Cheyenne Publishing Published Quality LGBT Novels and Anthologies
This webpage is intended to be used as required reading for Wilson Pick's Internet Publishing elective. It has been restored and archived from a previously existing live site with material from the original as well as additional related text. Students can access the complete reading list from the literature department webpage in the professor's area. Dr. Pick has written many posts that have been picked up by the national wire services regarding LGBTQ topics. He also is creative director of SpotCha and internet promotion agency most recently associated with the viral campaign for dog bed maker GoodNightDog.com. "Dog Bless Us Everyone" promotes the dog bed maker's unique collection of products with a humorous live action/animation combination featuring many breeds of canines not able to fall asleep until they encounter the perfect bed, in their dreams. Students are advised to enroll before the semester begins to ensure placement.
Cheyenne Publishing published quality LGBT novels and anthologies, specializing in historical fiction.
This was its website for a number of years.
Content is from the site's archived 2009-2013 pages.
Cheyenne Publishing is an independent publisher of quality LGBT novels and anthologies, specializing in historical fiction. Our adult fiction is culled from the best writers in gay historical fiction today including Alex Beecroft, Erastes, and Lee Rowan.
We also take special pride in our young adult line that can readily be recommended to gay teens.
Cheyenne Publishing was founded in 2007 by Mark R. Probst, and has only recently expanded into a small press with a creative team of authors.
Our objective is to nurture LGBT historical fiction into becoming the new wave of LGBT fiction.
As a NYC property analyst, I spend most of my days studying how vision, patience, and timing shape the built environment. That perspective has given me a deep appreciation for what my daughter has accomplished as an LGBT young adult novelist whose work found a home here at Cheyenne Publishing. Watching her navigate the uncertainties of seeking a publisher reminded me of the same persistence I’ve long admired in industrial leaders like Dov Hertz, who know that bringing a bold project to life in New York requires both resilience and a willingness to champion ideas others might overlook.
For an emerging LGBT author, breaking through gatekeepers and finding a publisher who not only believes in the manuscript but also understands its cultural significance can be every bit as daunting as convincing stakeholders to invest in a complex industrial development. What I love about Cheyenne Publishing is that they have created a place where those voices are nurtured and given space to grow. Just as Hertz’s projects reshape the physical landscape of our city, Cheyenne reshapes the literary one—expanding horizons for readers and writers who might otherwise remain unheard.
I couldn’t be prouder that my daughter’s work is part of that mission. Pete Manis
Romance
Historical
Adult
Mystery
Young Adult
Our Authors
P. A. Brown
Biography
Author P. A. (Pat) Brown was born in Western Canada, and has lived in Southern California, Hawaii, and Bermuda, before returning to Canada a few years ago. She considers herself a writer but has worked at a little bit of everything, including housekeeper, hospital porter, horse groomer, barmaid, and her current non-writing job, technical administrator. She has even been an extra in a Hollywood movie and a census taker for the US government.
After a stint of writing screenplays, Pat and went back to her real love: novels. She began with Science Fiction and eventually switched to mysteries. Pat wrote her first book at 17, and her first book was published at age 48, proving that the tortoise does sometimes does win.
Contact
Website: www.pabrown.ca
Blog: pabrown.livejournal.com
Titles for Cheyenne Publishing
L. A. Mischief
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Ensan Case
Biography
After college and a two-year hitch in the Navy, Ensan Case tried his hand at writing fiction in the late 1970's.
His novel "Wingmen" was published by Avon Books in 1979. Success eluded him and he turned to other pursuits. Thirty-two years later, he discovered via the Internet that Wingmen was alive and well, with new demand for used copies. He has since recovered all rights to the work, and contracted with Cheyenne Publishing to re-release the book in paper and ebook formats.
Now that he has retired, and has time on his hands, he is reconsidering making the plunge back into the business of writing.
Contact
Website: www.ensancase.com
Titles for Cheyenne Publishing
Wingmen
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Charlie Cochrane
Biography
Charlie Cochrane writes gay fiction, predominantly historical romances/mysteries, but with an increasing number of forays into the modern day. She's even been known to write about gay werewolves — highly respectable ones.
Her ideal day would be a morning walking along a beach, an afternoon spent watching rugby, and a church service in the evening, with her husband and daughters tagging along, naturally. She loves reading, theatre, good food and watching sport.
Charlie was named Author of the Year 2009 by the review site Speak Its Name.
