95. Take a Page from #GayBookstagram (with Rod Lujano)

Inclusive representation in literature offers LGBTQ+ people a sense of visibility, validation, and connection as they see their experiences authentically mirrored, which fosters a more inclusive narrative for readers. While it was historically challenging to engage with LGBTQ+ literature, today’s social media communities actively promote and amplify inclusive representation, providing a space for queer voices to be celebrated, shared, and discovered, creating a sense of community and expanding the visibility of these narratives in the literary landscape.

In this episode, Rod Lujano (@rodlujano), a gay bookstagrammer, joins us to discuss social media’s impact in amplifying queer voices, fostering inclusive LGBTQ+ representation in literature, and navigating the challenges posed by recent attempts at book bans.

Additional Resources:

• Follow Rod on Instagram
• Connect with Rod on Goodreads
• Follow Rod on Threads
• Connect with Rod on Facebook
• Check Out Rod’s Book Wishlist

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31: The Why Behind the Weird

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Transcript

Guest Opener (0:00)

Rod Lujano

Bookstagram and other platforms give back to people. You know, it gives them their chance to raise their voices and interact with others without the social pressure. And bookstagram is a very welcoming place.

Episode Introduction (0:32)

Rob Loveless

Hello, my LGBTQuties, and welcome back to another episode of A Jaded Gay. I'm Rob Loveless and today I am a jaded gay because I don't know what's going on but someone is trying to steal my identity, I believe.

So, two or three weeks ago, I got a phone call from a Miami, Florida number. And stupidly, I answered it. And it was somebody who claimed to be a Department of Homeland Security Agent and said that there was a package obtained at the border that was being sent to me that had like $100,000 worth of cocaine in it. Which like, barking up the wrong tree there. But it was this whole big thing. And I didn't know if it was real. They made it seem legit. They're like, here's my tag number, blah, blah, blah, this and that.

But then it started getting, like, kind of questionable. So, I didn't give any information away, luckily. And finally, I said, "You know, is this real? Because this seems like a scam?" He's like, "Do you want to see if it's real? I can send you disclosures to your email we have on file. And if you want to hang up, then we'll have somebody at your house in 15 minutes."

And I said, "Okay, yeah, send those to me via email" and hung up. And 15 minutes later, no one showed up. And now it's been like three weeks later, and still, no one has shown up. So that was one thing, whatever, just wrote it off as a weird scam thing.

Well, then, this week, I get a phone call from a local Philly area code. And they claimed to be somebody calling from my utility company. And they said that they were going to turn off my electric because I didn't pay a deposit for, they're apparently, they were going to be installing new digital interfaces for all our meters. And I never responded and never paid the deposit for that. So, the technicians are on the way, but because I hadn't paid for that they were going to be at my house in 15 minutes and turn off my electricity.

And me being the always calm homosexual that I am just responded, "And you're waiting to tell me 15 minutes before you're cutting off my electric? I never got any notice of this. I'm enrolled in auto pay blah, blah, blah." So, then he starts saying, "Oh, we know you're enrolled in auto pay but this isn't your bill. This is something separate. We sent out letters in the mail." Which to me was BS, because I check my mail every day, I read everything and got nothing.

And then he was saying that, you know, I can make the payment now, but I couldn't pay through their online site because it was down for maintenance, which again, was a lie because I had pulled up my account on the actual utility site while this call was going on. And then he starts telling me, "But you can pay by Zelle if you want." And that's obviously like alarm bells. Not, not going to do that. So, when he said Zelle I'm like, that's not gonna happen. And he said that, or you could go to Walmart and pay through there.

And he said he could walk me through it for $399.98 is what I owed, which, like, if you're gonna scam me go for a more legitimate amount like that is just a random amount there. Like, maybe round it up to a perfect, like 400 or 399. Like that. 98 cents kind of threw me. That and the Zelle thing, of course. So, then I asked him, I said, "Okay, and can I just confirm the street number this is this call is in reference to?" And I mean, he knew my address, which was a little alarming. I guess it's easy enough to get that, but I'm like what?

