Mark A. Roeder Books In Order

Publication Order of Blackford Gay Youth Chronicles Books

Publication Order of Bloomington Gay Youth Chronicles Books

Publication Order of Verona Gay Youth Chronicles Books

Publication Order of Gay Youth Chronicles Complete Chronology Books

Chronological Order of Gay Youth Chronicles Complete Chronology Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Mark A Roeder is a young adult, Gay and Lesbian novelist best known for writing the “Gay Youth Chronicles” series of novels. He was brought up in a small town in southern Indiana that is very much like the small town of Verona where most of his novels are set. He went to a high school that has several similarities with Verona High School. During his time going to school, there no openly gay students and instead there was a lot of hate and prejudice against homosexuals. Being called a “fag” or “gay” was one of the worst form of abuse one could get hurled at them. Roeder does believe that many of the scenes he writes about in his novels would have happened at his school. Most of the people living in Indiana tend to be conservative and most people that go outside the conservative sphere are ostracized. The biggest dread for many queer people was being excluded, exposed and even exiled. He would go on to spend some time in northern Indiana and his setting in Verona is a combination of his experiences from both towns. It is a town that could be found in Indiana and just about any other state in the US.

Roeder has always been asked if any of his characters are based on who he is. While several of his characters are inspired by who he is, he has also found inspiration in other people. Both Taylor and Mark of “The Soccer Field Is Empty” were derived from who she is. He ended up splitting his personality between the characters and gave Taylor the more sensitive and thoughtful side while Mark was made more determined and confident. When you read the feelings and thoughts of the two characters, you are pretty much reading about Mark Roeder. He believes every author does pretty much the same in inserting themselves into their characters. Much of what he believes he can be and thinks he is can be found in the personality and growth journeys of his characters. Mark published “Cadets of Culver,” the debut novel of the “Gay Youth Chronicles” in 2016. He is now a full time author and is considered one of the most prolific authors in the gay genre. He plans to write until he is no longer able as he is always finding new situations and characters to explore.

Mark A Roeder’s debut novel “Cadets of Culver” is set in the summer of 1912. It is a time when thousands of visitors poured out of passenger trains to go enjoy the delights of Culver, a beautiful resort town in Indiana. They lived at the many hotels around town and on the banks of Lake Maxinkuckee, where they often danced away the night. It was a great time for everyone as everything seemed to be looking up and everyone wanted to have a good time. But Grayson is a man guilty about his past and is now working on making something of himself by changing his ways. On the other hand is the contented Shane who believed he was living the dream until he bumps into Grayson. The two are Culver Military Academy cadets who see in each other what they have never seen in any lover before. They know they are different but one indulges in the life while another is working hard to turn away from it all. Maybe they can find happiness by being together in this tale of friendship, love and dealing with the consequences of a tragic past.

“A Triumph of Will” is a story set in the mid 20the century and follows the life and times of fifteen year old Kurt who has very different interests from those of his contemporaries. He does not care that he is different until he goes to the school dance and meets Angel who changes his entire perspective. Angel is beautiful and nothing has ever been more clear and certain for him. From the time he realizes that he is attracted to a boy he is devastated. He does not know what to do and when Angel makes an effort at striking a conversation, his instinct is to punch him and he does it. Angel plays for the baseball university team and is also part of the gang led by Adam. Kurt’s life is turned upside down and while Angel and Adam attack him from the outside his mind is coming at him from outside. Kurt is even more terrified and just when it seems everything will come crashing down life changes and it seems he might be in line for some happiness. When Angel finally manages to get to him, he could not be more surprised. Angel happens to have the same feelings and even better, makes him realize that having homosexual feelings is not perverted, wrong or a disease.

“Outfield Menace” by Mark A Roeder is a story set in 1942 during World War II. Will has a brother in the Pacific theater but he has to stay behind. He decides to go to Indiana University in place of his brother and it is at the campus that he meets two soon to be legendary men that are also students at his college. He had always believed that he was the only boy with an attraction to other boys. But then he gets into the marriage course taught by Professor Kinsey and realizes just how wrong he was. He meets Ben who he believes may have the same attractions. Once he confirms his suspicions, it is not long before the two are in a halting and awkward relationship of love and discovery. Will is shocked that black people attend the same university and he is afraid and leery of Adam but when he realizes how much discrimination Adam faces on a daily basis he is ashamed of his prejudice. Together, Adam and Will team up with a powerful ally ad surreptitiously and subtly integrate their college. But just as they are achieving changes for the better, Will has to deal with prejudice that may only be resolved through tragedy. It is a story of fear, ignorance, friendship and the power of love and knowledge to make the world a better place.