It’s a beautiful morning, and as I was drinking my first morning coffee (no, I never stop at one!), I was thinking back to the stories that first captured my attention, and my heart, at BC. Two came to mind, each by an author that hasn’t posted here in years.
The first is Rebecca Anderson’s series Wild Horses, a heart-breaking story of love, transformation, life and loss from an author whose prose is absolutely amazing. I think I found this story through a Google search, and it brought me to BC.
The second is Anastasia Allread’s Camp Kumoni series about an outcast boy whose friend convinces him to go to summer camp as a girl. The series is filled with complex characters whose interactions feel real — and occasionally raw. Anastasia’s last post on the site was three years ago. That being the very heart of the pandemic, I worry.
There are so many wonderful stories on this site — a real treasure trove. The sad truth is that many won’t be read again, once the author stops posting. The “random solos” feature helps with this, though it doesn’t apply, obviously, to serials.
So my question is, what are your favorite stories, from authors we no longer see here? Which ones moved you to tears, or made you laugh? Which authors would you love to hear from again?
Comments
Woman in the Corner Office...
by Commentator. Well written and well crafted story. Timely too. Last heard from in June 2020, and truly missed.
Thank you!
I hadn’t caught this one, and I had enough time to get half-way through this morning, dropping kudos all the way. I kept thinking my buddy Rachel Moore would love it too!
Addendum — I finished the posted story, but lament that the story was never finished. She planned a whole ‘nother book, and the loss of it is a shame. The bigger shame, of course, is that Commentator, like Anastasia Allread, vanished from the site in the summer of 2020. I can only pray that both are still in good health, somewhere. And that they are still writing amazing stories, even if they are not being posted here.
— Emma
My favorite author no longer with us and some that still are.
Valentina Michelle Smith:
Unfortunately, Valentina is no longer with us I miss her terribly.
Some others who may or may not still be around.
Taylor Ryan
C.Sprite
Cheryl Bishop
Daniela Wolfe
Dawn DeWinter
Maeryn Lamonte
I've been hanging out here for over 18 years, so I could make this really long. I'll stop here though there are many more that I can't come up with right now.
Hugs
Patricia
Happiness is being all dressed up and HAVING some place to go.
Semper in femineo gerunt
Ich bin eine Mann
Hugs Emma
Camp Kumoni is one of the stories I remembered after I started reading the first few paragraphs. Problem with electronic form is the titles and authors aren't there on the book shelf as we scan past the books. Even though authors will still be read hundreds of years from now, they will be lost in the annals of time. So many are lost in a few years.
Now on to my tale of woe and pity party. Yesterday my computer was logging onto the net without my permission. The only way to stop it was pull the WiFi. I have the covered. I have a copy of my HD on a USB drive. Thus I tell Win to restore after plugging in the drive. (Win will be restored and all your addon programs and data will be saved) GREAT so I click, engage warp drive and let's do this. It does start restore but it ain't from the jump drive. Wait what is going on? Then a pop up. (All your addon will be deleted) NO WAIT, YOU LIED. Do I unplug the computer in the middle of a rebuild? I seriously thought about it. I haven't said I hate MS more than a hundred times as I rebuild my data back into the computer. I haven't said I hate computers more than fifty times as I load Firefox and Thunderbird and start rebuilding my links. I have to beg for my passwords from every site. No two passwords are the same and there are close to fifty of them. So far two required telephone calls.
Love you Emma, love your stories, hate MS
Barb
Life has challenges in it to make us stronger. I don't wannabe stronger.
Oklahoma born and raised cowgirl
I feel your pain
I used to be a Windows developer in a previous incarnation but it caused me so much high blood pressure dealing with the stupidity of the OS and MS Office that I abandoned it in 2001 after I discovered Linux. Okay, that has its own fun and games but (until systemd) at least you could pick and choose what you used and how it all fit together.
As for passwords I have this 5"x 3" index file on my desk which has, at the last count, over 200 cards with website URLs, usernames, email addresses[1] and passwords on it. That way if I lose everything then once rebuilt I can still get wherever I need to go. It also has a section with the root or admin passwords for every bit of kit in the house, which is around 70 cards now. That way, if I do get run over by a bus, whoever ends up looking after the fallout can access everything, even if it is just to shut it down safely.
[1] email addresses: Having suffered the standard ISP-supplied email addresses I went for a hosted solution. It costs me around £50-60 a year and that gives me my own domain(s) and up to 1,000 addresses that I can think up, as well as my own website. Therefore, when I use a website for commerce or for BC, for example, I can silo off any emails and they can't be used to cross-reference other activities I might do.