So, then I said, "You know what I'm going to call customer service. I'll talk to you later." And I hung up on him and I called customer service through their legitimate phone number. And they said that was not us. They pulled up their account. One, they made sure that I didn't give them any information or send anything which I did not, of course. But then um, then they pulled up my account, walked through it, showed that I didn't you know, owe anything, whatever.

But this idiot who called me used his actual phone number. So, I gave that number to the actual utility company, and they were going to report it, and they encouraged me to report it as well. So, then I had to call the police, file a report for all this and it was just like, seriously, like, give me a break. So, I don't know. Stranger than fiction, I guess, right?

Gay Bookstagram (4:17)

Rob Loveless

But don't worry, we are going to lighten it up today by talking about actual fiction, specifically gay fiction. That's right. We've talked in the past about the importance of LGBTQ+ representation in movies, TV, and also, it's important to see that in literature too. So today, I'm very excited to have a guest on to talk about gay bookstagram on Instagram, which is a whole community uniting gay writers, authors, readers, all that fun stuff, and the importance of that kind of community and representation.

But before we dive into it, let's pull our tarot card

Tarot (4:52)

Rob Loveless

So, today's card is the Nine of Wands and Wands is tied to the element of fire. It's representative of passion, creativity, and sometimes sexuality, and its masculine energy which is action-oriented. In numerology nine is the final number before we get to double digits, so it's signifying nearing completion of a chapter or cycle. And when we pull this card, it's reminding us of our persistence and self-reliance.

You know, we may be exhausted from challenges and struggles we've been working through. But the Nine of Wands is telling us to keep pushing forward because we've almost made it to our goal. So, it's really a reminder that even when times get tough, we have the strength to carry on and that our hopes and dreams are within reach.

And so, we really need to be mindful, look forward, and find ways to take that inspired action that will help us cross the finish line and complete that cycle that we're working towards.

Guest Introduction (5:40)

Rob Loveless

And with that in mind, I'd like to introduce today's guest. He is a dog dad and bookworm and read 138 books in 2023, which equals approximately 38,463 pages. Please welcome Rod Lujano. Hi, Rod.

Rod Lujano

Hi, how are you, Rob? 

Rob Loveless 

Good, thanks. How are you today?

Rod Lujano

I'm great. I'm not jaded.

Rob Loveless

Perfect. Perfect. You're beating me to the punch. I was going to ask you, are you a jaded or non-jaded gay today?

Rod Lujano

I'm not jaded. I was jaded. You know, you, you would have asked me yesterday, I would have told you that I was jaded because you know, work has been really stressful this week. But I'm relaxing on this Saturday, so I'm not jaded now. 

Rob Loveless

Good. Well, glad to hear that there's a non-jaded gay in our presence. I'm a bit of a jaded gay today so you'll balance me out there.

Rod Lujano

We're gonna balance each other out today.

Rob Loveless

Perfect. Perfect. Well, I'm very excited to have you on to talk to us about all things, you know, gay books, gay characters, gay bookstagram. But before we dive into that, can you tell the listeners a little bit about yourself? How you identify?

Rod Lujano

Yes. Hi, listeners. My name is Rod. I'm 33 years old. I live in Mexicali, Mexico, which is a little town across the border from California. I live here with my husband and my three fur babies and I identify as a gay man.

What is Gay Bookstagram? (6:54)

Rob Loveless

So, getting right into it then, can you tell us all what bookstagram is?

Rod Lujano

Yes, bookstagram is this, like, magical place in a little corner of bookstagram, Instagram, sorry, where you can find a lot of people sharing their insights on books through pictures. They share recommendations of books and you know, you can, you get to meet awesome authors sometimes like the one I'm actually talking to right now, you know, acclaimed author, Rob Loveless.

Becoming a Bookstagrammer (7:24)

Rob Loveless

Aw, you're too kind. Well, tell us how you first discovered bookstagram and how that led to becoming a bookstagrammer.

Rod Lujano

Well, I was reading this hockey romance book I was loving and you know, there were hints of other books. Other books involving different couples now, you know, when and then books. Sometimes there's hints here and there of another couple coming up in anything.

