Author: Rhys Ford

Rhys Ford is an award-winning author with several long-running LGBT+ mystery, thriller, paranormal, and urban fantasy series, including Murder and Mayhem, a 2016 LAMBDA finalist. She is published by Dreamspinner Press and DSP Publications.

TJ and Eric Update

On By Rhys FordIn Heh14 Comments

Tj Klune updated his status: “Slept okay last night. Kept having dreams Eric and I were in an earthquake and survived and then there were wizards and something or some such. One more night of sleep and I go back tomorrow.

I feel better too, knowing that Abi and an Anon Crack Crew member are down there guarding him like they do so well. That being said, a neuro came in today and felt the need to go over the worst case scenario with Eric again (vent forever, not able to move arms and legs ever again). This of course freaked out Eric. I calmly told him when they called me that all we’ve heard is the “worst case scenario” this whole time and he’s alive with his brain intact and that wasn’t even supposed to happen, so fuck that guy, and fuck everyone who doesn’t believe.

But while I was reassuring him, thoughts kept playing over and over in my head. What IF he doesn’t get better? What IF he is paralyzed from the neck down and on a vent for the rest of his life, however long that would be? What IF, what IF, what IF?

I answered myself quite clearly: it won’t matter to me. I will take him anyway that I can get him. It doesn’t matter if he’ll come with a cane or with wheels and attached to a ventilator, every day we have is a day that I will love him just a little bit more.

Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go.”

In Rhys Ford Audiobook News and a GIVEAWAY!

On By Rhys FordIn Free Stuff77 Comments

So…. Just got word Whiskey and Wry’s audiobook will be available soon. Everyone ready for Damie and Sionn?

In celebration of Whiskey and Wry’s impending release, I am offering a free audiobook for either Sinner’s Gin or Whiskey and Wry!

All you have to do to enter is comment below with your favourite Sinners series moment. Winner will be selected MONDAY January 20th at 8 am!

TJ and Eric Update

On By Rhys FordIn Good News14 Comments
Status UpdateBy Tj Klune
I received a phone call at 1230 last night. It was the hospital Eric was at, saying they couldn’t get his breathing under control and they were transferring him to a bigger hospital.

I drove down to Richmond right then. I arrived at the new hospital and found Eric to be absolutely terrified, unsure about what any was going on. Not only that, his breathing was where it normally was.

We were in the ER for 15 hours today, from about 130 in the morning until about four. What we learned? Nothing. Eric’s respiratory hospital transferred him prematurely and without good reason.

To say I was infuriated was an understatement. Luckily for me, a Rep from Eric’s respiratory hosp was at the ER talking to the nurses. He listened to me with great concern, promising he’d tell the head of nursing and the director of the hospital my concerns. This place has not put Eric first. If there is one thing you should not do, it’s fuck with Eric when I still have a breath in my body.

I met with the Director and head of nursing this afternoon. They were horrified at everything I discussed that has happened in this hospital so far. They promised huge and significant changes. If there is no improvement within the next few days, I am moving Eric elsewhere. We don’t have time for their bullshit. We have a fucking wedding to plan.

Now, I’m going to go sleep forever.

Even BETTER News: TJ and Eric

On By Rhys FordIn Good News8 Comments

Tj Klune updated his status: “I’m at home again for a few days. I’m working Mon, Tues, and Wed now, spending the rest of the week in Richmond. I try to use this time to sleep as much as possible, but it can be hard at times.

After I posted the picture yesterday, Eric woke up and was more alert and awake than he’s ever been. If it wasn’t for the fact of the traech tube in his throat and him having to mouth his words, it would have been almost normal. We got to talk, and actually have a clear and concise conversation. He knows the work ahead, and that it’s not going to be easy. We set goals for him. He wants to be out of the respiratory hospital by February first. He wants to be out of the rehab hospital by March 7th. Realistic? Maybe. Maybe not. I don’t know what’s going to happen. But after we set those dates, he looked at me and said “I can do it.”

I said, “I know you can.”

Then he said, “I need you to have faith in me.”

I told him I do. Completely. “Because of November 8th.”

That’s the other date we’re working toward. That’s the day we’re getting married.

So, we have a plan. Now we just have to do it.

Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go.”

So You Write Like A Girl…

On By Rhys FordIn Opinion49 Comments

The funny thing about being an author in the M/M romance arena you read the oddest things in the genre’s reviews. One of them is: I can tell this was written by a woman…

woolfNow I’ll have to admit, I’ve always found this offensive and for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why. Mostly because I didn’t toss a lot of brain at it but upon reflection and a bit of discussion with other people, I think I’ve narrowed down why it’s offensive.

It’s kind of like the schoolyard taunt of “You throw like a girl.”

See, it’s a double edged sword. One, that being female means you have less ability and two, that you should thus be ashamed of being female because you are so much less.

Now, I’ve never considered myself an activist but apparently there’s a piece of me that is rather offended by the whole “I should be ashamed I have a vagina” thing. Well, that and apparently it does my writing. I’m not even sure how that works and to be honest, if it’s doing the writing, perhaps it can continue to do so in the middle of the night without my help because really, does it need to sleep?

Rather absurd image, isn’t it?

I’m not sure why this phrase is supposed to be offensive and more importantly, what defines “writing like a woman”?

WildeI could spend time condemning people who say this. I could but honestly, I’m not sure I care that much. Do I write like a woman? I write as a woman but I write as a writer. Not with my gender but with my experiences and my brain. I am not less because of my gender. I am not less of a writer because I write in a style someone might or might not care for. I will not be made to feel ashamed because I don’t have exterior genitalia any more than I would ask someone to be ashamed because he doesn’t have interior bits.

Connecting my writing ability to a dick or vagina won’t change how I write or what I write because the person I am is who does the writing.

So yeah, I write like a girl.

And I’m going to own that shit because that single fact doesn’t define me—any more than my sexual orientation, cultural identity or my love of coffee.

Okay, the coffee probably defines me but hey, I’ll own that shit too.