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Late Bloomer Baby Boomer: A Collection of Humorous Essays About Being Gay Back in the Day and Finally Finding My Way
This book is a wild, hilarious, deeply personal ride through the life of Steve Milliken—a gay man navigating everything from awkward high school moments to dating disasters in the digital age. Told through a series of essays, it captures a lifetime of mishaps, misunderstandings, and moments of clarity. It’s part coming-of-age memoir, part comedic stand-up routine, with a little social commentary sprinkled in for good measure. Milliken reflects on growing up queer, teaching in tough school environments, dealing with Grindr misadventures, and just trying to survive the everyday weirdness of life.
Steve Milliken is funny. Like, really funny. Not in that overly polished, trying-too-hard kind of way. He’s more like that friend who always tells the best stories at brunch and makes you spit out your mimosa. For example, in the chapter “Plenty of Fish, but Still a Fish Out of Water,” he dives into the absurd world of online dating and it’s painfully relatable. His description of being a middle-aged man on apps meant for twenty-somethings had me actually laughing out loud. He doesn’t hold back, but it never feels mean or bitter—it’s just honest in that “oh God, I’ve been there” kind of way.
But it’s not all laughs. Milliken slips in some emotional moments too, like in “A Father’s Love” or “Changing Closets,” where he explores the heavy stuff—family, acceptance, the fear of being vulnerable, the late-bloomer shame. It’s raw and beautiful and made me tear up more than once. I think what I loved most is how he swings between funny and heartfelt without warning, like you’ll be chuckling at a joke about Ambien-induced chaos one second, and the next you’re hit with a truth about aging, loneliness, or identity that just… lands. Hard.
Honestly, I think Late Bloomer Baby Boomer is perfect for anyone who’s ever felt like they missed the boat on figuring life out “on time.” Queer folks, obviously, will see themselves in a lot of these pages, but really, anyone who’s navigated awkwardness, insecurity, or change will find something here. If you like David Sedaris or Augusten Burroughs but wish they talked more about disco, bad hookups, and classroom chaos, this one’s for you. I finished it feeling like I’d spent a few hours with an old friend who wasn’t afraid to get messy and vulnerable—and I loved every minute of it.
Pages: 228 | ASIN : B0BQ6HC4P2
Humor in a Very Difficult Situation
Laughing in the Face of COVID offers a refreshing and humorous take on the chaos of the 2020 pandemic, turning the bleakness of quarantine into an opportunity for sharp-witted commentary. What inspired the compiling of all these writings into one book?
This entire project started as a way to help maintain my sanity and keep in touch with friends during the time I was diagnosed with COVID and required to isolate myself. If you remember, back in those early days of 2020, COVID was a frightening diagnosis and nobody knew just how dangerous it might be.
So, I began with a single joke entry into an imaginary diary, thinking I might be quarantined for just a few days. It turned out to be SEVEN WEEKS before I was symptom-free, but my FB followers and friends were hooked on the diary idea, so I had to keep going!
It was never my intention to create content for a book; the diary was a one-off idea that had run its course. But I came across some of the entries a few months ago and shared them with friends and family. They all responded positively with memories of reading the entries back in 2020, and several suggested compiling all seven weeks’ worth into a book.
The rest, as they say, is fiction!
What is one thing that people point out after reading your book that surprises you?
My original intention was to find some humor in a very difficult situation, hoping to reassure my friends and family, and to provide myself with a creative outlet to pass the time.
What has surprised me is the number of people who have found the book cathartic. There have been many books about COVID, but they tend to focus on the history, science, and politics of the pandemic, not the individual experiences.
In reliving some of the craziness, and reflecting on just how much we stressed over every nugget of information, people are using the humor/satire of the book to put things in perspective. It seems that, for many people, it’s the first time they have really thought back to those days, and certainly the first time they have been able to laugh about them.
I found this novel to be a cutting piece of satire. What is one thing that you hope readers take away from your collection of writing?
I hope that people will never forget the urgency, fear, and paranoia of those early days, but I hope my book also reminds people how easy it is to panic and buy into rumours or conspiracy theories. Most of us did give in to fear at some level, but I hope we’ve learned to forgive ourselves for being human. Looking back and laughing about those dark days is a way of letting go of the lingering stress.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
As a veteran ghostwriter, I’ve had my writing in many books without my name on the cover. This is the first book that I have actually taken credit for, but it won’t be the last!
I’m semi-retired now and have the time to pursue my own writing ideas. I’ve been working for a long time on a Young Adult novel that I hope to publish early in 2025 and have a file folder of ideas for more books, screenplays, short stories, etc.
I’ll be sure to let Literary Titan and its readers know when my next work hits the shelves!
I literally cannot thank the readers and reviewers of my book enough. The positive reception has been everything I hoped it would be. You have all stoked my ego, lol, and given me a strong impetus to get more of my work out there.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
- Shakespeare tributes (“Shall I compare thee to a summer cold?”)
- Song parodies (“Send In The Zombies” “Fridge Full of Bottled Water”)
- Quarantine games for couples (“Hide And Give Up”)
- Haikus, satirical conspiracy theories, a Dr. Seuss (“Donald the Trump”), COVID for children, and more
All from the (literally) fevered imagination of a writer/humorist trapped in a seven-week COVID quarantine during the height of the pandemic.
