Laurie Boris

Hi. I want to tell you a story. In 2013, I published Don’t Tell Anyone, a novel about a family in distress. One of the supporting characters is the matriarch’s younger son, Charlie, a TV producer who falls for a married man with two children.

My friend, fellow writer, and all-around amazing person Leland Dirks read the book and fell for Charlie. Then he offered me a challenge: Write the story of Charlie and his secret love. Partly because he wanted to read it, and partly because Leland was awfully good at getting people out of their comfort zones.

So… because I like challenges, and adored Leland, I began writing. And because I haven’t always approached my publishing career conventionally, the challenge resulted in a prequel novella, The Picture of Cool, about how the two men met, and a full-length novel that takes place after the events of Don’t Tell Anyone and picks up on the continuing story of Charlie’s romance. And of course, Leland was the first to say yes when I asked for beta readers. He offered some great feedback, and did it again for my next book, and my next, and my next…

Anyway.

The world lost Leland earlier this year. While his worldwide network of friends recounted what he had meant to their lives, I wasn’t surprised to discover how many among us—writers, dog-lovers, readers, and pretty much everyone—had been grateful recipients of his support, kindness and generosity.

So, when an opportunity popped up for me to publish some of my work in audio form, I thought immediately of Leland, and put The Picture of Cool at the top of the list. It’s now live, on Amazon (Audible) and iTunes. I hope you might check it out.

For those of you who have been asking, Boychik will be next. Leland loved that novel, too.

Thanks for your time, and thank you for reading. I should be back to posting flash fiction soon.

Namaste.