Well, I didn't know much about that, right? I didn't have any, I didn't have, like, Goodreads or any apps for tracking books where I could, like, look for the other books.

So, at the end of, the of the book, there was the Instagram handle of the author. And I went to Instagram and looked for her. And yeah, you know, there were four more books already released within the same universe. So, I started scrolling down and I kept scrolling down. And you know, I went into this rabbit hole of discovering that people were sharing their preferences about books, you know sharing pictures and all those cute stuff.

And so slowly, but steady, my algorithm started to change from shirtless guys to book content. And then I was like, I can do this. I can, I can do this too. I can take pictures and share my thoughts.

It took a little while actually because, you know, I didn't create a second account for my book-related stuff. I feel, if we have just one account, what I share, you know, my personal stuff, my dogs, and my husband mostly but that's how it started. You know, I discovered this little universe within the Instagram world.

A Day in the Life of a Gay Bookstagrammer (9:19)

Rob Loveless

So, walk us through a day in the life of the gay bookstagrammer.

Rod Lujano

Well, I wake up, I brush my teeth, take a shower... nah, nah I'm kidding. But my day-to-day life, I go to my regular job. And I'm an engineer in case you didn't know that. So, I have like seven to five Monday through Friday work job. So, I do that, I read as much as I can all the time. But aside from that, you know, I don't really, like, plan much ahead of what I'm going to post. You know, I usually know that I want to do, like, a big recommendation post on Mondays. And, you know, I try to share one or two reviews throughout the week in some interesting stories from other people really reading books because I want to like, you know, build on my community. But I don't really have like, an established schedule to, to posts and things, you know. I was telling my husband the other day, if I have to open up an Excel spreadsheet to do, like, this bookstagram thing, then I'm having another job and I already have one.

Rob Loveless

Well, I mean, I know you said you have busy days, but I think you still put a lot of us to shame with how much you're able to read. Because you read what 138 books in 2023?

Rod Lujano

Exactly, I read 138.

Rob Loveless

That's awesome.

Rod Lujano

I do read a lot but I don't, like, watch a lot of TV or watch a lot of movies. So pretty much, like, being with my dogs and my husband, and then reading is most of my days, and sometimes go to the gym.

Choosing Books to Feature (11:01)

Rob Loveless

That's awesome. So, you were talking a little bit about, you know, you usually do some recommendation posts throughout the week. How do you choose which books to feature? Like, which books stand out the most to you? How do you choose which ones are going to post on your Instagram account?

Rod Lujano

Well, I try to feature all the books that I read in some capacity, you know. I do stories, so what books I get in the mail, I do a monthly read and wrap-up that involves, includes all the books that I read, even if I didn't like them. But when it comes to reviews, I try to do books that I really love and that I'm excited for other people to read.

Rob Loveless

With all that being said, what do you love about gay bookstagram?

Rod Lujano

I love the books and outdoors. Most of what I've read this past couple of years, it has been recommended to me on Instagram. I also very much love the community, community that we're building, you know. I love to talk to people all over the world, I love books. I love to watch people interact with each other and making new friends, like you.

The Importance of LGBTQ+ Representation in Literature (12:01)

Rob Loveless

Yeah, I was, I gotta say, when I started, I was kind of late to the game with bookstagram and gay bookstagram, but there are entire communities out there, and the bookstagrammers I follow, they're all shouting each other out. So, it really does feel like a sense of community. Kind of shifting gears from just, you know, bookstagram to more gay bookstagram and LGBTQ+ focused literature, why do you think having gay representation in literature is so important?

Rod Lujano

It is very important, because, you know, we all have the right to see ourselves represented in the media, you know. You can call it books or TV or movies. Like, we all have the rights to see each other to see ourselves out there. It gives us a sense of not being alone, I think. You know, a sense of community. You get to think, you know, there's more people like me out there, right? People who think like me, or, or like the same things that I do. And also, it's true to the world, queer people are everywhere, and it's only appropriate that books and everywhere mirrors that.

Rob Loveless

And how would you say your identity as a gay man influences your reading preferences?

