The Gay Ass Book Club

Travis Warman, a Tucson-based pharmacist, husband, dad, and novelist, joins Jameel Mayers for a conversation about queer crime fiction, becoming a better writer, and figuring out who you’re actually writing for. Travis talks about his first novel, The Quiet Man, and why he now sees it as an important learning experience—one that helped him understand structure, feedback, and the difference between writing for yourself and writing with a reader in mind. That evolution eventually led to Serial Husbands, a queer crime thriller about married serial killers, morally gray choices, and queer characters who get to drive the story rather than simply exist around it. The conversation digs into Travis’s writing process, including massive outlines, five-act structure, voice notes, research, beta readers, and drafting the scenes he can’t stop thinking about first. He also explains how research into police procedure, the U.S. Marshals, and the FBI helped build the world of Serial Husbands. Travis shares how family history, religious shame, and queer identity influenced his earlier work, why his husband James remains his first reader and most honest editor, and how an unexpected $100 advertising experiment helped him find a community of readers waiting for the next book. And because this is Gay Ass Book Club, somehow Bluey, Severance, drag queens, crime podcasts, and Travis literally recording from inside a closet all make their way into the conversation. In This Episode How The Quiet Man became Travis’s crash course in writing a novel The “be gay, do crime” inspiration behind Serial Husbands Giving queer characters agency beyond romance, victimhood, and sidekick roles Building believable crime fiction through research Outlining with a five-act structure while leaving room for creative chaos Using voice notes and “blah” documents to capture ideas Learning from beta readers and criticism Finding an audience through social media and advertising Expanding Serial Husbands into a trilogy Having your husband serve as your first—and most honest—editor Building a home setup for audiobook narration and music Notable Quotes “Be gay, do crime.” “I wanted to give my characters the authority and autonomy to take matters into their own hands.” “Be you, be proud, be who you are, but be safe.” Find Travis on Instagram: @txwarman More Gay Ass Book Club, including monthly author spotlights, interviews, and queer books worth putting on your shelf: gayassbookclub.substack.com

Meet Angelica Martinez, our latest Gay Ass Book Club Author Spotlight. Angelica writes at the intersection of queer identity, culture, neurodivergence, horror, and folklore. In our conversation, we explore the personal experiences that shaped her Living La Vida Loba series, the evolution of quinceañera traditions, and how autism, ADHD, and bipolar disorder have influenced both her life and her creative process. We also take a detour into horror films, witchcraft, cultural heritage, and the stories we tell to make sense of ourselves and the world around us. Whether she's discussing Selena's impact, the psychology of fear, or the importance of representation, Angelica brings curiosity, honesty, and a deep love of storytelling to every topic. If you're a reader who enjoys queer voices, supernatural themes, Latinx culture, or stories that challenge assumptions, this is an interview worth your time. For the first month, the full video interview is available exclusively to paid subscribers on Substack. The audio version is available to everyone. Follow Angelica: Instagram: @authorangelicamartinez Linktree: https://linktr.ee/authorangelicamartinez Explore her books: Living La Vida Loba Living La Vida LLorona Living La Vida Bruja (coming soon!) Support queer authors the way you'd want to be supported on your own creative journey. Leave a comment, share the interview, subscribe, and help another Gay Ass author find their readers. 📚 Gay Ass Book Club | https://gayassbookclub.substack.com 📸 Instagram | @gayass_bookclub

Strap in because Tobias Madden, author of "Wrong Answers Only" and now "Quite the Pair," just took us on a wild ride from cruising the world to navigating the wild waters of social media. He spills all about the joys, struggles, and epiphanies of being a modern author in a swipe-right world. In this episode: How social media transformed Tobias from a cruise ship dancer to a published author The real deal about marketing, promotion, and whether you really need to do TikTok dances The crazy yet charming process of writing, planning, and embracing chaos in storytelling Ollie, the adorable Cavapoo, and his role as the world's best writing buddy The importance of finishing your book (yes, really) and how to go from spark to story Navigating the politics of LGBTQ books in the US and Australia The creative magic of ideas being sentient and channeling your muse Resources & Links: Tobias Madden's Website Connect with Tobias Madden: Instagram

Ever wonder what it takes to turn personal stories into a literary revolution? Drew Banks spills the tea on writing authentic queer characters, navigating the indie publishing world, and the power of storytelling to bridge communities. Get ready to laugh, learn, and maybe feel a little inspired! In this episode: Drew shares how his debut novel "Able Was I" challenged stereotypical gay narratives and expanded representation The evolution from physical bookstore tours to digital platforms like TikTok and Instagram The significance of personal connections, book clubs, and interviews in building an author platform The intriguing story behind the palindrome-inspired trilogy titles How traveling through Europe inspired themes of exile and reflection Navigating historical accuracy in historical fiction, including meticulous research and details like buttons and fashion The unconventional origin of Drew’s transition from business to writing and his motivation to break stereotypes The creative process: structured outlines versus organic character development The emotional impact of reader feedback and reactions The importance of authentically portraying women and diverse perspectives in storytelling How the queer community and storytelling intertwine in Drew’s projects like Father Netics Resources & Links: Drew Banks Official Website

Ever wondered how a singer-songwriter becomes a published novelist? Join us as Stephen Gellman explains how a festival encounter and a love of tea sparked his literary journey. Plus, insights into his upcoming trilogy "Somewhere and Nowhere" and the secret sauce of blending music with storytelling. In this episode: How accidental meetings can unleash your creative potential The story behind the intriguing title "Somewhere and Nowhere" Writing from personal mental health experiences The importance of diverse representations in YA fiction The unique blend of music and literature, including exclusive previews Practical advice for aspiring writers — just start! The role of loose planning and spontaneity in storytelling Behind the scenes of audiobook narration and vinyl recordings The significance of community centers and local events in promotion How a playful name like "Gay Ass Book Club" sparks curiosity and laughs Resources & Links: Hidden Poet — Stephen Gellman’s official site Michael Crouch — Award-winning audiobook narrator The Gay Ass Book Club — Join the fun and support queer authors Art of Tea — Favorite loose leaf tea provider Tea Source — Top spot for tea lovers Connect with Stephen Gellman: Instagram Newsletter Sign-up And stick around for Stephen’s musical book debut, an exclusive track from his upcoming trilogy, "Somewhere and Nowhere." Whether you’re a writer, a tea enthusiast, or a bookshelf dreamer, this episode’s got something brewed just for you.