'This Place of Men Trilogy': Three novels, one dramatic story of love, family, sexuality and religion
A gay man returns home to confront the minister and the ex-lover who destroyed his life. (This Place of Men. Book 1 in series)
A married man comes to terms with his sexuality, forcing him to come out of the closet. (People Like Us. Book 2 in series)
A gay father fights to save the son he never knew from a life in the streets and the darkness that haunts him. However, the father has his own demons and finds he must save his own life as well. (Leaving Gomorrah, Book 3 in series) CLICK TO READ EXCERPTS OF THIS, AND ALL OF MY BOOKS
(Ad Photo Design by Cooper Spencer Images)
“An amazing piece of work. Doug Cooper-Spencer has a natural gift as a storyteller.” (Keith Boykin, Former White House Advisor, Clinton Administration; Author; Journalist; Commentator, CNN and CNBC)
“One of the best books I have ever read about being a black, gay man.” (Demetrius Bady, writer, director for TV series ‘Moesha’; former writer for TV series ‘Single Ladies’)
“This book is so beautifully written. So mesmerizing, enchanting. ‘People Like Us’ is my favorite in the trilogy.” (Mc Makhalima, South Africa)
“I started reading ‘This Place of Men’ and I already know I want to read the whole trilogy. You had me at the first page. Greetings from Bremen!” (Patricia Schultz, Bremen, Germany)
“I finished reading the entire ‘This Place of Men Trilogy’, and must say I was sad to come to the end because of the world I had come to share with the many wonderful characters. I didn’t want to leave them behind. BRAVO for the This Place of Men Trilogy!” (Yvonne T.)
A married man comes to terms with his sexuality, forcing him to come out of the closet. (People Like Us. Book 2 in series)
A gay father fights to save the son he never knew from a life in the streets and the darkness that haunts him. However, the father has his own demons and finds he must save his own life as well. (Leaving Gomorrah, Book 3 in series) CLICK TO READ EXCERPTS OF THIS, AND ALL OF MY BOOKS
(Ad Photo Design by Cooper Spencer Images)
“An amazing piece of work. Doug Cooper-Spencer has a natural gift as a storyteller.” (Keith Boykin, Former White House Advisor, Clinton Administration; Author; Journalist; Commentator, CNN and CNBC)
“One of the best books I have ever read about being a black, gay man.” (Demetrius Bady, writer, director for TV series ‘Moesha’; former writer for TV series ‘Single Ladies’)
“This book is so beautifully written. So mesmerizing, enchanting. ‘People Like Us’ is my favorite in the trilogy.” (Mc Makhalima, South Africa)
“I started reading ‘This Place of Men’ and I already know I want to read the whole trilogy. You had me at the first page. Greetings from Bremen!” (Patricia Schultz, Bremen, Germany)
“I finished reading the entire ‘This Place of Men Trilogy’, and must say I was sad to come to the end because of the world I had come to share with the many wonderful characters. I didn’t want to leave them behind. BRAVO for the This Place of Men Trilogy!” (Yvonne T.)
'A Letter to a Friend: Thoughts on Living As a Gay Man'. Now in E-Book! Pocket-book size print coming soon! 'A Letter to a Friend'
A Letter to a Friend’ was written in 1999 by Doug Cooper to his then boyfriend, Gregory Spencer, a year into their relationship. It was during a time when Gregory, having just come out to his family, was being pressured by some family members to ‘reconsider’ his decision to live as a gay man.
What began as a personal letter to Gregory eventually became a manifesto against homophobia and a declaration of liberation from homophobia. Giving thought to homophobic tropes and devices such as the idea of God’s condemnation of homosexuality, and the view that declares homosexuality as unnatural, ‘A Letter to a Friend’ challenges those worn ways of thinking with fresh ideas.
‘A Letter to a Friend’ offers words and thoughts for anyone who wants to break the bonds of homophobia, be they same-gender loving, or those who simply are brave enough to take a fresh look at old ideas. ‘A Letter to a Friend’ implores all of us to take another look at ways of thinking that have held many captive to oppression and bigotry and to move to a spirit that seeks to realize a self-actualized spirit anchored in love.
Doug and Gregory Cooper-Spencer have now been together for fourteen years since they first met in 1998. CLICK TO READ EXCERPTS OF THIS, AND ALL OF MY BOOKS (Photo and cover Design by Gregory Cooper Spencer)
“Powerful!” (Kenneth)
“This is one of the most amazing letters I have ever read. It is so wonderfully put. Reading this has changed me today... to being more hopeful of tomorrow... less hurt about people's views of my life, ... and more connected to God's love. That is due to everyone. Thank you for sharing this!!” (Bridget)
“… this is FIRE.....LOVE it...” (T. Hayes)
“Doug, I used ‘A Letter to a Friend’ in a class I facilitate for young guys struggling with their sexual identity.” (R. Scott)
“Insightful, helpful, thought provoking and so very worth reading… more than once. As I was reading it I did realize that this is definitely for gay and non-gay people as confusion is truly nondiscriminatory!