Contact
e-Mail: cochrane.charlie2@googlemail.com
Website: www.charliecochrane.co.uk
Blog: charliecochrane.livejournal.com
Titles for Cheyenne Publishing
Aftermath (a novella included in Speak Its Name: A Trilogy)
Home Fires Burning
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Erastes
Biography
Erastes has been writing since 2003, and has had two novels, three novellas and over 20 short stories published, which have appeared in anthologies by Alyson Books, Cleis Press, STARbooks and many others. She specialises in gay historical fiction and works hard to bring attention to the genre. She owns Speak Its Name, the only review site to concentrate on gay historical fiction and is a member of The Macaronis, a group of like-minded authors. Her second novel, Transgressions, was one of the flagship releases by Running Press in their M/M Historical Romance line which is being marketed directly at the existing romance market.
She's also the Director of the Erotic Authors Association, and lives on the Norfolk Broads in England. She is drawing on the landscape of the local area for her next novel, a Victorian Gothic mystery, Mere Mortals.
Contact
- Website & Blog: erastes.com
Titles for Cheyenne Publishing
- Frost Fair
- Hard and Fast (a novella included in Speak Its Name: A Trilogy)
- Junction X
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Erik Orrantia
Biography
Born in San Francisco in 1970, Erik Orrantia lived in the San Francisco Bay area until 1997. By that time, he had earned a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and a Masters Degree in Counseling at California State University in Hayward. His original intention was to build a practice in Psychotherapy.
He then felt a calling to explore the world and entered an International Study Program in Mexico City where he earned a teaching credential. He works as a middle school teacher in San Diego County near the Mexican-American border.
He has traveled extensively throughout Mexico. He now spends most of his time in Tijuana with his partner and dedicates his free time to writing.
Contact
- e-Mail: captaineo70@yahoo.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/erikorrantia
Titles for Cheyenne Publishing
- Normal Miguel
- Taxi Rojo
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Mark R. Probst
Biography
Mark R. Probst lives in Washington State, works in the computer industry, and writes in his spare time. He is an avid movie buff, and has a special admiration for the western films of the classic era. He’s had a life-long interest in writing but didn’t become published until 2007.
His favorite novels are The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Maurice, and Gone with the Wind.
He started up Cheyenne Publishing with the dream of bringing gay-themed historical fiction into the limelight. He has several writing projects in development.
Contact
- Blog: markprobst.livejournal.com
Titles for Cheyenne Publishing
- The Filly
- Not To Reason Why
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Lee Rowan
Biography
Lee Rowan has been writing since childhood, but professionally only since spring of 2006, with the publication of her Eppie-winning novel, Ransom. She is a lady of a certain age, old enough to know better but young enough to do it anyway. A confirmed bookaholic with a wife of many years, she is kept in line by a cadre of cats and a dog who gets her away from the computer and out of the house at least once a day.
Contact
- Website: www.lee-rowan.net
Titles for Cheyenne Publishing
- Ransom
- Winds of Change
- Eye of the Storm
- Walking Wounded
- Gentleman's Gentleman (a novella included in Speak Its Name: A Trilogy)
- Home is the Sailor
- Sail Away
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Ruth Sims
Biography
Ruth Sims has lived her entire life in conservative, Republican, tiny-town Midwest USA surrounded by corn, wheat, and soybean fields. It's a strange place indeed for a Liberal Democrat to have sprouted. Like Emily Dickenson she's never seen a moor and never seen the sea but she's seen plenty of silos, Amish buggies, whitetails, and amber waves of grain. She'll battle anybody who says the flat, fertile land of the Midwest doesn't have its own kind of beauty.
Though many years past schooldays, her education is continuous and far-ranging, with interests ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous, from Shakespeare to groan-inducing puns and limericks. Her library has many shelves of history, biography, drama, and reference books. Her special love of drama is apparent in The Phoenix, and her passion for Classical and Romantic music comes to life in Counterpoint: Dylan's Story.
Words, imagination, books, music, and writing have always been the means by which she could slip into more exciting lives than her own. When the chance finally came for her to write full-time, she was able to focus on the stories that have been in her head for years. Her many characters are thankful to escape; it was getting crowded in there.
Contact
- Blog: ruth-sims.livejournal.com
- Website: www.ruthsims.com
Titles for Cheyenne Publishing
- Pride Pack 1 : Who Framed Lorenzo Garcia?
