Category: Duck Prints Press Events

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Pre-Orders for Hockey Bois Open TOMORROW!

A graphic for advertising a book. The background shows an icy water surface, like a rink, in a gradient from deep blue to nearly white. The ice is cut up as if people have been skating on it, and it reflects light. A book cover is centered over the background graphic. The title of the book is "Hockey Bois: A Beer League Romance" and the author is "A. L. Heard." The image on the book cover shows two men from the back. They are in a loose embrace, one with an arm over the other's shoulder, the other with his arm around the first's waist. They're wearing hockey helmets and jerseys that read "Jensen 68" and "Porter 12," and there are hearts in red, white, and blue floating around them. Text above the book cover reads "Hockey Bois: A Beer League Romance by A. L. Heard." The book cover is surrounded by arrows that point to text. This text reads: "hockey players are sexy af" "meddling friends and family" "emotionally constipated idiots to lovers" "m/m" "grumpy x sunshine" "mutual pining" "slooooow burn" At the bottom of the graphic, text reads "Pre-orders open TOMORROW, December 1st"

Nick Porter has always loved hockey. Ever since he can remember, it’s been his favorite thing in the world. It’s too bad he never learned to play, he’d tell himself, but it was too late to do it now. Adults don’t just magically learn to skate and join a hockey team. That’d be ridiculous.

Except maybe they do? On a whim, he decides to sign-up for an adult beginner’s class. He learns to skate, joins a team, and meets a really hot teammate… and it’s pretty much a disaster from there on out.

Pre-orders for the all-new, revised edition of A. L. Heard’s novel Hockey Bois open tomorrow! We’re also, for the first time ever for this book AND for Duck Prints Press, offering a hard cover edition. Wondering what else we’ll have and how things are priced? The campaign page is now live, so you can preview all the awesome we’ve got for you and get even more excited about this fantastic opportunity to get a great m/m book!

Too excited to wait ’til tomorrow? We gotchu! Join us on Discord TONIGHT, November 30th, at 8 p.m. Eastern time for a pre-launch ask me anything session with author A. L. Heard! Bring a beer, your love of hockey, and of course your plot- or writing-related questions to ask this accomplished, prolific writer!

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DPP Contributor Interview: A. L. Heard

A photograph of an open hard-cover book resting on a white surface. It's sunny and bright. A blurred-out background suggests the outdoors. Text over the image reads "Author interview! Meet A. L. Heard." The Duck Prints Press logo is at the bottom middle of the image.

A. L. Heard is one of the founding members of Duck Prints Press and has been a part of our planning team since before our official inception, offering her advice and expertise to the Press since mid-2019, and she’s been an editor on our anthologies Add Magic to Taste, And Seek (Not) to Alter Me, He Bears the Cape of Stars, She Wears the Midnight Crown, and Aim For The Heart. She’s also a prolific author of stories of all lengths and in all genres, and one of the most active authors involved with the Press.

Pre-orders of the revised edition of A. L. Heard’s debut novel Hockey Bois open on December 1st, 2023!

Want to meet A. L. Heard and ask her YOUR questions? YOU CAN! Join us TOMORROW, Thursday, November 30th, at 8 p.m. Eastern time (converter) on our Book Lover’s Discord server for a very special Ask Me Anything session with the author of Hockey Bois!

A photograph of a slim white woman, shown from the shoulders up, with a forest in the background. She is casually dressed, her hair up, and large aviator-style sunglasses cover her eyes. This is an author portrait of A. L. Heard.

Author Biography: Ashley, pen name A. L. Heard, fandom name jhoom, is a 35-year-old teacher, writer, and mother of two little boys. She’s been writing fanworks since she discovered fanfiction.net back in her middle school days; the platform has changed and the writing’s improved, but Ashley ultimately still spends her free time writing about characters she adores in worlds she’d like to explore. Her first novel, Hockey Bois, was published in 2021. In between writing projects, she works as a language teacher in the Pittsburgh area, plays hockey, and plays trains with her sons.

Links: Bluesky | Instagram

How did you pick the name you create under?

It’s a combination of my [real life] name and family names, making it unique but also still connected to me.

When and why did you begin creating?

I started writing fic during middle school and went through phases where I’d write fic and original work and then long periods with no writing. I’m happy to be settled into writing on a regular basis 🙂

What’s your favorite part of the creation process?

The brainstorming and playing around with a new story and characters, where everything is still possible and I haven’t had to commit to any particular plot point.

Describe your ideal creation space.

An office that’s well lit with an endless supply of tea or coffee or snacks, with no distractions or extra noises except birds. Either that or a brewery or cafe with background noise.

What are your favorite snacks and/or drinks to consume while creating?

Tea, coffee, and baked goods (cookies, scones, that sort of thing)

What’s one thing (style, genre, etc.) that you think you’ll never do, and why not?

