Works by
Chad Sosna
(Writer)

Doo-Lang Love (2006) -- Nominated 2006 Lambda Literary Gay Men's Debut Fiction Awards
Rex Muncey, 23, hitchhikes away from life in East St. Louis, Missouri, only to end up in Chicago working for and living with record shop owner Wayne Simmons. Rex thinks it's all random, till he realizes he's thrown himself into the possibility of achieving his two big goals in life--finding what he wants to do when he grows up and landing Mr. Right.

Wayne has a much less practical goal. At age 40, and somewhat overweight, he aspires to be a pop star. With two buddies, he heads a local gay novelty group, The Girlettes. They're no Ronettes, and don't make a dollar, but nonetheless Rex has fun as their self-appointed manager.

Rex meets David Sender, 37, a vice president of talent at A&R Records in L.A., when he tries to hustle him. David won't buy but asks Rex on a date. Intimidated, Rex bumbles through the emotional side of a relationship with a man he truly loves but who is his total opposite. As for the physical, they're burningly compatible; Rex likes older men and David has the sex drive of a 23-year-old.

As Rex begins to bounce back and forth from his easy life in Chicago and visiting David's high-powered circle in L.A., pressures build. Wayne expects Rex to mastermind his fame, using David and A&R Records. David thinks Wayne is crazy and fat, and that the Girlettes will go nowhere.

Rex's only real friend in L.A. is LaCharles, David's housekeeper. LaCharles turns out to have a God-given voice of gold. Rex shows his David-like stuff by firing the Girlettes' alcoholic member and putting LaCharles in the lead. Things happen fast--Chicago notoriety, paying gigs, and a local CD of an original song, "Beverly Stole Johnny and I Cried All Night."

Rex uses David's connections to get the Girlettes a modest but promising record deal with a competing company. The Girlettes' "big break" means only heartbreak--and a possible nervous breakdown--for Rex. He realizes he can't make everyone happy, especially always-at-odds Wayne and David. His only choice is to take the path that will make himself happy.