Trysts: A Triskaidecollection of Queer and Weird Stories

Steve Berman has assembled thirteen of his most evocative stories, all of which revolve around the central theme of the assignation or 'tryst.' But these passionate hookups and romantic encounters range from the eerie to the horrifying to the wondrous. Trysts offers readers dark and quirky tales from a distinctive new voice in gay fiction.

From the Publisher

Trysts has received two nominations (Best Other Work and Best Short Story) for the 2002 Spectrum Awards, which are sponsored by the Gaylactic Network and created to honor works in science fiction, fantasy, and horror that deal positively with queer characters, themes, and issues.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

"Zane shivered when more alcohol spilled over him, splashing down his shirt, dripping down his arms. A weird calm settled over him, like a child watching others rush around but feeling distant and apart from them, lost in the observation. He looked at Saj, who frantically drenched him. Then Saj said, "I need you." The numbness changed to real fear. Zane grabbed the nearest bottle, twisted off the cap and began wetting down Saj. A harsh, medicinal smell clung to both of them like a thick aura.Zane saw the thing s claw first. It slipped through the crack between door and frame, resembling a blackened, shriveled leaf twitching in the wind. It slid through, scratching, finally reaching up and clutching the knob and unlocking the door." -- from "Hair Like Fire, Blood Like Silk"

About the Author

Steve Berman has published over a hundred articles, essays, and short fiction works. He has been a finalist for the Andre Norton Award, Lambda Literary Award, Golden Crown Literary Award, and Shirley Jackson Awards. He has edited more anthologies of queer speculative fiction than any other individual, alive or dead. He resides in southern New Jersey, where he runs Lethe Press, a small press that publishes books offering queer and weird adventures for readers of every gender and sexual identity.

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