Presenting And Seek (Not) to Alter Me: Queer Fanworks Inspired by William Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing”
Duck Prints Press has launched our second Kickstarter, running now through April 14th, 2022 – And Seek (Not) to Alter Me, a gorgeous collection featuring the work of 16 authors and 16 artists in a full-color, A4 size soft cover size-style book!
Today, we’re highlighting 2 more of our authors…
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Author Spotlight: R. L. Houck
Biography: R. L. Houck (she/her) still has one of the first stories she ever wrote, all the way back from elementary school. It was about flightless penguins reaching the sun and was a good indication of her boundless imagination and her love of animals. The latter became a full-time veterinary career; the former keeps her occupied with fanfiction and original fiction in her downtime.
She’s sometimes found wandering the woods around her house in Virginia with her two dogs. If not there, she’s sitting on the couch, catching up on a Netflix series, and smothered by her six cats. Sometimes, there’s even space for her wife.
Story Title: Much Ruckus
Tags: angst with a happy ending, established relationship, found family, friendship, science fiction
Teaser:
“Do you think B loves him in return?” Claudia looked down to see one mischievous brown eye sleepily peeking back up at her.
“The lady doth protest too much, methinks. So, now we just have to get them to realize how they feel about each other. Shouldn’t be hard.”
Claudia rather thought it would be hard, knowing B and Ben. But, Hera was pretty stubborn as well.
“Nap first, though?” Claudia suspected Hera was three quarters asleep and wouldn’t be good for any other planning.
“Mmm. Nap first,” Hera agreed. “Then we need to figure out”—she yawned again—“what to do about Jon.”
“Don’t forget the robbery. It’s the whole reason we’re all here.”
Hera’s answer was a tiny kitten snore. Claudia smiled helplessly at the top of her mate’s head. There was a lot to do, but for now, it could wait.
Nap first, after all.
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Author Spotlight: K. B. Vimes
Biography: K. B. Vimes lives in West Virginia with his fiance and their six cats, four frogs, three lizards, and a number of fish. In his spare time he makes paper craft, takes long walks with his fiance, and visits state parks. He’s been writing since he was old enough to hold a pencil, and for years has told stories to anyone willing to hold still long enough to listen.
Story Title: ASS[U]ME: A Queer Love Story
Tags: characters in drag, period-typical homophobia, period-typical understandings of gender and sexuality, setting: 2000 – 2010
Teaser:
Bustychick Arnold always started her act with a song, and this time was no different. A song of heartbreak and sadness, tonight, to match her mood. Her best friend Claude had joined the rest of the guys in the unit on the base laughing about “men in dresses,” and while she’d done her best to join in, Bustychick couldn’t help but be heartbroken by it.
Her large wig had hair piled high on her head, far bigger than could be managed without some serious hairspray or extremely curly hair. It was bright pink, with a faux military cap pinned jauntily on top. Her hair didn’t move as she swung her hips in time to the music, not made for the kind of subtlety other drag queens went for in their outfits. It reminded her sometimes of the helmets she wore in military life. Her outfit now, ironically, was just as much a form of armor as that was.
A pink camouflage mini-dress, the skirt flared out at her waist with layers and layers of petticoats and tulle. Her padded bra gave her an ample bosom, though the fact that she was not particularly gifted in that department naturally meant that her neckline was best suited high to hide the space where the bra ended. Today it was a mock turtleneck halter-top.
Her makeup was on point, contoured to hide her square jawline and sharp nose, with big eyes and high, painted-on eyebrows over her waxed-down real ones. Bright pink lipstick completed the look.
When the song ended she breathed hard, smiling at her audience as they clapped and cheered.
“Now, now. I have some things to say before we end this!” she finally interrupted, and the crowd quieted.
“How do you all like living in this town with its military base?” Bustychick asked, to the sound of loud boos. “I thought so! We all know how well the military treats us! Why, even just a hint of queerness can end a good man’s career, as if we were all traitors to the cause!”
The jeering got louder, and someone in the back shouted, “Preach it, sister!”
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell might keep us in the military sometimes, but only under a cloak of shame! DADT was needed years ago, but now? Now it holds us back! A queer man deserves to be able to share his benefits with his male partner just like a straight man can!”
The crowd was fully riled up now, calls of “Amen!” sounding from all around.
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