Penny
Paper needs goof file system
Hugs Miss Lane
I also have a print out of all my contacts and passwords. Now if I could only find them. I started putting them into an index file. Then I did a print out of all of them, several pages. The index files were old and only a few of them worked when I tried. How many times does the computer or the provider glitch and we receive a message our name and or password has been compromised and we need a new password? They won't let us reinstall the original password because in the annals of the electronic world that password was stolen or some such. Yeah right! The only time anyone "might" be able to figure out my passwords is when the site limits me to nine characters.
Now where did I put those print outs of all my passwords and contacts? Somewhere in the explosion of a paper maelstrom I foolishly call home lies the answer
An organized home or office is the product of a sick mind.
Hugs Miss Lane
Barb
I'll show up for my own funeral days late after they find my body somewhere among the confusion
Oklahoma born and raised cowgirl
You Picked Two of the Best
No Half Measures by Jenny Walker is a cut above the rest.
Anything by Bailey Summers.
Mister by Dimelza Cassidy on Fictionmania.
Jill
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
If I may
I would like to mention two of my personal all time favourite TG authors, and their works.
The incomparable Bronwen Welsh has written so many very fine works, but I have an especial soft spot for the Harriet Trilogy:
The Might Have Been Girl
All the World's a Stage. &
There is nothing like a Dame
That trilogy entertained me in my darkest times after my transition. It is simply wonderful, and I would (and have) recommend it to anyone and everyone.
I would also recommend Louise Anne Smithson's work.
Suzanne's Cousin Clare is heartwrenching, and returns me to a puddle of tears each and every time I read it, but it is life affirming, for all that.
A Summer of Changes
Honey Bunny &
Dancing Queen
are outstanding, and I recommend them to all and sundry.
I know I said two, but can I also throw in a recommendation for all of Maeryn Lamonte's work.
In particular Jigsaw Pieces
Crossmatched and Seven Dresses? All are quite wonderful.
Of course, there are so many fantastic TG Authors here. Emma Anne Tate, Maddy Bell, Sue Brown, Angharad....
Lucy xx
"Lately it occurs to me..
what a long strange trip its been."
Fond memories
"Being Christina Chase" by Admiral Krunch, "No Half Measures" by Jenny Walker, and "Kelly Girl" by Wanda Cunningham (wink, wink) are three of the works by authors no longer appearing on the site that inspired me as a gakusei in transgender fiction.
Also, one of my favorites, who no longer contributes, is Kaleigh Way, the author of the insanely imaginative and hilarious Marcie Donner stories. I'm sure I'll re-read them for the nth time before the year's out.
I wonder, sometimes, what happened to Kaleigh?
Addendum: I left out Karin Bishop, whom I first became acquainted with through "Academic." And her sequel to Jennifer White's "Rock Star."
Hugs,
Sammy
To many to count.
When I was lost, confused, scared and along. I found a friend in Zoey Taylor. The amazing person who penned the 'Robin Series'. I owe a debt that can not be repaid to her showing me the light. The 'Standing up to Life' series was shelter for some weeks and 'Frills' by Snow Fall showed me the promise of the south. And now, you Miss. Emma Anne Tate have joined that band of writers who have left their mark on my soul. I am a stranger her, I know I am. But it has been a privilage to read these stories. The stories I remember, that inspired me to write, are not here, but have been lost to the ebb and flow of time. Kasuto, Post Rapture, Iron-K, and so many others first showed me the power of the written, when I was a scared, lost, confused little boy with an equally confused, scared, lost little girl inside. And so while it might be off topic. I hope I can keep enjoying your stories Miss. Emma Anne Tate! When I see a new story posted by you, I feel that old magic flowing once more in my cup.
I am still discovering
many older writers who are much enjoyed. I'm afraid I won't read anything with magic, sci-fi, superheroes or marvelous gadgets as I like my characters to be well-grounded and deal with real life. The rest is just a cop-out. If I have to name one writer, I enjoy Melanie Brown's normal stuff not her sci-fi, as it's quite humorous.
Angharad
This is great!
Thank so much for sharing your favorites! Just so far, I’ve gotten recommendations for seventeen authors that I haven’t read yet. Think of the opportunities for binge reading. :)
It’s a balance, of course. There are so many wonderful stories being posted here every day, and I want our current authors to “feel the love” with comments, kudos and clicks. There were so many stories I love that got posted just last Friday that I had trouble keeping up!
