LGBTSR
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LGBTSr Now Has Text To Speech (TTS)
Great news for readers and listeners alike. lgbtsr.online/ now offers TTS (Text-to-Speech), a feature that provides an audio version of every article, column and blog post. Whether you’re visually challenged, or simply giving your eyes a break, you can now listen to the articles we offer every week. It’s all part of our ongoing mission to make content more accessible, inclusive, and enjoyable for everyone.
For older adults and just passersby who prefer listening over reading, or anyone with visual challenges or busy hands, this feature is for you. Service has been at the heart of my mission with this for 15 years, and it’s going to keep growing this year. Stay tuned, and fasten your headphones.
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From the Book Bin: Chuck Wendig’s Stairway to Horror
By Mark McNeaseI’ve been a fan of Chuck Wendig’s ever since I read his fantastic Black River Orchard. He writes what I call literary horror, something I aspire to myself. He also lives not far from here, but I don’t know where. I just recognize Bucks County, PA, and the towns he uses in his stories – some real and some fictional. I also really like his blog Terrible Minds, where he reviews apples, talks about writing, and offers his sometimes bleak critiques of a world spiraling into madness. I’m currently reading his latest book, The Staircase in the Woods (April, 2025). It’s another knockout, and this week’s choice from the Book Bin.
But first, About Chuck Wendig in his own words
Wait, Who The Hell Is This Guy?
Chuck Wendig is the New York Times bestselling author of Wanderers, The Book of Accidents, Wayward, Black River Orchard, and more than two dozen other books for adults and young adults. A finalist for the Astounding Award and an alumnus of the Sundance Screenwriters Lab, he has also written for comics, games, film, and television. He’s known for his popular blog, terribleminds, and books about writing such as Damn Fine Story. He lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with his family.
Terribleminds is his blog. Here he rambles on about writing, parenthood, food, pop culture, and other such shenanigans. It is NSFW and NSFL.
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The Twist Podcast 316: ICE Cold Killers, January Fun Facts, and an Interview with Steve Wylie
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose for our take on murder in Minneapolis, where ICE is as cold as a Minnesota cemetery in a snuff film. We follow it with some January fun facts, Twist Podcast survey results, and an interview with show fan and Kentucky resident Steve Wylie.
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This Week’s Survey: What’s Your Favorite Thing to Do on a Rainy Day?
What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
- Curl up with a book
- Take a walk in the rain
- Watch TV or a movie
- Cook or bake
- I don’t like rainy days
- Other (name in the comments)
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Fun Facts: Some Surprising National Days in January
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Jan 8 – National Bubble Bath Day 🛁
Self-care, but make it bubbly -
Jan 11 – National Milk Day 🥛
Surprisingly wholesome -
Jan 14 – National Dress Up Your Pet Day 🐕👑
The internet’s true holiday - Jan 20 – National Cheese Lover’s Day 🧀
A lifestyle, really -
Jan 21 – National Hugging Day 🤗
Consent-based hugs encouraged -
Jan 23 – National Pie Day 🥧
Sweet or savory, no judgment -
Jan 24 – National Compliment Day 💬
Free and underrated -
Jan 31 – National Backward Day ⏪
Wear your shirt inside out. Why not?
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Health Beat: Aging Without Apology
By Mark McNease
New year, same old ageism. We’re surrounded by messages telling us that getting older is something to fight, hide, or delay. At the very least, we’re told to ‘age gracefully,’ because it’s required of us if we’re to be seen in public. We must be demure, soft-spoken, quiet. Loud, outspoken and old just won’t do.
Not here, and not by me. Aging is not a personal failure. It’s not something we did wrong. It’s a sign we’re still here, whether anyone wants to acknowledge us or not.
Health in later life isn’t about chasing youth or punishing your body into compliance. It’s about function, comfort, connection, and quality of life. It’s about knowing your body well enough to listen to it, and trusting ourselves to respond with care rather than criticism.
This column – this year – will be focused on our everyday realities: energy that comes and goes, sleep that changes, bodies that behave differently than they used to. We’ll talk honestly about what’s normal, what’s worth paying attention to, and what simply comes with time.
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Blank Page to Bookshelf: From First Sentence to First Sale: Fiction Writing, Character Creation, and Self-Publishing Basics Now Available
Two years of workshops, one solid book
This has been a goal of mine for the last six months, and it’s out for 2026. You can get the ebook on Amazon ($8.95), various other online retaliers, or directly from me for a $2 discount ($6.96 – epub and PDF).
The paperback edition is available on Amazon, coming on IngramSpark, and will be available to bookstores and retailers everywhere.
About ‘Blank Page to Bookshelf’
Blank Page to Book Shelf: From First Sentence to First Sale: Fiction Writing, Character Creation, and Self-Publishing Basics brings together the core lessons from author and workshop instructor Mark McNease’s writing workshops, distilled into a single, accessible volume for aspiring and emerging writers.
Guiding readers from initial idea through character creation, plotting, revision, and self-publishing, the book emphasizes practical steps and realistic expectations. It demystifies both the creative process and the mechanics of self-publishing, helping writers move from concept to completed book.
Suitable for individual writers, writing groups, and creative workshops, this how-to guide blends craft instruction with actionable publishing guidance.
A clear, encouraging roadmap for turning a blank page into a finished book.
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LGBTSr Is Back on Facebook!
LGBTSr returns to Facebook! This page is a supplement to LGBTSR. com, “where age is embraced and life is celebrated.” We’ve come back from a long hiatus to share all the great things at the website that has been serving the community for 15 years. The Daily Readlines (rhymes with headlines) news roundup, columns, advice, tech talk, health beat, podcasts and more. We hope you like us as much as we like you. Give us a like and a follow sometime. – Mark McNease / LGBTSr
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Cold Nights, Dark Secrets: LGBTQ+ Mysteries & Thrillers Giveaway January 1 – 15
Start the year with new thrills in this BookFunnel giveaway featuring mystery maestros Marshall Thornton, Garrett Hutson, Victor Dain, Delilah Knight and more. This giveaway runs from January 1 – 15 only, so surf over and download these chillers packed with secrets, suspense, and bold voices you’ll want to hear again and again.