Epic fantasy – they’re awesome stories but I don’t have the creativity/brain for a large scale world and magic system like that.

Short Stories A. L. has published with Duck Prints Press:

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Shop Duck Prints Press This Weekend and Save!

A text graphic over a watercolor-esque background of light rainbow shades. The text reads: This Saturday, November 25th, celebrate Small Business Saturday. Below this text is the American Express 'Shop Small' logo, then the word at, then the Duck Prints Press Logo that reads Duck Prints Press, is edged on the left and bottom by duck prints in rainbow shades, has the Press duck mascot Dux standing on the right, and includes the Press slogan 'We Print Diversity' at the bottom. Additional text below this reads: Use code ? to save 25% off your order placed this weekend!

This Saturday, November 25th, is Small Business Saturday! Duck Prints Press is offering our best coupon of the year – 25% off, no other purchase necessary! Looking to shop small this holiday season? Check out Duck Prints Press, the fan-created independent small press that publishes the (usually extremely queer) original work of fanauthors and fanartists. We’ve got great gifts for the queer book lover in your life, including anthologies, short stories, merchandise, and more. And, of course, we’ve got lots of adorable merch featuring our adorable Dux mascot, too!

This coupon was created for our newsletter subscribers… but there are a couple sneaky ways to get it even if you’re not a subscriber. Want to grab this discount for yourself but didn’t get to subscribe to our newsletter in time? Well, don’t despair – there’s still two ways you can get in on the savings!

You can…

…back us on Patreon, and get access to this coupon and additional coupons you can use all year round!

…join our Book Lover’s Discord Server, and get this coupon, a lovely place to chat with fans who love books, and access to Discord-exclusive events like Ask Me Anything sessions!

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Small Business Saturday SALE on duckprintspress.com!

A text graphic over a watercolor-esque background of light rainbow shades. The text reads: This Saturday, November 25th, celebrate Small Business Saturday. Below this text is the American Express 'Shop Small' logo, then the word at, then the Duck Prints Press Logo that reads Duck Prints Press, is edged on the left and bottom by duck prints in rainbow shades, has the Press duck mascot Dux standing on the right, and includes the Press slogan 'We Print Diversity' at the bottom. Additional text below this reads: Newsletter Subscribers will receive a Coupon for 25% off their entire purchase made on November 25th!

This Saturday, November 25th, is Small Business Saturday! Looking to shop small this holiday season? Check out Duck Prints Press, the fan-created independent small press that publishes the (usually extremely queer) original work of fanauthors and fanartists. We’ve got great gifts for the queer book lover in your life, including anthologies, short stories, merchandise, and more. And, of course, we’ve got lots of adorable merch featuring our adorable Dux mascot, too!

What have we got? Well, what are you looking for?? We have…

A graphic over a background of rainbow colors in watercolor splotches. Text at the top reads: Now available at duckprintspress.com/shop. Below this is an array if items with accompany labels: "art prints" with two examples, "Print books" with DPP anthologies "He Bears the Cape of Stars," "She Wears the Midnight Crown," and "And Seek (Not) to Alter Me," "Shirts" with three examples, two of which are t-shirts and one of which is a hoodie, "Stickers and Magnets" with a citrus slice with rainbow segments and a Dux with a mustache, devil horns, devil tail, and trident, and "Enamel Pins" with an owl, raccoon, crow, fox, moose, and wolf pin, and also a woman in a crown and a man in a cape. At the bottom of the graphic, text reads "...and MORE!"

BEST YET?

All newsletter subscribers will receive a coupon good for 25% off their ENTIRE PURCHASE made this weekend! So if you’re not a subscriber yet, there’s no time like the present!

And while you’re at it, make sure you follow us on the social media platform(s) of your choice! Also, come read with us on our Book Lover’s Discord Server. Want to support indie queer publishing all year round? Back us on Patreon and get awesome rewards!

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A Big Gay Market Event Report!

A photograph of a table set up under a pop-up tent. A banner hangs behind the table and reads "Duck Prints Press. We Print Diversity. www.duckprintspress.com" and it has pictures of a brown duck and a white duck. In the foreground is a table laden with merchandise and books. Visible items include enamel pins of animals, stickers of ducks, paw prints, and a lemon, mugs with ducks, a teacup, a book entitled "Commit to the Kick," and two baskets. Two people sit behind the table, one mostly hidden, the other smiling at the camera.

Yesterday, Duck Prints Press owner Claire, author Catherine, and Claire’s mom attended A Big Gay Market in Washington Park in Albany! The weather was honestly dismal, and the event organizers ultimately ended the market after only one of the scheduled 4 hours. We stuck it out as long as we could and stayed for about half the planned time, and I’m glad we did! The few shoppers who came by were lovely, and we had a really good day. Honestly, despite the cold and wet, we have no complaints, and we’re already looking forward to the next time A Big Gay Market will be held, in April of 2024. (Though hopefully they’ll find an indoor venue next time!)

