will be 99 cents all through August.

For info on anything else, you can always sign up for my newsletter or just check out my site (www.riscooper.com) --there is a link to the sign up form for the newsletter on the homepage of the site.

Jericho Candelario's Gay Debut is free on Smashwords all through June! For anyone looking for a soft, slightly sad, mostly sweet pick-me-up!

Jerry Candelario, known as Potts to almost everyone, has spent his entire adult life focused on raising his siblings and his niece. But the home he fought hard to make feels empty since everyone has grown up and moved out, and his precious baby niece is now a teen with a life of her own. With fewer people at the dinner table every night, Jerry suddenly has all the time in the world to think about what he wants.

For years, Jerry has kept to himself, never going to college, never dating or doing anything with his evenings except getting lost in a book. But although he pushed aside his longing for community and romance, he never stopped imagining the freedom he might have in a distant someday.

Then kind, clever, and out Lincoln Lee opened a bakery in Jerry’s small town. Jerry told himself he was lucky when they became friends. He was too busy to try for a relationship, and someone like Lincoln would never want someone like him anyway. But now that Jerry’s nights are free, all he wants to do is spend them with Lincoln. Jerry knows nothing about gay culture, or dating, or being in love. With Lincoln, he wants to try, but is he making a fool of himself or is his someday finally here?

Jericho Candelario's Gay Debut