It Was One Helluva Launch Par-Tay!

The April 29th Nothing Can Tear Us Apart—SHATTERED! Virtual Official Launch was ab-so-lute-ly spectacular!

Presented by The Bears Network and the WYATT! Podcast, the special event was hosted by James Butler, founder of The Bears Network, and Ali Lopez, Mr. International Leather Bear. The guest panelists were Markus Aurelyus, singer/songwriter, and Joshua R. Pangborn, founder of Sidekick Productions.

SHATTERED! is the continuing saga of Wes (African-American) and ‘Tonio (Latino), who struggle to keep their monogamous relationship alive and thriving. Along the way, the two openly gay/SGL (same-gender-loving) men must confront the aftermath of Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse (IPV/A), mental instability, and Wes’ highly contentious and combustible father/son dynamic. The ultimate question is whether Wes and ‘Tonio can proclaim that “Nothing Can Tear Us Apart???”

The official SHATTERED! Launch was divided into three sections. Part One was a Q&A, with the esteemed Messrs. Butler and Lopez peppering me with questions that were substantive, spicy—and a wee bit scandalous! The hosts certainly kept me on my toes.

Part Two of the event was an engaging and absorbing conversation regarding the Big Boi/Bear Community. We deeply explored Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse (IPV/A), known as domestic violence and abuse within the LGBTQ+ community. This demeaning, destructive, horrific, and sometimes life-threatening cycle of abuse is one of the major themes of SHATTERED! Being an IPV/A subject matter expert, I explained this behavior and pointed out the warning signs.

Part Three consisted of me performing two naughty, provocative, and tasty selections from Nothing Can Tear Us Apart—SHATTERED! Needless to say, the heat was on! (LOL)

I announced the two winners of the SHATTERED! Contest: Messrs. Robert A. Karl and Alvin Taylor. The prize package is an autographed copy of the new novel and remarkable renditions of Wes & ‘Tonio, created by the uber-popular Gay Bear Artist, Mr. Don Chooi.

SHATTERED! is a high-octane, sexually-charged, compelling psychological thriller! It’s an emotional rollercoaster ride full of soapy goodness. An Amazon exclusive, SHATTERED! is already receiving strong, solid reviews.

I want to thank everyone involved, including the many attendees, for making the SHATTERED! Official Launch an outstanding success!

About the Author: Wyatt O'Brian Evans

Mr. Evans has reported and written for print and on line media outlets including the Huffington Post, The Washington Post, The Advocate, Bilerico, BaltimoreOUTloud, Washington Post, Baltimore Gay Life and the Washington Blade. His series of articles on issues such as Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse (IPV/A), Relationships, Depression, and Racism strongly resonate with the LGBTQ Community and its Allies. To read his work for HUFF PO, visit: https://huffingtonpost.com/wyatt-obrian-evans/ Mr. Evans has written an in-depth, multi-part and award-winning series on racism within the LGBTQ Community for Bilerico.. To have Mr. Evans write for your media outlet and organization also, please contact him using our contact form.