goaltender interference: it's release day!
Well, it’s here…the Goaltender Interference release day. It’s kind of hard to believe. I’ve been working on this series in some form or another since 2017. I’ve been living with Matt and Aiden, in some form or another, since 2020. I announced Game Misconduct on August 22, 2022, and by today (a little over two and a half years) I’ve published four books and had another book die on sub, which is objectively a bit of a crazy publishing/writing/editing schedule. I’m grateful to everyone who’s been along for the ride, as chaotic and strange as it’s been. On that note, you may be interested in checking out my previous newsletters about how personal this book is (and why Aiden’s neurodivergence isn’t specifically named in the book) and also about some of the food Aiden and his mom cook in the book.
This moment is weird and a bit bittersweet so…on to some fun stuff.
First, please appreciate some wonderful art of Matt and Aiden by Roz (I almost never commission things but I’m so happy I did this). I just love everything about this, from the soft moon lighting, to the blue of the night sky and skyline, to Matt’s hand on Aiden’s waist, to the height difference, to the yearning.
Also, you can check out some playlists for the book. Here’s the main book playlist, Aiden’s playlist (many thanks to my friend Darcy Green [who, coincidentally, just announced their debut novel sale to Penguin Australia, pls go congratulate them too when you can] for going completely over the top to help with this one, the full version of Aiden’s playlist is over three hours and that’s not counting the various playlists for his exes), and Matt’s playlist. Also some songs that Aiden’s played for Matt on the guitar over the years, and two of Isaac Pearson’s playlists that are mentioned in the book (songs to get over your ex to is a work in progress).
Also, here is a series of prequel stories about the beginning of Matt and Aiden’s relationship. It’s almost 52,000 words, and it’s set in 2010 and 2011. It’s called Would You Promise to be Kind. The first story is from Aiden’s POV, the second story is an outsider POV, and the third is Matt’s. It’s available on the extra content page of my website along with all of the other shorts. The password is heartinhand23 (no quotes, no spaces, no capital letters, just exactly as it was written there). It’s my suggestion that you read these stories after you read Goaltender Interference because they are very light and fluffy in comparison, and I think it reads better with the inherent sense of tragedy of knowing how badly their breakup affects them. But maybe that’s just me. Obviously you have to do you.
So, here we are.
The last book in the Penalty Box series, for the for foreseeable future. I can’t entirely believe it.
There will probably be some extra stories (there’s one about Matt’s rookies I’ll hopefully be able to finish soon, one more about Eric and Ryan that I had promised earlier but haven’t been able to deliver, and another novella about an older journeyman/failed nepo baby Seattle defense pairing), and I have concepts and outlines for two more books in the series (there’s an age gap goalie tandem book and a Leo Cohen book in me…), but I’m also excited, for the first time in a long time, to not be working on deadline, and to have the time to write about something other than hockey (as of right now, it’s a Jewish folklore influenced romantasy). I’m just taking a deep breath and appreciating the space and quiet. I’ve actually finished reading books that weren’t research-related for the first time in almost a year.
And with that…I hope you enjoy Matt and Aiden’s story. Thank you, so much, for reading, and for caring enough to sign up for a newsletter and listen to me ramble. I appreciate every single one of you.
Thanks for reading,
— Ari 🧡