San Francisco Book Review Interviews Author Michael Dane

San Francisco Book Review, December 28, 2021

Read the San Francisco Book Review interview with Michael Dane, where he discusses his writing process and motivation for writing HomoAmerican – The Secret Society with editor, Kristi Elizabeth.

ScreenCraft Cites Strong Cinematic Adaptation Potential of “Born to Be Alive”

ScreenCraft 2022 Cinematic Short Story Competition, December 15, 2021

“Born to Be Alive,” an excerpt from HomoAmerican and submission for ScreenCraft's 2022 Cinematic Short Story Competition, received outstanding feedback from a Hollywood judge for its adaptation potential. “There is so much appeal to a story like this because of the hidden history that is hinted at on top of an engaging narrative. All the characters are very well developed and each one contains an anecdote that adds to the style and theme of the writing.”

Chicago’s Gerber/Hart Library Adds HomoAmerican to Collection

The Gerber/Hart Library and Archives, the largest circulating library of LGBTQ titles in the Midwestern United States, has added HomoAmerican – The Secret Society to its circulating library collection. Founded in 1981, Gerber/Hart Library and Archives seeks to preserve and make accessible the history and culture of the LGBTQ communities in Chicago and the Midwest in order to advance the larger goal of achieving justice and equality.

San Francisco Book Review Names HomoAmerican an “Exceptional Work” in “Resounding Five Star” Review

San Francisco Book Review, August 4, 2021

Reviewer Jessica Tingling hails HomoAmerican as “a witty, sharp novel that will resonate with readers for years to come.” In awarding the book with its highest rating of five stars, Tingling further raves that “the character depth that Dane achieves is majestic and far-reaching. His work will have readers reconsidering past interactions and obtaining a far greater understanding of our own missteps and aspirations. His unabashed introspective earns this work a resounding five stars, only because six stars is not an option.”

Quatrefoil Library, Nation’s Second-Oldest LGBT Library, Adds HomoAmerican to Collection

The Quatrefoil Library, one of the United States' oldest and biggest LGBT lending libraries, has added HomoAmerican – The Secret Society to its collection. The Quatrefoil Library is dedicated to preserving queer literature and protecting LGBTQIA+ stories and experiences from erasure, allowing generations young and old to see themselves represented. Q Library also serves as an event space, hosting events, book author readings, and countless organization & club meetings for the Minneapolis/St. Paul LGBTQIA+ community.

Manhattan Book Review Awards “Brilliant Biography” HomoAmerican its Highest 5-Star Review

Manhattan Book Review, July 21, 2021

Reviewer Foluso Falaye praises HomoAmerican as “one of the most revealing, elaborate, introspective, and brilliant biographies I have read.” Further stating that he “was abundantly rewarded with the multiple euphoric moments as I reflected on the many poetic and perspective words in the book. Michael Dane has a truly keen eye that’s trained to examine and dissect society and its flaws and contrast their experiences of different cultures. I spent a good amount of time bookmarking several lines that I couldn’t afford to read just once, one of which beautifully articulates how limiting being normal is.”

Stonewall National Museum & Archives Adds HomoAmerican to Research Collection

Stonewall National Museum & Archives, May 14, 2021

I am thrilled and honored to report that the Stonewall National Museum & Archives (SNMA), has added HomoAmerican – The Secret Society to its research collection!

Now in its 48th year of operation, SNMA is one of the oldest and only museums, libraries and archives in the country dedicated solely to the history and culture of LGBT people. In adding HomoAmerican to its archive, Executive Director, Hunter O’Hanian cited SNLA’s mission to “inspire and promote understanding through collecting, preserving and sharing the proud culture of LGBT people of all stories and their significant role in society.” And further commended, “We are grateful to people like you, whose engagement and support make this work possible.”

HomoAmerican Named Finalist for the 2020 Wishing Shelf Book Awards

The Wishing Shelf Book Awards, February 12, 2021

The Wishing Shelf Book Awards selected HomoAmerican – The Secret Society as a Finalist in the Non-Fiction Books for Adults category of its 2020 Awards. Wishing Shelf Book Review awarded HomoAmericana five-star review calling it “a fascinating and always insightful look at being gay and growing up in a homophobic world. Excellent!” The reviewer further noted, “The storytelling is strong … I very much enjoyed getting to know so many colorful and interesting characters. The author is very insightful when describing them and his ability to ‘bring them to life’ is outstanding. I love the honesty. It’s there on every page; in every sentence. And that’s why it’s such a gripping read.”

HomoAmerican Sweeps Royal Dragonfly Book Awards! Michael Dane Named Best New Author for Non-Fiction

Story Monsters/Royal Dragonfly Book Awards, December 1, 2020

HomoAmerican – The Secret Society placed first in the Biography/Autobiography/Memoir and LGBT categories of the 2020 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards. In addition to being named the best in these two categories, Royal Dragonfly recognized Michael Dane as its Best New Author: Non-Fiction! The Royal Dragonfly Book Awards are sponsored by Story Monsters LLC and Story Monsters Ink^® magazine, the literary resource for educational institutions, teachers and librarians and winner of the 2016 Irwin Award for Best Publisher of a Literary Magazine. Through its Dragonfly Book Awards contest, Story Monsters helps authors strive for excellence and connect with libraries, schools and the mediato reach a wider audience.

