A while ago I wrote The Spot, in which our hero is transformed into our heroine by video magic into a woman and whisked to an exotic locale simply by opening a bottle of the sopnsor's dish soap. Of course he learns to like it and lives happily ever after in women's clothes.

Imagine my surprise when I saw this in the detergent aisle of the supermarket. I have to wonder if it would work for me if I started using the stuff.

Uig, the gateway to the isles....
It is doubtful that my lodging for Monday/Tuesday has anything like a decent internet connection (if at all) so I'm posting this from a damp and windy Uig. That means that you lucky people get to read the last part of Coming Out from Undercover a day early... Good Eh.

It's time to announce the winners of the July story contest!

We had a lot of great entries this time around. I want to make sure every last author who wrote for the contest knows just how much I appreciate their hard work. It's the stories that keep a site like BCTS alive, and without your dedication and effort none of us would have this wonderful place to call home.

I notice that more and more blog postings are about book releases. I wonder if there could be a dedicated place for books, where they could last a little longer than in the blogs. I have no problem with authors making a posting about their books in the blogs, but I think to encourage sales, a longer lasting place might be appropriate. In other words, when the release falls off the blog, it could move to the new place. The Forums section seems dead, maybe that is where they could go.

Does something like this seem workable Erin? What do others think?

Dawn

A year or so ago I read a brilliant story... and I can't remember it. Could anyone help me remember where it is please?

A young boy is a talented artist attending a catholic school. His family however are not very supportive of his talent.
He enters a statewide talent contest having forged his parents approval and gets through the preliminary round. The only problem is his covert
alter ego is a girl.

Her winning art series is based on the 'manners of death'

If you could help it would be very much appreciated. Thank you

Persephone

Hi! I've re-posted my two Wallander serials as a novella. I hope you folks like it. Thanks!

The contest for July is over! Entries closed! No admittance!

SCRAM!

That said, now that entries are closed, you all still have juuuuuust under a week to get your voting done. I'll be opening all the stories at midnight CST this coming Saturday, and the number of votes the stories have at that time is the value they will be ranked on. You'll get the announcement concerning winners early Sunday, along with the announcement for the September story contest!

Not sure what is going on. I've lost a few files, one that I was ready to publish. My screen print size is gone round the bend, so it looks like it is time to switch machines.

Gwen

Well, my muse brought me a little snippet, so I'm sharing it with you, my friends. Hope you like it!

https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/fiction/75371/gibraltar-falls

I posted a new blog on my website giving a bit of an update on both my writing and the site itself. I'm seeking a little bit of input on the new site theme. If you don't mind terribly, could you pop over read the blog and give me your input.Click here to read it.

Have a delightfully demented day,

Daniel A. Wolfe

I am looking for a story I read several years ago about 5 astronauts on an exploratory expedition that land on a planet that is ruled by large (very tall) women. Men are or are becoming extinct, and the women use the astronauts sperm to repopulate the planet. Each of the rulers of the planet take one of the men as their personal companion .
Thanks for any help identifying the title or author of this story.

Yet another new book published on Amazon.
Fickle Fate (.com)
Fickle Fate (.co.uk)

Think Robocop and the bionic woman and give it a Tanya Allan twist....

a friend said I'm rather like London buses... you wait for ages and then two come along together... well, hopefully, there will be less of a wait for the next one.
My thanks again to Tom for editing!

Tanya

I can now break the silence - your favourite author has been incommunicado as she's been fixing things at the Tour de France.

Seems all her hard shouting at the screen has paid off, tomorrow we'll be celebrating (barring complete disaster) the 6th British win in seven years at le Grand Boucle with a third rider taking the honours this year - let's hear it for Geraint Thomas, your time lad, is now!

When your having fun. Hard to believe that I've been a member for 7 years now.

Can you believe it, Gabycon 2018 is just two weeks away!

I need some help now, whilst I know when some of you will come it would be really useful to know when others will arrive - I need to sort out somewhere to eat for Friday and maybe Saturday and I need numbers.

So if you are intending joining us for all or even just part of the weekend please drop me a line.

The programme is coming together, i've got tea shops lined up, visits to Creswell Crags for the cave art, Thoresby Hall Museum and some of Gaby's old stomping grounds.

