What books are on Dan Savage's night table?
According to the Times' Sunday Magazine interview, if push aside Dan's p.j.'s you'll find:
A great number of Queen biographies (as in "ancient regents," not Freddie Mercury), and
Aaron Travis, aka Steven Saylor!
Saylor is a beloved Roman-era historical fiction writer— but Travis is his erotic nom-de-plume.
Dan "outs" Steven as Aaron Travis big-time, in the most prestigious book publication in the land. But that was an open secret.
My big thrill is that just this year, I asked Aaron to put together a new audiobook (and Kindle version) of his favorite short stories: No Shades of Gray: The Best Erotic Fiction of Aaron Travis.
He said, "What should I include?" -- Aretha and I prepared a glorious list of our favorites.
E.L. James has given erotica such a bad name, it's hard to know how to introduce you to Aaron, except to say this: his protagonists are gay men, and in 15 YEARS of editing Best American Erotica, my millions of readers (yes, millions) voted him their favorite living erotic writer of all.
Now are you curious? His stories are very iconic/thematic, mysteries to horror to historical fantasy. Terrifying and suspenseful.... YES. I've had goose bumps on a warm afternoon listening to a Travis short story.
So, uh, Dan, if you and Terry need a little light listening.... call me! My big congrats to Steve, an American writing legend.