Rod Lujano

Like I said, I want to see myself represented in that. So, I think you know, so but I mostly read male/male romances, you know, even though that I might not look like you know, the main characters on those books. I think our backgrounds could be similar, our train of thoughts can be alike, and we share some of the same struggles. That's why I always look for male/male romance

Rob Loveless

Within the male/male romance sphere, are there specific subgenres that you really are drawn to?

Rod Lujano

Well, romance is mostly what I read, you know. We have what we call what we call tropes, different tropes. Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes that are out there. You know, enemies lovers is always sad; I wouldn't want you. I was watching this movie, Anyone But You, I think it's called The States with Sydney Sweeney. And it kind of embodies everything that the books that I read are. I was telling my husband because we went to the movies and watched it last weekend. And I was like, "This is why I read pretty much every day. But no, this is, this is actually one of my books." You know, if you love it so much, you can pick up one of the ones that I have in the bookshelf and start reading it too.

“A Very Welcoming Place” (14:18)

Rob Loveless

I know you talked about how, through bookstagram, you've been able to, you know, find new authors, find other people in the community, and connect with others from all over the world. So why do you think spaces like gay bookstagram are so important for readers out there?

Rod Lujano

I'm thinking it gives everyone a voice. Bookstagram and books out there or what you want to call it. It gives everyone a voice, you know. It's really important. It's, I'm a very outgoing person. In my real life, you know, I don't have like any difficult time talking to people or speaking my mind. But that's not what everyone is like. Bookstagram and other platforms give that, you know, it gives them their chance to raise their voices to interact with others without the social pressure and bookstagram is a very welcoming place. So, I think it's really important for everyone out there.

Diversity in LGBTQ+ Literature (15:08)

Rob Loveless

And how does gay bookstagram contribute to fostering diversity and inclusivity in literature?

Rod Lujano

I think bookstagram and books are having a major impact on what's being published right now. There's a market for queer books that no one paid attention to before Instagram and TikTok. And I think it's really thanks to this platform. So, it's changing the way publishers are looking and picking up books.

Rob Loveless

Definitely and you kind of already...it was a good transition into the next question, too. I was going to ask, have you noticed any changes in the publishing industry regarding LGBTQ+ representation over time?

Rod Lujano

I have. Absolutely. Not only on bookstagram, but if you go to your local bookstore, more and more shelf space is dedicated to queer romances and queer books. I remember a few years back; I had been reading for a while now. I remember a few years back, my local bookstore only had Red, White, and Royal Blue. Now, it's Heartstopper everywhere. There's a lot of books out there, more available for queer people.

Rob Loveless

Are there particular themes or genres that you feel are underrepresented within LGBTQ+ literature?

Rod Lujano

Yes, I feel like we need more sapphic books out there. You know, more trans main characters on books as well. You know, I would also love to see more diverse bodies being featured. I feel like we're on the right path of what we are being given as representation when it comes to diverse bodies. But I think the majority of books are still about white guys with abs. Not that there's anything wrong with that, you know. If you have abs, good for you.

Rob Loveless

We've talked about that in several episodes with, you know, TV and film representation that for so long, there was kind of this 90s archetype of like the white, muscular, masculine, straight-passing, quote, unquote, gay man, that was hyper-sexualized. And we've come a ways from it, but still seems that that's like kind of the standard. So, it's interesting that it's not only within media representation but also within literary representation. It seemed to fall to that. So, it's, it's good that we're, like you said, moving in the right direction with trying to feature some more diverse stories and having more diversity within the LGBTQ+ community there, but it sounds like there's still more work to be done.

Rod Lujano

Yeah, there's always work to be done. And yeah, you know, we're moving into the right direction. But a lot of work needs to be done.

Book Bans & Don’t Say Gay Bills (17:43)

Rob Loveless

Well, gonna get a little dark here. But we are living in a time where books are being banned as a result of Don't Say Gay bills across several states in the United States. Florida was most infamously known for it, I think, in 2022. So, what are your thoughts on that?

Rod Lujano

It's just crazy to me that some people will be scared of queer issues being talked out loud, and they had to make a bill, instead of, they had to make a bill to prevent those issues being talked about, you know. I think instead of protecting children, they're taking away the right to be to get the information they need in those really important formative years.