Glen Stone’s Facebook diary entries, described by readers as “hilarious” and “incredibly imaginative”, are collected in this book of black humour during a terrible time.
From a phone call with a bleach dealer to the secret negotiations between UN reps and the virus itself, Laughing In the Face of COVID will take you back to the madness of 2020 and leave you wondering how any of us stayed sane!
As one fan put it, “Nobody will ever believe that one person wrote all of this!”
WARNING: Contains lots of swears and nasty comments about Trump.
Laughing In the Face of COVID
Laughing in the Face of Covid by Glen Stone offers a refreshing and humorous take on the chaos of the 2020 pandemic, turning the bleakness of quarantine into an opportunity for sharp-witted commentary. While many of us struggled through lockdowns and hospital stays, Stone found a way to lighten the mood by documenting his experiences through a Facebook diary. This collection, born out of those feverish, Covid-induced posts, brings readers a mix of stories, commentary, and humorous observations that are bound to resonate, no matter how varied our pandemic experiences were.
Stone’s whimsical sarcasm leaps off the page, making even the darkest moments of the pandemic feel laughable. His strong opinions and biting humor make the book wildly entertaining, though some readers with differing views might find themselves a little ruffled. But as the saying goes, you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs, and Stone doesn’t shy away from cracking them. The stories span everything from Covid-themed pop-culture references to political jabs, lyrical poems, and even short fiction, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy. What makes Laughing in the Face of Covid stand out is its relatability. Instead of dwelling on the hardships, Stone masterfully flips the narrative, finding humor in the bizarre norms we adopted during the pandemic. His commentary allows readers to laugh at things that, at the time, felt overwhelming. Serious issues are transformed into moments of levity, and it’s all done with a light-hearted touch that makes the collection deeply enjoyable. Most of Stone’s stories are hilarious, with 90% of them delivering laugh-out-loud moments. However, some stories toward the end veer into unexpected territory—such as his Harry Potter Covid fan-fiction. This particular tale is a wild ride, blending disorganized chaos with a quirky “what if” scenario about Harry transferring to Oxford after a brawl. While it might not stay true to the original characters, it’s a curious and humorous alternate take that some readers may find entertaining, even if a bit off-the-rails.
No matter which story strikes your fancy, Stone’s collection has a way of changing your perspective on the pandemic. By focusing on the absurdities, his tales bring out the lighter side of those difficult months, reminding us that even in the darkest times, laughter is essential. Laughing in the Face of Covid is one of the best pandemic-inspired books I’ve come across—equal parts entertaining and cathartic.
Pages: 60 | ASIN : B0DCF3ZHDZ
Laugh-Out-Loud Absurd Humor
Dancer on the Ceiling is a collection of humorous short stories featuring offbeat characters who dwell within unique storylines. What inspired you to write this anthology?
I’ve loved laugh-out-loud absurd humor ever since I was a teenager and read Woody Allen’s prose in the New Yorker. I wanted to create stories in that spirit. Inspiration was also provided by S. J. Perelman, Lewis Carroll, Roald Dahl, Douglas Adams, The Goons, and Monty Python.
Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your collection?
Moths ate my cashmere sweater. Other than that, nothing was consciously drawn from my life. It’s likely the stories contain unconscious references from my life, but I’d rather not examine them too closely. I’m thinking specifically about the chimp story.
Do you have a favorite among the stories?
A character that stands out as the most fun to write for? I love Derek Organ, the private investigator. He’s in three stories.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’m writing a full-length novel, a comic caper story in the spirit of Donald Westlake’s Dortmunder stories. Look for it in 2024.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Dancer on the Ceiling: More Darkly Humorous Tales
Dive into a whirlwind of imaginative absurdity with Dancer on the Ceiling, the third collection of short stories by the gifted Mark Nutter. This anthology promises readers a captivating journey through tales sprinkled with the most unexpected characters—from clowns and chimps to mysterious dwellers beneath tables. Each narrative unravels unpredictably, making it a thrilling expedition from start to finish.
Nutter’s dynamic writing style, both peculiar and fluid, ensures an engaging experience. Each story, whether focusing on a quirky case of mistaken identity, tales of forgotten war heroes better left unremembered, or crime escapades in the old West, is presented with a dash of the unpredictable. No topic is off-limits in this vibrant collection!
With the exception of a few recurring characters, most tales stand alone, perfect for those fleeting moments when you need an entertaining escape. The seamless narrative flow, coupled with the inherent intrigue of what Nutter might craft next, also makes it tempting to devour the entire collection in one indulgent sitting. Beyond the words, each story paints a vivid mental picture, as delightful to imagine as they are depicted on the pages. Mastering the art of writing the absurd is no mean feat, but Nutter accomplishes it with finesse and flair in this collection.
Dancer on the Ceiling stands out as a uniquely refreshing literary piece in its unabashed embrace of the eccentric. The stories seem to be born from Nutter’s audacious challenge to himself to envision the most outlandish scenarios—and he undoubtedly succeeds. Unpredictable, perfectly paced, and wittily penned, this collection establishes Mark Nutter as an author worth exploring further. If you’re seeking a literary adventure that dances between whimsical and weird, look no further.
Pages: 188 | ASIN : B0CJ47VC49
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