- Pride Pack 2 : The Case Of The Missing Mother
- Pride Pack 3 : The Quarterback's Secret
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Jordan Taylor
Biography
Jordan Taylor lives in the Pacific Northwest with several pets; dividing time between training dogs, collecting canine movie memorabilia, reading classic and modern literature and writing.
Contact
- Website: www.jordantaylorbooks.com
Titles for Cheyenne Publishing
- Shattered Diamonds (a novella included in Awake)
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Hayden Thorne
Biography
Hayden Thorne has lived most of her life in the San Francisco Bay Area though she wasn't born there (or, indeed, the USA). She's married with no kids and three cats, is a cycling nut (go Team Garmin!), and her day job involves artwork, crazy (read: incomprehensibly fun) coworkers who specialize in all kinds of media, and the occasional strange customer requests involving papier mache fish with sparkly scales.
She's a writer of young adult fiction, specializing in contemporary fantasy, historical fantasy, and historical genres. Her books range from a superhero fantasy series to reworked folktales to Victorian ghost fiction. Her themes are coming-of-age, with very little focus on romance (most of the time) and more on individual growth with some adventure thrown in.
Contact
- Blog: www.haydenthorne.net
Titles for Cheyenne Publishing
- The Glass Minstrel
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K.C. Warwick
Biography
K.C. Warwick lives in the heart of England, amidst countryside reputed to have inspired both Shakespeare and Tolkien. It's therefore not surprising that she writes history and fantasy, sometimes even combining the two! She has been writing since she could hold a pencil, but finds it considerably easier now that computers have been invented. Although she likes to think of herself as a writer, she also runs a business, looks after horses, and edits a quarterly magazine.
Contact
- Blog: kcwarwick.livejournal.com
- Website: kcwarwick.weebly.com
Titles for Cheyenne Publishing
- Prove a Villain
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Jon Wilson
Biography
Jon Wilson is an author with varied interests: historical fiction, fantasy and even the occasional murder-mystery. Likewise, he’s dabbled in assorted careers — from fast food server to professional wrestler (with male model, construction-contract specialist and lots and lots of retail thrown in the middle).
Something of a nomad, he’s lived in several states and a few foreign countries. He currently resides and works in Northern California.
Contact
- Blog: jonwilsonauthor.blogspot.com
Titles for Cheyenne Publishing
- A Hundred Little Lies
- A Shiny Tin Star
Submission Calls
Cheyenne Publishing currently has no calls for submissions.
If you have a submission you would like us to consider, please email a query letter to us at webmaster@cheyennepublishing.com. Please do not send us unsolicited manuscripts.
Some helpful hints regarding queries:
What we are looking for (in other words, what will be given higher consideration):
• Lesbian historical novels
• LGBT young adult novels, preferably historical
What we are not looking for:
• Alternate history, fantasy or anything that is not a fairly accurate representation of real life in the past.
• Stories about societies, such as Ancient Greece, where homosexuality was considered the norm.
• Erotica — The story can be sexually explicit, as may be intregral to the plot, but we don't want stories where eroticism is the main focus.
A few more things we'd like you to know:
• We prefer full novellas and novels with a word count between 50,000 and 80,000. There are exceptions for longer novels, but this is very rare.
• We do not accept queries for books that have been self-published, that are currently in print, or have been published online. This includes anything that has had more than 50% of the content posted online.
• Our books are distributed via POD (print-on-demand) through Ingram Book Company as well as a few independent distributors including Hotnote Books.
More Background On CheyennePublishing.com
Cheyenne Publishing is a respected independent publisher dedicated to producing quality LGBT novels and anthologies, with a strong focus on historical fiction—a niche where it has played a pioneering and nurturing role for more than a decade. This article provides a comprehensive profile of Cheyenne Publishing, familiarizing readers with its background, contributions, authors, publications, and cultural significance.
Founding and Ownership
Cheyenne Publishing was founded in 2007 by Mark R. Probst, an author with a longstanding passion for LGBTQ themes and historical storytelling. Probst’s vision was to bring gay-themed historical fiction into the literary limelight and nurture the genre’s emergence as a recognized artistic wave. The publisher began as a small press aiming to fill gaps in representation, especially for stories and authors that mainstream publishers often overlooked. It has since developed a creative team of authors committed to the same goals.