But I also love to delve into the stories that are timeless— the ones my friends remember years later. Even when the author is no longer here on this site — or even, here among the living — when we read their work, it’s like they are with us still.
— Emma
Oldies but goodies
barnold, 'Zapped!' in particular
JulieO, 'COEDS' some crossover to 'Zapped'
Wren Phoenix, 'Wild Magic' in particular
Maggie the Kitten, 'One Last Shot' in particular
Sarah Lynn Morgan, all her stories but 'Emily' stands out to me
Allystra, 'Accidental Magic' a wild ride through time
Zylux, 'My Summer In Wonderland'
sleethr, 'Whisper' engrossing Whateley Academy story
Other Stories
I'm glad someone finally mentioned Sarah Lynn Morgan, I have enjoyed a number of her stories.
I would also suggest Sue Brown's Penmarris stories which starts with Changes.
For a story of mad cap adventures, I would recommend Susie and Jeffrey by Jamie Hayworth
Michelle B
I am a voracious reader
And a wannabe writer. I wandered in here about 9months ago From DeviantArt, pulled up a chair, grabbed a coffee, and commenced. I read about a book per day plus the flow from this site. Daily feed, solos, blogs, and comments (personal favorite).
My list of favorite authors is huge. There are so many talented and interesting people here and in the transgender lit world. Kindle keeps suggesting new adventures. Emma, I very much like what you write. I enjoy the sensibility. I prefer what goes on between ones ears over thighs even though a little titillation sure doesn't hurt.
Would everyone just continue doing what you've been doing, including kudos and comments, please.
Ron
Anistasis Allread
FWIW, A.A. answered my PM on January 21, 2022. Apparently she had non-writing projects she'd gotten involved in, along with "two new projects" that she wasn't going to post unfinished. Her serials here were on hiatus indefinitely, waiting for further inspiration.
She said then that she was checking in occasionally, but she didn't respond in July of that year when a couple of us PMed her, having noticed that the content for Chapter 4 of Princess and the Plague had disappeared (except for the "to be continued" at the end, so it wasn't one of those temporary "0 words" glitches that show up occasionally). If anyone here is reading it, I included a link to the Wayback version in the last comment. None of the stories shown on her track page are recent, strongly suggesting that she hasn't looked at stories here since then.
There don't seem to be any stories referenced on Commentator's track page from after mid-2020, or on the sites that her comments link to.
Eric
Thank you so much!
It’s good to know that at least one of them “checked in safe.” Summer of 2020 was a dangerous time.
— Emma
A Couple of Favorite Stories...
...by authors who never posted again:
Going There and Back Again, by Thliwent (10 parts, 2013) - one of my favorite time travel stories, TG or not.
A Blank Page, by Flummox (22 parts, 2018) - an introverted young teenage artist enters the state youth competition as a girl.
Eric
Perhaps Over A Dozen
I won't name anyone save to say that the character of BCTS has changed over the years and I don't know if the site has change or if it is I. At any rate, what I read here is not as appealing as it once was. From long ago, Ice Tiger was wonderful. SEE was wonderful. HAP was epic, Blayze is one I will mention.
Most of the stories here are Transgender ones and that is proper, because of its purpose. Finally, off all the drugs, after months I understand that I make a happy crossdresser but nothing more. I'd return to living as a male but after all I did to my body that is like shutting the barn door too late. Erin has been Golden to me.
Gwen
SEE ? If you mean Penny Lane
SEE ? If you mean Penny Lane's Somewhere Else Entirely she is still writing a very good story in that universe. Yes, SEE was something special.
One author I have not seen mentioned here
Elsbeth had several wonderful stories that appear to be sadly unfinished after she went silent around April 2020. The Lost Queen had just started Vol 3 and Freyja's Daughters appeared to be just hitting its stride when she dropped out of site :(
Diana
Forgot to mention
John in Wauwatosa. While not a prolific author, his stories are often fun and light-hearted, whimsical even, but his forte was the comments. Lots of comments with nary a bad thought towards others. John, wherever you may be, here's a toast to you
Hugs
Diana
How about another author
Haven’t seen anything from Sara UK. Believe it’s been about 4 plus years.
Kat Walker
Secondhand Life is funnier than a Marx Brothers movie.
Also, another author, of occasional TG themes but also many other things, whose well-drawn characters I have found enjoyable, but was not on here, was the late Wes Boyd (spearfishlaketales.com). See The Girl in the Mirror and Joe/Joan.