Rob Loveless

And I think there's a misconception that some people have that, in states like Florida with Don't Say Gay, I think people who are anti-LGBTQ+ are thinking that children are getting information on you know, like, I don't know, maybe more sexually explicit things when really it's just as simple as there's children's books that feature two princes or two princesses or something like that, which is very innocent, basic representation, but still showing children there's more than just the prince and princess. So, it's really you know, I think it's scary because it's all you know, it's very politicized and people are forgetting that there are children impacted by this and that there are children listening and hearing this so it is quite scary. And with that being said have the book bans had any impact on you personally or professionally as a gay bookstagrammer?

Rod Lujano

They haven't personally or professionally because you know, here in Mexico, we don't have the Don't Say Gay bill or book bans as of right now. But I do know many people in the U.S. who have been affected you know. My best friend Scott who I met through bookstagram. He's a librarian, and it's sad to hear him talk about books and libraries being banned. And he tells us it's sad to go to your local bookstore and see a section of banned books, you know. It's just not right.

Rob Loveless

It feels very Handmaid's Tale.

Rod Lujano

Yeah.

Rob Loveless

Which is scary to be thinking about. But kind of to put it on a more empowering uplifting note, are there any actions we can take as members of the LGBTQ+ community to push back against these book bans?

Rod Lujano

Yes. We can talk about those queer books. I think talking about them is the thing that's in our hands to do right now. We can share the content that the authors are putting out there, you know, support LGBTQ+ characters and those books. Support the indie authors that is just releasing his or her new book. And spread the word of the amazing, book you just read and get them for someone else to read them too. And go to a library and request queer books through there to get them out there for people to just see that it's a normal thing.

Rod’s Favorite Authors & Books (20:37)

Rob Loveless

And I think it's like you said, it's amazing how something so simple can be so powerful, like just simply taking a picture of a book you love by a queer author and posting it on Instagram or seeing you know, a gay bookstagrammer share a book and liking it. Just whatever it is, something, that small action can still really create a ripple effect and let others see it and hopefully get the word out to support those authors as well. So that being said, who are some of your favorite LGBTQ+ authors?

Rod Lujano

I have so many M.A. Wardell is one of them. AJ Truman, Max Walker, Sarah Bower, JD Klum, Alexis Hall is one of them. Just released the book so amazing. Brian Kennedy, Riley Horace, and Rob Loveless.

Rob Loveless

Well, thank you, I appreciate that. But that's a really great list. I'll have to look some of those up. Because really, until the past two years, I haven't really gotten too much into LGBTQ+ literature myself. So, I've really been trying to find some more you know, gay fiction, ranging from fun to romantic to more serious. So definitely some good author names to look up there. And then for our listeners, what are your top LGBTQ+ book recommendations?

Rod Lujano

I think The Teacher of the Year and Mistletoe and Mishigas by M.A. Wardell and The Falcon and the Foe by AJ Truman. Those guys are both gay men writing queer romantic comedies, and they are at the top of their game right now. When it comes to M/M content.

Rob Loveless

I'll have to add those to my must-read list. It's quickly stacking up; I have like five other books I'm trying to get through. But I definitely have to add those ones.

Rod Lujano

You have to tell me if you like them.

Rob Loveless

Definitely. And I think that's like a perpetual struggle. Like, you always see books that sound good and you want to buy them, but then the next thing you know you have a bookshelf filled with books you haven't started yet. And then there's still new ones you want to buy.

Rod Lujano

I have a cart full of books that I haven't read yet. I don't know if you can see on the camera, but it's like, it's like 50 books I have there that I haven't read that are on my list to read this year, but new books keep coming out. So, I don't know if I can get to all of them this year.

Rob Loveless

Well, I think you have a better shot than me because like I said, you read 138 last year. I think I read 20 tops.

Rod Lujano

Any book you read is a good number.

Rod’s Future LGBTQ+ Representation Wishlist (22:54)  

Rob Loveless

Definitely, definitely. And I know you talked about some themes that are underrepresented within LGBTQ+ literature. So, kind of taking another spin on that question, what would you like to see in the future regarding representation of LGBTQ+ characters and stories in literature?