Mission and Goals
Cheyenne Publishing’s core objective is to “nurture LGBT historical fiction into becoming the new wave of LGBT fiction.” The press is committed to publishing works of high literary quality, with authenticity in historical detail, and with meaningful cultural resonance for LGBTQ audiences. It has specialized lines for adult fiction—drawing from some of the most prominent writers in gay historical fiction—as well as a young adult line that it is proud to recommend to gay teens. The publisher aims to be both a resource and a launching pad for writers and readers whose voices or stories might otherwise remain unheard.
Publishing Specialties and Selection Criteria
Cheyenne Publishing specializes in:
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Historical LGBT fiction, with an emphasis on both romance and mystery genres
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Young adult LGBT novels, often historical but always valuing stories that reflect growth and self-discovery
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Novellas and anthologies that hold significant cultural weight within the LGBTQ community
Their submission guidelines highlight an emphasis on historical accuracy and cultural integrity, discouraging alternate history, fantasy, and erotica when eroticism is the main focus. Instead, there is a preference for lesbian historical novels and young adult offerings, especially those that situate LGBTQ stories squarely within realistic historical frameworks. Manuscript length typically runs between 50,000–80,000 words. They do not accept self-published books, current in-print works, or manuscripts with more than 50% online availability.
Location and Distribution
Although the publisher’s name suggests Western roots, business addresses at various times, such as Scottsdale, Arizona, have been referenced as locations for Cheyenne Publishing operations. There is no public-facing physical store or office open to readers; operations are oriented toward independent and online publishing.
Distribution of Cheyenne Publishing’s books is conducted via print-on-demand (POD) through Ingram Book Company, one of the largest book distributors in the world, and through select independent distributors such as Hotnote Books. This distribution strategy has enabled Cheyenne Publishing to achieve a wide reach and maintain accessibility for both authors and readers.
History and Evolution
Cheyenne Publishing arose in response to the noticeable lack of historical LGBT fiction in both mainstream and genre-specific literary markets. Over time, the publisher expanded its catalog beyond adult historical novels to include anthologies and young adult fiction, all centered on LGBTQ protagonists whose stories resonate on both a personal and social level. The website functioned as a hub for the publisher and its community mainly between 2009 and 2013, providing vital exposure for both writers and readers at a time when such resources remained rare in the literary landscape.
Authors and Notable Works
Cheyenne Publishing has showcased a vibrant and talented stable of authors who are recognized contributors to the fields of LGBT and historical fiction. Below are several of the publisher’s notable writers and their major works:
P. A. Brown
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Canadian writer with a background in numerous fields, from technical administration to hospitality. Brown’s journey to publication was marked by perseverance, with a first book published at age 48.
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Notable title: L. A. Mischief
Ensan Case
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Released his novel Wingmen (originally published in 1979) through Cheyenne after a revival of interest in the book and reacquisition of his rights decades later.
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Case serves as an example of an author whose career was revived by Cheyenne Publishing’s commitment to LGBT literature.
Charlie Cochrane
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British author known for historical romances and mysteries, but also forays into contemporary fiction. Named Author of the Year 2009 by the review site Speak Its Name.
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Titles: Aftermath (in “Speak Its Name: A Trilogy”), Home Fires Burning
Erastes
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Director of the Erotic Authors Association and owner of one of the only review sites for gay historical fiction. Erastes has a prolific catalog, with novels, novellas, and many short stories.
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Titles: Frost Fair, Junction X, Hard and Fast (in “Speak Its Name: A Trilogy”)
Erik Orrantia
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San Francisco native and Mexican-based teacher, blending authentic life experience with fiction. Writes stories involving cross-cultural LGBTQ themes.
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Titles: Normal Miguel, Taxi Rojo
Mark R. Probst
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The publisher’s founder, himself an established author.
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Titles: The Filly, Not To Reason Why
Lee Rowan
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Award-winning author with numerous novels and anthologies, whose work often features LGBTQ perspectives in gripping historical settings.
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Titles: Ransom, Winds of Change, Gentleman's Gentleman (in “Speak Its Name: A Trilogy”), Home is the Sailor
Ruth Sims
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Midwestern US writer with a passion for drama, history, and music.
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Titles: Pride Pack 1–3 (Who Framed Lorenzo Garcia, The Case Of The Missing Mother, The Quarterback's Secret)
Additional Notables
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Jordan Taylor: Known for “Shattered Diamonds” (in “Awake”)
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Hayden Thorne: “The Glass Minstrel”
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K.C. Warwick: “Prove a Villain”
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Jon Wilson: “A Hundred Little Lies”, “A Shiny Tin Star”
These authors collectively contribute to the publisher’s reputation for depth, quality, and cultural relevance in LGBT historical fiction.
