The August 2009 issue of True Tales: An Erotic E-zine of Masculinity and Power features recommendations of new gay fiction, nonfiction, and art in the Leathermen section. (And no, we haven't forgotten about the promised Prisoners issue. It's been bumped up to next year.)

david stein, whose Tryout at the Bondage Club has proved to be one of True Tales's most popular stories, is back with a new collection of master/slave stories. We link to his powerful opening story, illustrated by Axel: "Becoming Real."

Jack Fritscher, who has contributed works to True Tales in the past, has won a number of awards for his new book that collects pieces from the legendary Drummer magazine, which he edited in the 1970s. We link to a 1978 article of his (with a new introduction) that is literary edgeplay even by today's standards: "Pissing in the Wind."

Two online authors who have been receiving a good deal of attention in recent months are Maculategiraffe and M. Chandler. By a happy coincidence, both writers have produced side stories in their popular series which focus on sex scenes that are on the rougher side . . . without sacrificing the emotional interactions that their characters are famous for. "The First Rule of Fight Club is . . ." and "Coitus Interruptus" wrap up the August 2009 issue of True Tales.

There must be something seriously wrong with my brain. Here I am, listening to hurricane statistics on danger, damage, and death, and all I can think is, "I wonder whether there's any hurricane erotica out there?"

The September 2008 issue of True Tales is devoted to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. You can read an editorial on the Galveston County prisoners, peruse an essay by Daddy James that was written on the eve of Hurricane Ike, and view bittersweet erotic art by Michel Giliberti.

Plus, hurricane porn.

The August 2008 issue of True Tales: An Erotic E-zine of Masculinity and Power links to texts, photography, and a video in tribute to Larry Townsend, late author of The Leatherman's Handbook. The issue includes links to interviews by Jack Rinella and Bob Wingate, as well as writings by Larry Townsend, Thomas Roche, Jack Fritscher, and others.

E-zine's warning page | Latest issue.

Links on the Military Men page have been added to stories by Ranger, Parhelion, and Marquesate that are set around the conflicts in World War One, World War Two, and the modern British army.

Links on the Leathermen page have been added to bondage art that is an exercise in minimalism, an article about a bottom-man's efforts to overcome a phobia, and a video about power play that starts in a leather bar.

Links on the Military Men page have been added to fiction about unusual twists to life in the British army in 1951 and to a Tom of Finland drawing that departs from his usual style.

Links on the Leathermen page have been added to a 1965 interview with a member of a Danish leather club, an accompanying photograph, poetry about a slave who discovers his limits, and a video that's definitely not just for the leather crowd.

Links on the Military Men page have been added to fiction about submarine men's confrontation with hard truths, erotic navy art, an interview with a gay soldier about his relationship with his straight roommate, and a video that can only be summarized as "Hard fighters, erotic scenery."

Links on the Leathermen page have been added to fiction about a fister's search for healing at Southern Decadence, master/slave bear art, a true tale about a gay man's introduction to leather life, and a related song that was popular in gay clubs in 1979 . . . but was too edgy for the straight clubs.

In addition, the Submissions page has been altered into a Submit a Link page. Whether you create works on masculinity and power, or just enjoy them, feel free to submit a link.

A note from the editor: I now have a MySpace page. It covers all of my writings, but among other things, I will be posting notices of updates to True Tales there. Feel free to request to be added as a Friend.

FICTION: Death and the Veteran. By Ruthless. As Christmas approaches, a veteran looks back on a lost past and awaits the inevitable arrival of a skeleton.

We woke early, stayed in bed, bodies locked rocking and fused by the moistness of sweat. . . . Death come dance with me. Let your hand link my hand with Noel's hand.

FICTION: Verdict. By Parhelion. Sergeant Carl Riemann was the sort of "real" man who had the homos in back alleys down on their knees. But Sergeant Riemann wasn't interested in being knelt to. Quite the opposite.

His mouth was warm and wet, clever-tongued and letting me in real deep. It wasn't his fault that I was somewhere else entirely inside my own head.

NONFICTION: Black-Leather Black Mass Celebrates Perfect Sex Date 6/9/69, Eighteen Days Before Stonewall Rebellion. By Jack Fritscher. An on-the-spot account of an occult leather gathering, from a new edition of a book originally published in 1972.

The coven wore black leather garments ranging from loose medieval robes to motorcycle gear.

FICTION: At the Barracks on Folsom: Leather-Bondage Whip Dance from Some Dance to Remember. By Jack Fritscher. Heartbroken over the death of his father, a San Franciscan gay man tells himself that he doesn't need anonymous S&M any more. Then he makes the mistake of walking into a bathhouse.

A large can of Crisco sat on the floor. Votive candles burned on the window sill.

FICTION: Spontaneous. By Dusk Peterson. Can an Old Guard top survive in a world with safe words?

I promise you, "Anything you want," is not what you say to Master Trent. Not when he has his black handkerchief sticking out of his back pocket.

FICTION: Mardi Gras. By Max E. Verga. It was the best Mardi Gras ever: Owen had found a tattooed woman who gave him everything he could have dreamed of. Then the boyfriend came home.

"You suck too?" he added as his eyes narrowed to slits. "No," Owen responded, which was the truth, but not one he thought the cop was about to accept.

POETRY: New Orleans, Nos 1 to 9. By Master Sade. Gay, straight, gender-bending. . . Master Sade's poems explore a New Orleans that many misunderstand.

new orleans wears leather, carries handcuffs, takes, does not forgive . . .

FICTION: Cruel Fate. By David C. Set in a bar below hills scarred by forest fire, this darkly haunting tale describes an unlikely encounter between a top and a sneaker-shod young man who just won't let him alone.

"I'm flagging black left. You know what that means?" He shrugged. "It means," I said, turning my attention back to the game, "that I'm out of your league."

NEWS: American Flags and Paddles: A Flea Market with a Difference. D.C.-area leather clubs join together to hold an event that looks oddly familiar . . . on the surface.

"Few events are more Middle America than a flea market. The ordinary, everyday couples burrowing through junk to find the bargains. The boys and girls horsing around with each other and with their elders. The air of utter conventionality.

"Unless, of course, it is a leather flea market.

"'Let me show you how this is done,' said the top, taking a paddle from the hand of a potential customer."