Rod Lujano

Well, one of the issues, like I mentioned before, last time I said representing in every aspect of the work. Not just because of my sexual orientation, but I like the trend that young adult books are having when coming out is not part of the storyline. Those guys are just there. The storyline is different. They're just out and proud. And I like to see more supporting queer characters. Usually when male and male romances is those two guys leading this queer bubble and all of the people around them are straight. So, I'd like to see more supporting queer characters too.

Rob Loveless

And do you have I guess if we have any listeners who are writers who are looking for their next book to write, do you have like a dream storyline, you'd love somebody to write out there?

Rod Lujano

I do have one. But I don't want to spoil that. I might be trying my hand on writing this year. So, I don't want to give away my storyline.

Rob Loveless

No, definitely don't give that away. But I'm very excited. I'm sure it'll be great. So, when you get that finished and published, let me know because I definitely want to read it.

Rod Lujano

Yeah, I mean, so I'm really excited. You know, I started like, like writing it two years ago. And, you know, my job is pretty demanding. So, I, I haven't had the time to, like, sit down and do it. But I think this year I'm making time for it.

Rob Loveless

It can be a struggle to find the time. So, I just tried to find like, if I can just write paragraph by paragraph, sometimes writing the one paragraph, like, inspires the idea for the next paragraph. And then the next thing I know I have a page. But I try to just do like a page a day or a page a week. So, I figure even if I only write one page a week, every week for the year, it's still like 50-some pages, you know?

Rod Lujano

Yeah, and your book is really long.

Rob Loveless

Oh, yeah, that one that one took a little while. I also wrote like half of that during the pandemic, so I had the time to do it.

Rod Lujano

I wasn't reading during the pandemic and I kind of regret it. You know, I started reading more and more after we came from quarantine.

Rod’s 2024 Read List (25:13)

Rob Loveless

Well, what is as we're kind of getting towards the end here, what is on your immediate read list for your books? Is there anything that's jumping to the top of the line that you're highly anticipating to read this year?

Rod Lujano

Oh, yes, I'm. Oh, I don't know. I'm trying to read more mystery, more thrillers. That's, that's my main goal for now, you know. I had a really great time reading your book last year and some other thrillers and murder mysteries last year. And I want to diversify myself, you know, start reaching some other books. I don't know if any is specifically on one. But that's my main goal.

Rob Loveless

I'm a sucker for thrillers and mysteries. Unfortunately, I haven't really read any queer ones lately. They've all been kind of straight, which they're still good, but it's always nice when you can find that added layer of representation into the genre you love.

Rod Lujano

Yeah, I read, last year I read. I don't remember but Brian Dearborn was the author. And it was a kind of slasher theme. It had a few queer characters. I really enjoyed it. Whisper; it's called Whisper.

Get Involved with Gay Bookstagram (26:26)

Rob Loveless

Okay, sounds good. We'll need to, like, have an official read list to add to this episode description. So, all the listeners know which books they should be adding to their bookshelf. Well, as we're kind of getting towards the end here, can you tell our listeners how they can get involved in gay bookstagram?

Rod Lujano

You can follow me, obviously. Nah, I'm kidding. You can go ahead and share your book content on Instagram. So, if you have like a book that you want people to see, you can just take a picture and see how it goes. You can like and share what other people are posting about the authors and in other books around person, engage in conversation. We're a very friendly community.

Episode Closing (27:04)

Rob Loveless

And connecting it back to the tarot Nine of Wands. It's telling us that we've been working through some challenges. And while we might be tired or exhausted from that, we're so close to achieving our goal. So, putting it in the context of LGBTQ+ literature, I think it's showing that yeah, the past couple years, I mean, even longer than that, but really, since 2022, it's ramped up that we've been dealing with these Don't Say Gay bills in states like Florida and elsewhere throughout the United States.

And it's alarming, and it's scary. And so many of us are exhausted, of trying to have to speak up just to be recognized. And while it's frustrating, and while it's exhausting, and while it can be scary, we need to keep putting in that work. We need to keep standing up for ourselves, for our community, for LGBTQ+ books to show that you know, we have the right to be represented, we have the right to be here. And we are going to continue being here. And again, while it's exhausting, while it's tough work to do, the goal is in sight. We can be seen, we can be heard, we can be recognized.