I look forward to seeing you all

I miss John's sarcastic, sage, and humorous comments. Do we know why he disappeared?

indeed, Gothic Gaby can now be read here for free!

Just a reminder to people that the Staycation story contest closes entries on Tuesday, July 31st at Midnight whatever-the-heck-your-local-time-zone-is, so if you've got an entry waiting to be written then hop to it, and if you've got one waiting to get posted, then what's the hold up huh?

:)

Hello,

I have just read that the TV series Supergirl is to get a Transgender Superhero. Here is the link:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-44915149

This leads me to ask a question. Why are superheros such an American genre? Is it purely down to Comic / Graphic novels, or something deeper?

I would love to read your responses.

Love to all

Anne G.

It's been a trying week, far too many hours worked though I did learn that I'd passed my university exam so can proceed to the next level - it's like a very expensive computer game at times. Today, Saturday, is the anniversary of my son's death and I drove up to Wales and back, getting on for three hundred miles with a very early start.

For anyone who has an address in the United Kingdom, please sign the petition to stop the culling of badgers. It's being done to supposedly prevent the spread of bovine TB, which is a serious disease. However, the science doesn't back up the killing of badgers and may make it worse by causing perturbation. This is the movement of badgers caused by change in the population through culling.

I hope that Barbara Allen,Torey,Amethyst,Irvine,Katelyn,Leila,GrandiaKnight,Waterdog,&Natasa Jacobs is doing OK & where they are at.I hope to read more of they're stories soon.If u see any of our Sibling on here from my list above let them know how much we miss their Stories please

So I had a really good time at the author's group meeting. The group was very nice, we talked about stories, I felt pretty comfortable with them. I'll definitely go back if I have the ability to.

Switzerland to England.

England to Switzerland.

Switzerland to England.

England to Switzerland.

Switzerland to England.

England to Switzerland.

All in this month. The last mentioned being tomorrow morning, leaving home at 0500.

Then on Wed/Thurs another Switzerland to England.

Then the following week

England to Switzerland.

Switzerland to England. Whereupon, the plan is, that we shall be fully and completely moved.

Hi all,

I'm trying to find a story - not sure if it was posted here as a serial or if it has been published; it is a sci-fi about a space pilot forcibly transgendered (m2f) - rescued from the enemies "hospital" ship along with other crew who have also been changed. Helps some other crew come to terms with their change, while still having issues hirself. Finds out she looks like a member of an allied planets rulers, and that there is a plot to destabilize that planet.

Any ideas?

Boy is son of top American ?football player; mum very anti him dressing, boy gets away /? runs away; Mom gets him back - kidnap etc

I entered the staycation contest and wanted to know how to change my entry to read SOLO. If you would tell me how for the next time and fix it too.

thanks

Thank you to all the readers and future readers who are peeking in on Metamorphosis - A Jessica Jade Story. I appreciate all the comments and messages you are sending me as I post two chapters a week.

I appreciate Erin making BigCloset a writer's showcase to present new works. It's giving me an opportunity to hear great feedback and wonderful constructive criticism from many talented writers and fans.

with a belated Gaby chapter! Yup, chapter 3, And History can be read now.

To me, there are three critical parts to a book. The first half of the first chapter; major characters are introduced, tone and theme are set. If you don't have them hooked halfway through chapter 1, you're screwed and they may not continue. The final chapter, all questions should be answered and give closure unless continuation via sequels. Third; the backstory. No matter where you put it in the book, you eventually should explain why things are the way they are. If it's a series, you can stretch that, just as long as you don't contradict previous information.

Footsteps in the Sea Volume 5 is now available on Amazon Kindle via the links in the right hand column and I'm definately havind a Seniors Day.

I started this one, like, maybe ten years ago and, like the main character, had very little of it completed. I wasn’t sure how it was going to go but now I kind of have a good idea on where I’m going to take it and I can assure you it’s not going to be stereotypical or the same ol’ same ‘ol but it will tell the story of a relationship from the other side of the fence (for lack of better words) and how that love story is endangered due to social media.