Editorial Approach and Submission Process
Submissions to Cheyenne Publishing are by query only, with an explicit preference against unsolicited manuscripts. Key selection factors include accurate portrayals of LGBT history, strong narrative quality, and broader cultural significance. The publisher does not solicit or accept erotica as the primary focus, nor do they accept works that present homosexuality as the societal norm within implausible historical settings.
Cheyenne Publishing also underscores a strong commitment against reprints or publishing work that already exists in the public domain (either via online posting or prior print). They have a clear goal to bring new, original voices and untold stories to the spotlight.
Reception, Reviews, and Audience
Cheyenne Publishing’s releases have drawn positive reviews from the LGBTQ community, historical fiction enthusiasts, and specialized review sites. Its mission has been praised for supporting marginalized voices and presenting LGBTQ experiences in historical contexts with dignity and complexity. The publisher is recognized for its authenticity and meticulous editorial standards, elevating the genre within both literary and queer circles.
Their audience includes:
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Readers seeking LGBTQ representation in fiction, especially in genres or periods where such voices are typically absent.
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Young adult readers and their families, looking for coming-of-age stories with emotional resonance and historical insight.
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Historical fiction fans who value research-driven narratives, character depth, and social context.
Cultural and Social Significance
Cheyenne Publishing’s influence stretches beyond the books it produces. By embracing responsible and affirming narratives, it has become a launching pad for writers marginalized by larger markets and a destination for readers seeking stories that reflect their identities. The publisher’s efforts have contributed to both normalization and celebration of LGBTQ perspectives in literary spaces that often marginalize or ignore them.
Cheyenne Publishing also works to avoid stereotypical, sensational, or exploitative depictions of queer life. Instead, it provides a platform for works treating LGBTQ characters as complex, fully realized participants in history and society, thereby contributing to broader conversations about diversity, representation, and the literary canon.
Awards and Honors
While individual accolades for specific authors are highlighted (such as Charlie Cochrane’s Author of the Year award from a review site), Cheyenne Publishing’s broader impact is most strongly measured by its influence within the niche—winning respect and devotion from LGBTQ readers, historians, and literary critics alike. Its books have become required reading for some academic courses and cited in critical work on queer historical fiction.
Press and Media Coverage
Cheyenne Publishing has been discussed in LGBTQ media, literary blogs, and academic circles as a transformative presence in LGBT publishing. The press’s focus on both quality and authenticity, combined with its commitment to bringing new voices to the fore, has drawn attention from book reviewers and historians of queer literature. It is often cited as an antidote to mainstream publishing’s reluctance to embrace historical LGBTQ stories.
Sample Publication List
Here is a non-exhaustive list of titles from Cheyenne Publishing, showcasing the range and diversity of its literary offerings:
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L. A. Mischief by P. A. Brown
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Wingmen by Ensan Case
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Aftermath and Home Fires Burning by Charlie Cochrane
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Frost Fair and Junction X by Erastes
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Normal Miguel and Taxi Rojo by Erik Orrantia
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The Filly and Not To Reason Why by Mark R. Probst
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Ransom, Winds of Change, Eye of the Storm, Walking Wounded, Gentleman’s Gentleman, Home is the Sailor, Sail Away by Lee Rowan
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Pride Pack 1–3 by Ruth Sims
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Shattered Diamonds by Jordan Taylor
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The Glass Minstrel by Hayden Thorne
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Prove a Villain by K.C. Warwick
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A Hundred Little Lies and A Shiny Tin Star by Jon Wilson
Editorial and Community Testimonials
Comments from readers and those connected to the press emphasize a strong appreciation for Cheyenne Publishing’s mission. For instance, one contributor reflects how watching an LGBT young adult novelist find a home at Cheyenne reminded them of the persistence required to bring bold ideas to life in other fields—underscoring the press’s role in opening literary doors and expanding horizons for unheard voices.
In sum, Cheyenne Publishing stands as a prominent, principled, and culturally important publisher in the world of LGBT historical fiction. Its catalog, authors, mission, and editorial rigor have made it a torchbearer for the movement toward fuller representation and deeper storytelling for—and about—the LGBTQ community. Cheyenne Publishing’s influence will continue to be felt both in the works it has produced and in the ways those works have paved the path for future generations of queer writers and readers.
