HNT - Special Guest SGK

For those of you eager to see the next Chapter in the "Spud Wars" Darth Tater saga, do not despair. Darth will be returning next week (I have something a lot more meaningful to share this week, and besides, a little suspense is healthy)

This week, I'd like to take the time to introduce a good friend of mine named Stephen King.

No, no, not that writer guy. No, wait, Stephen is a writer. But he uses his full name (Stephen Graham King) to write, because, as you guessed it, this is a joke he's heard thousands upon thousands of times. So what is it with people with that particular name and a huge talent for the written word? I'm not sure, I'm just extremely thankful for it.

For those of you just here for the HNT picture, here it is on the right -- it's from a series of author photos taken by a Saskatoon area pro photographer (Debra Marshall) as possible author shots for Stephen's new book Just Breathe. This is one of my favourites. And it's half of a full naked shot, so nicely qualifies as half-nekkid. More shots, many of them also of the traditional Half-Nekkid variety, can be viewed here.

For those of you interested in learning a bit more about this brilliant and talented writer and dear friend of mine, please do read on.

Several years ago, Stephen, a colleague at work, approached me and asked if I'd be willing to read his biographical account of a prolonged battle with a rare, aggressive cancer known as synovial sarcoma. I didn't know Stephen all that well at the time, just that he was a pretty decent guy and we shared a somewhat twisted sense of humour and a love of writing. So I hesitantly agreed I'd give it a read and offer comments.

I was completely blown away and swept into his world. Stephen's writing is powerful and stunning and brings the reader right into the heart of the issues surrounding cancer patients and cancer survivors. It's a heart-felt, gut wrenching, yet beautiful account of the struggles and triumphs of a gay man forced not only to fight the cancer consuming his body, but also to confront a series of body-image feelings and emotions in our hugely image-conscious society. I admit to both laughing and crying as I read the manuscript. I made pages of editorial notes and quickly joined in Stephen's dream to see this book published.

And that time is now here.

Here's an advance praise editorial blurb that I offered for Stephen's book:

"Stephen Graham King writes in a way that transcends the traditional reader-writer relationship. You don't read this book so much as you stand beside the author, his arm around your shoulder, as he lets you in on the intimate thoughts, feelings and emotions he experienced through his trials. His words are honest, touching, poignant and heartfelt; they come alive like a dear friend sharing his story across a coffee shop table"

Stephen also received some other wonderful advance praise blurbs from Robert J. Sawyer, Nalo Hopkinson, Suzanne North and Indigo's CEO and chief book lover, Heather Reisman.

Stephen is a beautiful man, a dear friend, and a writer whose brilliance and unabashed style shines gloriously in this, his first book.

I sincerely encourage anyone who has ever been touched by cancer to check it out. It's available in print format in Canada and the U.S.A. as well as in e-book format. You can also easily browse the content of the book online.

And, I will, of course, gladly accept e-hugs to pass along to Stephen.

Not sure what half-nekkid is all about? Click below