HomoAmerican Named Award-Winning Finalist in American Book Fest’s Book of the Year Contest

American Book Fest, November 20, 2020

HomoAmerican – The Secret Society, has been named an Award-Winning Finalist in the LGBTQ: Non-Fiction category of the 2020 Best Book Awards sponsored by American Book Fest. This year’s contest yielded thousands of entries from mainstream and independent publishers, including HarperCollins, Penguin/Random House, John Wiley and Sons, NYU Press, Oxford University Press, John Hopkins University Press and hundreds of Independent Houses. It is a unique honor for American Book Fest’s distinguished panel of industry judges, with extensive editorial, public relations, marketing and design expertise, to recognize HomoAmerican as one of the “Best of the Best.”

HomoAmerican Wins IAN 2020 LGBTQ Book of the Year!

The Independent Author Network, November 8, 2020

The Independent Author Network (IAN) has selected HomoAmerican – The Secret Society as its 2020 Outstanding LGBTQ Fiction & Non-Fiction category winner! Recognized as one of the leading awards contests for small presses, mid-size independent publishers, university presses and self-published authors, the IAN Book of the Year Awards is an international contest open to all English language print and eBooks available for sale and receives submissions from thousands of authors withinforty fiction and non-fiction categories.

HomoAmerican Receives Perfect Score and Outstanding Review from Writer’s Digest Judge

Writer’s Digest, November 3, 2020

HomoAmerican received the highest score of “5” or “Outstanding” in each of six categories including: “Structure, Organization, & Pacing,” “Plot & Story Appeal,” “Character Appeal & Development,” and “Voice & Writing Style.” The Judge’s commentary from 28th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published BookAwards further praised HomoAmerican: “There is a pulse running through this book, an energy that at first beckons the reader, intrigues and scares, upsets and pushes at buttons. I’m fascinated by how this pulse is very much like an additional central character. Very well done. The story delivers movie-worthy images. Well done.”

HomoAmerican Selected for Curated Collection Offered through OverDrive

Indie Author Project/OverDrive, October 15, 2020

HomoAmerican – The Secret Society , has been selected by curators in the Indie Author Project (IAP) network for inclusion in the IAP Select Memoir Commercial Collections offered to libraries nationwide through OverDrive!

The IAP eBook collections feature award-winning titles hand-selected by Library Journal, Black Caucus of the ALA (BCALA), and a network of hundreds of librarians. In partnership with public libraries, the Indie Author Project Team continues to expand the ways in which indie-published books can be discovered and enjoyed by more readers. OverDrive is the leading digital reading platform for libraries & schools worldwide and is dedicated to “a world enlightened by reading” by delivering the industry’s largest catalog of eBooks, audiobooks, magazines and other digital media to a growing network of 43,000 libraries and schools in 76 countries.

Kindle Book Awards Names HomoAmerican Semi-Finalist in 2020 Contest

Kindle Book Awards, September 1, 2020

The Kindle Book Review has named HomoAmerican as a Semi-finalist in the Non-Fiction category of the 2020 Kindle Book Awards. The 9th Annual Kindle Book Awards were open to small press and independent authors that have published their eBook on Amazon between May 1, 2017 and May 1, 2020. Of the millions of eBooks published and available through Amazon and the thousands of entries in this year’s contest, HomoAmerican was named one of 20 best books in the Non-Fiction category!

BiblioBoard Adds HomoAmerican to Mobile & Web Library Platform

BiblioBoard, September 8, 2020

HomoAmerican - The Secret Society, is now available in Indie New York, a collection of books from local independent authors available exclusively on the BiblioBoard Library mobile and web platform. This collection is available to patrons of participating libraries all across New York State. With just one click thousands of readers in New York can now access HomoAmerican online!

Indie New York Names HomoAmerican “Highlight” Selection for Non-Fiction Anthology

Indie New York/BiblioBoard, September 8, 2020

Indie New York designated HomoAmerican a “Highlight” selection within its Non-Fiction Anthology collection available exclusively on the BiblioBoard Library mobile and web platform. This collection is available to patrons of participating libraries all across New York State.

Dane Featured in IndieReader’s
“All About the Book” Interview

IndieReader, August 11, 2020

IRDA Winning Author Michael Dane discusses his inspiration for writing HomoAmerican and how, through his stories, he takes the reader by the hand, on a liberating, joyful and often quite funny journey through the dance, music and theatre worlds of the 1970s and 80s.

HomoAmerican Included in Prestigious Kirkus Reviews Magazine

Kirkus Reviews, August 1, 2020

Kirkus Indie editors selected HomoAmerican for inclusion in the August 1st issue of Kirkus Reviews. Less than 10% of Indie authors are featured in Kirkus Reviews magazine, which goes out to book sellers, librarians,literary agents, publishers, film executives and other industry professionals.

