top of page
Search

QUEER AUTHOR MILES WHITNEY LAUNCHES DEBUT NOVEL "MIDLIFE MUSICAL" CELEBRATING SECOND CHANCES AND AUTHENTICITY THIS PRIDE MONTH

  • Jun 15
  • 2 min read

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



South Lake Tahoe, CA - Bootstrap Publications, in our ongoing mission to publish impactful and meaningful works, is proud to announce the release of Midlife Musical by Miles Whitney. This contemporary literary novel brings an insightful perspective as a queer debut novelist and contemporary storyteller to the forefront, offering readers a powerful exploration of forgotten dreams, personal awakening, second chances, and the profound journey of finding one's authentic voice.


Midlife Musical provides an inspiring, emotionally resonant look at the power of creative reclamation, showing that it is never too late to find the voice we thought we left behind. Drawing on Miles Whitney’s unique insights and lived experiences as a queer creator, Miles presents a triumphant narrative that offers hope and validation to anyone navigating the quiet crises of lost passions and buried family truths.


Key Highlights of Midlife Musical:

  • A poignant exploration of the psychological struggle between comfortable suburban routine and the fierce, undeniable call of creative self-expression.

  • A rich, melody-driven exploration of the raw vulnerability of songwriting, the rediscovery of childhood passion, and the hard-won courage it takes to share your art with the world.

  • A raw, honest look at how bringing long-buried secrets into the open can mend fracturing marital and parental connections.


Midlife Musical introduces readers to Karla, a suburban real estate agent living a quiet double life as a late-night songwriter, providing a compelling narrative that empowers readers to step out of their comfortable routines, face their fears, and reclaim their own forgotten passions.


Beyond his debut novel, Miles Whitney has built a prolific literary presence with an extensive catalog of published essays and creative works. Most notably, he was named the first-place winner of the prestigious 2025 New Feathers Award for his profound nonfiction piece, "Artifact of Death, Artifact of Life," published on July 21, 2025, in the New Feathers Anthology.


About Miles Whitney: Miles Whitney is a queer, trans, Jewish attorney based in Sacramento, California. As a research attorney for the trial court, Miles channels his passion for justice into both his legal work and his creative writing. After the unexpected loss of his daughter, Isabel, in 2022, Miles began writing nonfiction essays and fiction that explore themes of grief, identity, and resilience.


​Miles’ work has been featured in a variety of publications, including Freedom Fiction Journal, Homo Works, and Discretionary Love. Outside of writing and law, Miles enjoys reading Torah and training dogs, weaving together his love for storytelling, faith, and community.


Connect with Miles Whitney:

For more information on Midlife Musical or to schedule an interview with Miles Whitney, please contact: info@chibur.info


Industry(s): Book Publishing, Creative Writing, LGBTQ+ Media, Arts & Entertainment


Codes, Creative History, and a Courageous Little Girl: William D. Sandwich on There’s No Such Thing as Dragons

  • May 9
  • 4 min read

The audiobook version of There's No Such Thing as Dragons is now live. But what transpired during its initial processes? Before the book became an audiobook. Before the words were published on a page. Before we were introduced to our courageous protagonist, Alex.



It was an immense switch, a brave leap of faith, balancing two boats: one boat rowing from a decade of software development, and another toward pursuing a creative passion. Bootstrap Publications author William D. Sandwich shares his insights, struggles, and victories from his debut novel, There’s No Such Thing as Dragons.


When asked about the reality and history of his creative process, William was able to encapsulate these in a metaphorical manner, “it’s like an architecture.”


William spent decades developing software, rooted in systems built on logic, structure, and precision. It was a huge shift having to work in a rigid, technical, structured field, then describing an adventure, a fictional world, where a young girl takes the lead. When asked whether writing the book felt like an extension of his programming mindset, this is what he had to say:

“A lot of the analytical side of programming comes through when building my set pieces. The battle at the bridge scene, at the end, was built as I actually described in the book: What are my assets? Now let’s go make a plan (Alexandria says a similar thing in the story). I do that all the time when writing. “What pieces do I have lying around, then how can I use them - it’s like an architecture, be it software or story. “Another thing: I find that when writing code, you add lines to get it right. In writing stories, you remove lines.”

There are writers who seem to have been more comfortable with living a life that is exactly in tune with their writing career. But William was a unique force, having to juggle between writing codes and anecdotes, from designing softwares to describing fictional characters. Perhaps it is indeed some sort of architecture: technical, but grand. Rooted in structure, but still a product of a creative mind.


The book was supposed to be a game. But instead of it being played by many, what made him pursue it as a written masterpiece instead? Here’s what William said about its history.

“It never would have been my game. It was an employer canvassing suggestions that got me writing the beginning of a game. Once he sold his company, I was freed but didn’t have the resources to build such a game, so I just kept writing. “Somehow, and this was over ten years ago, I found myself watching book reviews on YouTube even though I rarely read books anymore. So I had the start of a story and decided to just keep writing to see what I could do.” He said, “See what I could do.”

His protagonist, Alexandria, was a heroine of courage. Perhaps it was a direct extension of the courage William has.

William’s book is deeply rooted in themes of unexpected strength and bravery. When asked about how such themes emerged during his process, and whether any part of Alex’s journey mirrored his own as a first-time novelist, he said he was going for a reality-based story.

“I’m really bad at introspection but I’ll say I did want to convey in Alexandria, and the whole story, a no-nonsense, reality-based story. This comes through (I’m hoping) in Alex’s belief in dragons and fairies, and where that gets her.” Plus, a little sneak peak into his work, “Her brother is kind of mean to her, but, spoiler alert, sometimes the a-holes are right. Alex will have more time to reflect on things in book 2.”

Lastly, William was an established force in his field, a creator used to building things people use. As a debut novelist, he does hope readers can “interact” with his book, he said he just wishes to make “There’s No Such Thing as Dragons” a page-turner, one where people can be hooked enough to keep wanting to know what’s going to happen next.

He envisions a book where readers can interact with it imaginatively.

Codes. Programming. Technicalities, then there came a courageous little girl. Some writers can do it all, William is a testament to it. He builds programs and medieval worlds, creates high-demand softwares, and one fictional heroine.

It shows that in the middle of it all, sometimes, our hearts hold on to timeless imaginative pieces we built in our heads. We care for it, nurture it, and protect it from life’s toughest days.

Soon, when the right time comes, we get to write it out and share it with the world.




There’s No Such Thing as Dragons Audiobook out now!

Written by William D. Sandwich

Narrated by Tim Dalgleish


PROMO ALERT!

Listen to it. Love it (we hope). Review it. 💬


We’re offering Audible promo codes in exchange for your honest review—because indie audiobooks grow through real listener voices.


Interested?

🎁 DM us to get a promo code

🎧 Listen on Audible

📝 Leave a review (short, long, poetic, we welcome it all)


Your words don’t just support one story—they help an entire community of independent authors get heard.


HURRY! Limited slots available.

Let’s keep good stories circulating. 🔁



.

bottom of page