The title is not etched in stone.
In fact, I’m kind of thinking of switching it around

I've got an old Microsoft Surface tablet/laptop to give away. It's the atom CPU version of the Surface 3 so not too exciting but it has a nice display and the "type" keyboard with real keys. Battery takes and holds a charge. Includes power adapter/cord but I don't have the pen.

Would appreciate a pledge to cover shipping costs (probably around $12). US only unless you want to cover international shipping cost.

First PM claiming it gets it.

Woody

Well, a week from today, I am going to have the opportunity to meet with a group of local women writers of speculative fiction. To say I'm nervous is putting it mildly. So send extra huggles this week, if you can spare them?

It's been longer than I expected, loads going on at the moment but only a couple of weeks later than I promised, Footsteps in the Sea volume 5, with the title Volcano is up on Amazon Kindle and should be available on Monday or soon after.
There will be a link in the right hand column so order from here and help the site.

So... Neimar Jr shouted "wolves" (died on the field for no apparent reason) one too many times during eights finals game... This time every fall of brasilian footballer was met with concerted "I don't believe you!" by judges...

Five of my ebooks are on sale till July 10th. All are priced $1.99 at United States Amazon.
They are-

The final chapter of "E-Girl: the Gift" is up. I hope people enjoy it.

https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/fiction/75073/e-girl-gift-cha...

Has anyone heard from Angharad? The last personal post I’ve seen on BC was of her holiday in Spain and she hasn’t replied to my last two emails.

As I make my plans to celebrate Independence Day I remember the men who signed the revered document known as the Declaration of Independence. They were great men with a great vision. Their greatness was in their willingness to risk all they had. A testament to the fact they knew just what was at stake is contained in the final paragraph of that document.

I've read Missing Without a Trace (Book 1) and love it. (See actual review below) I'm closely following book two.

Review:

Packed with action, this story grips your attention right from the start. The disappearance of a research team on a remote island presents a mystery that can’t be ignored. Our heroine finds herself in over her head while she, the local sheriff and her prospective boyfriend attempt to unravel it.

If I gift this way I can only find a link where it goes to "The debt kitty". Am I missing something? If there is a way to split my gift do you have a preferred split?

A few days ago, someone commented about how scary Steven King novels and I was reminded of the story “I have no mouth and I must scream” by Harlan Ellison.

I think even King’s stories pale compared to the horror at the end of that story.

And then yesterday I learned that he had died last week.

I don’t think he wrote any TG stories, but his Dangerous Visions collection definitely broke many barriers and helped allow the wealth of TG fantasy and science fiction that we enjoy today.

And I found this quote especially inspiring.

All my stories that I post use exactly the same HTML preamble, with just the changes made to the titles.

Every single other one I have posted displays our "Anmar Grakh" 'logo' we use to alert readers. For some reason my latest (#90) does NOT display this on the Story Teasers page and yet DOES display it when you click on the story title and go there.

Smart, tough, and sexy.

Those are just a few of the words people would use to describe Ember, and not necessarily in that order. Then again, being a witch with a penchant for the kind of magic almost exclusive to dark, steamy nights soaked in lust, it's easy to get them mixed up.

So... This conversation happened with my eighteen year old earlier... I was discussing my current story that I’m writing and with me writing a teen romance type story who better to bounce my ideas off of than a teen... I was telling her about a future scene that I am planning and once I was finished she actually shivered and went, ‘awwwww’... Then she fussed, “Dang it Dad! (I’m still dad to them, thats okay with me) That gave me chill bumps!!! Now I need to shave my legs again, I hate you!!!” By the way, her ‘hating’ me was said with her laughing while rubbing the bumps on her legs...

Jazz is complete. I am so happy for her.

After a lot of deliberation and a bit of negotiating i'm able to announce that the 2018 Gabycon will take place on the weekend of August 11/12 based near Mansfield, Notts, England - Drew/Gaby's original stomping ground.

Word Count: 100,000+

College, Starting Over, the sixth book in the Lee Corcoran series, follows Lee Corcoran, a freshman in college at the University of Michigan whose life is not going totally as planned.

Let’s be honest, if you want to understand everything, reading the previous five books is the only way. The books follow Lee and his best friend Darby, a girl.