Kirkus Reviews praises HomoAmerican as “…a perceptive portrait of a gay man in the post-Stonewall era, fighting to be himself as he weathers homophobic jibes and pressure to tone down the flamboyance (which he often resisted).” Kirkus notes that “Dane relates his misadventures in vivid prose with piquant character sketches and evocative scenes of the not-so-fine arts, ”and concludes that, “Readers will be captivated and amused by Dane as he pursues his starry-eyed hopes.”

HomoAmerican Wins 2020 IndieReader Discovery Award for Best Cover Design

IndieReader, May 28, 2020

HomoAmerican - The Secret Society has won the prestigious 2020 IndieReader Discovery Award for Best Cover Design in the Non-Fiction category. IndieReader launched the IRDAs in 2011 to help notable indie authors receive the attention of top publishing professionals, with the goal of reaching more readers. Noted Amy Edelman, author and founder of IR, “The books that won the IRDAs this year are not simply great indie books; they are great books, period!”

Dane Delivers Acceptance Speech for Prestigious ‘Best Cover Design’ IRDA Award

IndieReader,May 28, 2020

Michael Dane delivers his acceptance speech for winning the prestigious 2020 IndieReader Discovery Award for Best Cover Design in the Non-Fiction category. The awards were to be presented at BookExpo America at the Javitz Center in New York, but in light of recent events, each category winner provided a video acceptance speech for media release.

The US Review of Books Says Dane Joins Ranks of Noteworthy LGTBQ Writers

The US Review of Books, May 19, 2020

Reviewer Dylan Ward pays tribute to author Michael Dane in the opening line of his review of HomoAmerican – The Secret Society, “With the rise of noteworthy novels and biographies from LGBTQ writers such as Paul Lisicky, Noelle Stevenson, Brandon Taylor, and Ocean Vuong, Dane joins the ranks with his hefty, detailed memoir.” Ward observes, “There is a raw, lyric power to Dane’s prose that is seductive and renders the reader unto a “language of the heart” and praises HomoAmerican as “an unforgettable, absorbing read.”

HomoAmerican – The Secret Society selected as Finalist for 2019 SPR Book Awards

Self-Publishing Review, April 14, 2020

HomoAmerican was one of 22 finalists selected for the 2019 SPR Book Awards. In recognizing the finalists for 2019, SPR founder Henry Baum stated, “This year's entries were of a very competitive standard from across the globe, and your work was highly appreciated by our judges. We chose very few finalists this year, and the winners won by one or two points, so we hope your placing warms your literary heart!”

Wishing Shelf Reviews Favors HomoAmerican with Five-Star Review

Wishing Shelf Reviews, April 14, 2020

In its review of HomoAmerican, The Wishing Shelf noted that it “loved this book so much we awarded it five stars!” The reviewer further raved that HomoAmerican is “a fascinating and always insightful look at being gay and growing up in a homophobic world. Excellent! The storytelling is strong … I very much enjoyed getting to know so many colorful and interesting characters. The author is very insightful when describing them and his ability to ‘bring them to life’ is outstanding. I love the honesty. It’s there on every page; in every sentence. And that’s why it’s such a gripping read.”

Foreword Clarion Reviews Awards HomoAmerican with Top Rating

Foreword Reviews, April 6, 2020

Foreword Clarion Reviews recognized HomoAmerican with a five-out-of-five reviewer score. In awarding its top rating, the reviewer noted, “The book is fully, brilliantly human. Characters speak in fractured dialogue that spatters the text, adding dimension to an already rich narrative tapestry. Original and authentic, HomoAmerican is a unique memoir that manages to be humorous, wise, and moving all at once. Both historical and profoundly personal, HomoAmerican is a record of Dane’s struggle to break free and live in full, open celebration of himself at a time when gay rights were stifled, hidden, and silenced. This triumphant memoir is as timely as ever and told with moving honesty.”

HomoAmerican Achieves Esteemed IndieReader ‘IR Approved’ Status

IndieReader, January 22, 2020

In recognizing HomoAmerican with its IR Approved status, IndieReader praised HomoAmerican as “a vividly-written biography that throws the reader directly into the emotional, intellectual, and physical life of a gay man growing up in homophobic times, told with vigor, charm, and heart."

New York Public Library Adds HomoAmerican to Research Collection

December 17, 2019

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Jerome Robbins Dance Division has added HomoAmerican – The Secret Society to its research collection. Curator Linda Murray noted, “the Dance Division is the proud home of the collections of Mikhail Baryshnikov, Rudolf Nureyev and Alexandra Danilova as well as the Trocks archive so your autobiography will provide wonderful enrichment of these primary materials. We are pleased to add this title to our library.”

Midwest Book Review Recommends HomoAmerican for LGBT Studies Shelf

Midwest Book Review, December 2019

Midwest Book Review “unreservedly recommends” HomoAmerican “for community, college, and university library LGBTQ collections,” and “for the personal reading lists of students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject (LGBT Studies).” In making this recommendation, Midwest Book Review commended, “Exceptionally well written, impressively informative, notably thoughtful and thought-provoking, HomoAmerican - The Secret Society is a deftly crafted history that is both intensely personal and at the same time universal in scope and subject.” Midwest Book Review, established in 1976, publishes book reviews for community and academic library organizations, booksellers, and the general reading public.