A few shout-outs to people we met!

Fashion A-Fare Boutique: they had some awesome, fun merch – I especially loved the Barbie movie inspired earrings and the d6 earrings (I want to get a pair for my wife!).

Art.with.a.Waddle: super cute art and penguins. How can one possibly go wrong??? Bonus, the owner Zoë was dressed up as Tony Tony Chopper (vendors were encouraged to wear Halloween costumes).

Adirondack Crystalry and The Artful Woods: these two cool folks were sharing a cozy-looking booth! I especially noticed the Crystalry’s cool wands and the wood-cut earring rainbows with dangling crystals at The Artful Woods.

Fawnduu: she had me at “lesbian cowboys.”

Bonus, I ran into Calivarn from Eclectic Arts again! At Fandom Fest, they were across the path and just to the right of my booth…and yesterday…they were across the path and just to the right of my booth! It’s nice to go to local events and start meeting the same people multiple times. <3 I’d hoped to run into the lovely folks from Pastel Prince, too, but the weather was so bad that I didn’t get to explore the whole market before it closed, so I only got to pass by maybe a quarter of the vendors.

My only purchase for the day was these two cuties:

A photograph of two crocheted dolls. One is a caterpillar with segments in pastel blue, white, and pastel pink, in the distinct shades of the trans pride flag. The other is a bee.

I picked out the bee for my son, and the trans-flag caterpillar for my daughter. Unfortunately, I foolishly didn’t catch the name of the creators! I’m so frustrated with myself, it means I can’t shout about how lovely they were (and one of them was dressed as a mushroom and it was a.dor.a.ble). So, if you are or know the creators of these precious stuffies that my kids love, please tell me so I can sing their praises by name!!! (They might have been Honey Strands Crochet? I’m looking through the vendor list and trying to figure it out.)

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came out, and whether you came or not, we hope to see you at A Big Gay Market next time!

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Upcoming Event: A Big Gay Market

This coming Sunday, October 29th, Duck Prints Press will be vending at A Big Gay Market in Albany, New York. This outdoor, open-air market is in Washington Park right downtown, runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and features over 100 vendors. Vendor registration fees benefit Unirondack Queer Youth Advocacy Retreat.

About the Market: A Big Gay Market is a designated safe and affirmative space for LGBTQI+ individuals, especially for those in our community that have intersecting marginalized identities, to join together in queer and trans joy for a cause. This market aims to benefit Camp Unirondack’s Queer Youth Advocacy Retreat.

About Camp Unirondack: Founded in 1951 by the Universalists, Unirondack is a radically inclusive Camp and Conference Center located on Niiohehsà:ne (Beaver Lake) in the forever wild forests of the Western Adirondack Mountains on Haudenosaunee Land. Unirondack is a community that is shaped and re-shaped each summer by its staff members, campers, and volunteers. We offer some things in common with other summer camps: a beautiful lakeside setting, a wide range of daily activities, family-style meals, and the chance to spend time away in the woods. But what truly makes us unique is the energy, caring and creativity of the people who call Unirondack home.

About Us: Duck Prints Press LLC is an independent publisher based in New York State. Our founding vision is to work with fancreators to publish their original work. We are particularly dedicated to working with queer authors and artists to publish stories featuring characters from across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum.

We’re really excited to be part of an event that so closely aligns with our goals and interests as a Press, and we hope we’ll be able to see some of you there!

In addition to the donation of the vending fee paid, Duck Prints Press will be donating 10% of our net proceeds from sales at the Market to Camp Unirondack. For those unable to attend in person, we encourage you to shop in our store on October 29th, 2023. All purchases made that day, we’ll donate 10% of the net proceeds to Unirondack, just as we would if you bought from us in person at the market.

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Meet Author Alec J. Marsh!

Today, October 15, Duck Prints Press is hosting our first-ever ASK ME ANYTHING session, with author Alec J. Marsh!

Join us on our Reader’s Discord at 3 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. GMT, and bring your questions, your curiosity, your thoughts, and – most importantly – your awesome self!

(Time converter)

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Get to Know: Alec J. Marsh

Alec J. Marsh, author of the holiday novella To Drive the Hundred Miles (pre-orders open now!) lives in the Pacific Northwest, where they write romantic adult fantasy and self-indulgent fanfiction. They make candles inspired by their favorite characters.

You can get to know him better by checking him out his preferred social media platforms:

Or you can get to know him by checking out his other Duck Prints Press publications:

OR, best of all, you can get to know Alec by joining us for our first-ever Ask Me Anything session on our Discord Server! Join us on Discord, and attend this awesome Q&A session this Sunday, October 15th, at 3 PM Eastern Time!

(And don’t forget to pre-order To Drive the Hundred Miles!)