And we don't have to do this alone. We have our community we have our fellow LGBTQ+ community, we have our LGBTQ+ authors, our LGBTQ+ characters, and the welcoming and supportive community of gay bookstagram. And yes, Rod said it, and I 100% recommend it, go follow Rod. He has the most amazing book recommendations, he can get you connected to a great community of books, gay bookstagrammers out there. So, 100% recommend, go follow.

Connect with Rod (28:26)

Rob Loveless

And then Rod, can you tell our listeners, besides Instagram, how they can connect with you, where they can find you, all the things?

Rod Lujano

So, they can find me on Facebook, they can find me on Goodreads. And that's it, I think. I'm on Threads too. like I still don't know how it works, but I'm there too.

Rob Loveless

You're a brave man because I'm in communications and I should know how to do that, but when Threads came out, I'm like I'm too old. I have no time to try to figure out a new social media platform.

Rod Lujano

That's what I think about TikTok. I don't have TikTok because I feel like that's young people's business.

Rob Loveless

I'm, I'm still very lost in the world of TikTok. I don't really know what I'm doing on there.

Rod Lujano

Maybe this year is our year. Maybe this year will be, will be our year to be more adventurous with our social media.

Rob Loveless

Definitely, definitely, and 'cause I know on TikTok there's like BookTok is a big thing on there, but I just, I don't even know how to do that.

Rod Lujano

Yeah, so my niece is always saying to me, like, you should read the book because I saw it on BookTok. I don't think that I'm gonna do it right now. Thanks for the recommendation. You know, I take note of the book she's recommending, but I don't think I'm getting near that just yet.

Rob Loveless

It's I don't know. It seems something...it's one thing to do a picture. I feel like videos where it's like, even tougher. It's like all right, I have to talk, I have to do this, I have to do that.

Rod Lujano

Yes, me too. That's what I feel. Exactly. That's all my exact thoughts.

Rob Loveless

Well, he's on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads for right now. But if he ever makes a venture into BookTok on TikTok, definitely follow him there. And we'll include the link to all of Rod's profiles in the episode description. But Rod, thank you so much for joining. This was super informative. Bookstagram and gay bookstagram are just such a welcoming community. I was so glad to connect with you on there and I love all the book recommendations you're giving. So, thank you so much for joining and sharing this with the listeners.

Rod Lujano

No, thank you so much for inviting me. I love the podcast. I'm a big fan actually. And I'm a big fan of yours.

Rob Loveless

Oh, well, thank you. The feeling's mutual. I'm a big fan of yours too. And it was a little bit of, like, starstruck a little bit because I see you obviously on Instagram and your pictures, but then when it's like, you know, face-to-face videoing and talking, I'm like, "Oh my gosh, I know him."

Rod Lujano

Yeah, that's what I feel like every time that I listen to your podcast actually. Like, sometimes I talk to Rob and we're friends. You know, he's talking to amazing people on this podcast and sharing amazing information for all the LGBTQuties out there.

Rob Loveless

Well, I mean, it goes to show the power of gay bookstagram, right? We made this connection in the fall and here we are on a podcast episode together. So, everyone listening, follow Rod, get involved with bookstagram. You won't regret it.

Connect with A Jaded Gay (31:02)

Rob Loveless

And you know the drill. You can send me any questions rob@ajadedgay.com. Please feel free to give me feedback on the episode. Also check out the website ajadedgay.com, for more information on guests, resources, links to our merch, all that fun stuff.

You can connect with the podcasts on Instagram, TikTok, SoundCloud, and YouTube @ajadedgaypod. You can follow me, Rob Loveless, on Instagram @rob_loveless. Also, consider supporting the podcast on Patreon @ajadedgaypod for as little as $1 a month. Or if you want to do a one-time donation, you can do that on Buy Me a Coffee @ajadedgaypod.

And remember, every day is all we have, so you got to make your own happiness.

Mmm-bye.