1 ♥” (Shari-Lynn)
“...simply amazing. Speechless. I wish someone would have had this dialog with me many years ago when I was so confused and conflicted. I love this, Doug Cooper- Spencer!” (Daryl)
“Truly inspirational.” (Brian)
What began as a personal letter to Gregory eventually became a manifesto against homophobia and a declaration of liberation from homophobia. Giving thought to homophobic tropes and devices such as the idea of God’s condemnation of homosexuality, and the view that declares homosexuality as unnatural, ‘A Letter to a Friend’ challenges those worn ways of thinking with fresh ideas.
‘A Letter to a Friend’ offers words and thoughts for anyone who wants to break the bonds of homophobia, be they same-gender loving, or those who simply are brave enough to take a fresh look at old ideas. ‘A Letter to a Friend’ implores all of us to take another look at ways of thinking that have held many captive to oppression and bigotry and to move to a spirit that seeks to realize a self-actualized spirit anchored in love.
Doug and Gregory Cooper-Spencer have now been together for fourteen years since they first met in 1998. CLICK TO READ EXCERPTS OF THIS, AND ALL OF MY BOOKS (Photo and cover Design by Gregory Cooper Spencer)
“Powerful!” (Kenneth)
“This is one of the most amazing letters I have ever read. It is so wonderfully put. Reading this has changed me today... to being more hopeful of tomorrow... less hurt about people's views of my life, ... and more connected to God's love. That is due to everyone. Thank you for sharing this!!” (Bridget)
“… this is FIRE.....LOVE it...” (T. Hayes)
“Doug, I used ‘A Letter to a Friend’ in a class I facilitate for young guys struggling with their sexual identity.” (R. Scott)
“Insightful, helpful, thought provoking and so very worth reading… more than once. As I was reading it I did realize that this is definitely for gay and non-gay people as confusion is truly nondiscriminatory!
1 ♥” (Shari-Lynn)
“...simply amazing. Speechless. I wish someone would have had this dialog with me many years ago when I was so confused and conflicted. I love this, Doug Cooper- Spencer!” (Daryl)
“Truly inspirational.” (Brian)
Available on: Amazon.Com Amazon Kindle
Short stories at this site : 'A QUESTION OF COMMITMENT' AND 'The Wounded Gardener'
A long-term couple encounters a tragedy that changes them forever. 'A QUESTION OF COMMITMENT' asks the question: 'WHAT HAPPENS TO LOVE WHEN LIFE GOES WRONG?' (SHORT STORY) CLICK TO READ
(Photo and cover Design by Gregory Cooper Spencer)
A young black gay man in a small town struggles to hold onto his sanity and his self-respect while seeking to find life from the desolation around him. (SHORT STORY) CLICK TO READ
(Photo and cover Design by Gregory Cooper Spencer)
MEMOIRS AT THIS SITE: 'THE VISITATION (1964)' AND 'THE SUMMER OF '63
The summer of 1963 occurred during a year that the Civil Rights Movement reached its apex with The March on Washington. For me, though, something else happened that summer, something more intimate. It was the year I developed my first crush. I was nine years old and the object of my crush was an unsuspecting 'thirty-something' year old man. (Click here to read the story at the ‘Memory Pieces’ page at this site)
(Photo and cover Design by Gregory Cooper Spencer)
What was thought to be a dream that occurred in 1964 turns out to be much more. 'The Visitation' is a true account of a spiritual awakening. (Click here to read the story at the ‘Memory Pieces’ page at this site) (Photo and cover Design by Gregory Cooper Spencer)
Essays, Interviews and Daily Thoughts
For essays and interviews CLICK HERE to go to my blog, Doug Cooper Spencer, The View From Here, OR You can keep join me on FACEBOOK and TWITTER for daily conversations and thoughts. (Photo by Gregory Cooper Spencer)
Mighty Real: An Anthology of African-American Same Gender Loving Writing
(I had the great honor of being asked to be a part of this collection)
At over 700 pages, 'Mighty Real' is a collection of African-American Same Gender Loving Literature featuring both new and established writers. Grounded in a poignant and truthful sensibility, imbued with the realities of sex and love, Smith and Williams present a culmination of poems, short stories, radical essays, sermons, plays and interviews honoring notable figures within the SGLBT community. Available at Amazon.Com
At over 700 pages, 'Mighty Real' is a collection of African-American Same Gender Loving Literature featuring both new and established writers. Grounded in a poignant and truthful sensibility, imbued with the realities of sex and love, Smith and Williams present a culmination of poems, short stories, radical essays, sermons, plays and interviews honoring notable figures within the SGLBT community. Available at Amazon.Com
