Toby
has four recent books out: an updated, revised and expanded edition of
his
classic soft sci fi romance novel
SECRET MATTER
-- with its quirky and mystical spin on what it means to be gay. Click
on the title for info.
An historical novel, written in collaboration with
historian/anthropologist Walter L. Williams,
set in the Old West TWO SPIRITS: A Story
of Life With the Navajo. A collection of gay positive stories
contributed by more than 30 writers (including San Antonians Bill
Goodman & Sterling Houston) titled CHARMED
LIVES.
And his beloved spiritual romance novel GETTING
LIFE IN PERSPECTIVE has just
been rereleased by Lethe Press.
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Table of Contents Search Site Also on this website: Toby
Johnson's books: TWO SPIRITS: A Story of Life with the
Navajo, a collaboration with Walter L. Williams GAY SPIRITUALITY: The Role of Gay Identity in the Transformation of Human Consciousness GAY PERSPECTIVE: Things Our Homosexuality Tells Us about the Nature of God and the Universe SECRET
MATTER: updated, revised & expanded edtion from Lethe Press
with Afterword by Mark Jordan PLAGUE:
A NOVEL ABOUT HEALING. Books on Gay Spirituality:
Articles
and Excerpts: Read
Toby's review of Samuel Avery's The
Dimensional Structure of
Consciousness Funny Coincidence: "Aliens Settle in San Francisco" The
Simple Answer to the Gay Marriage Debate Why gay people should NOT Marry What's ironic What Jesus said about Gay
Rights What the Bible Says about
Homosexuality Mesosexual Ideal for Straight Men Waves
of Gay Liberation Activity Why Gay Spirituality: Spirituality
as Artistic Medium Easton Mountain Retreat Center "It's Always About You" Joseph Campbell's description of
Avalokiteshvara Emptiness & Religious Ideas Experiencing experiencing experiencing Going into the Light Meditations for a Funeral Meditation Practice The way to get to heaven Advice to Travelers to India & Nepal Nate Berkus is a bodhisattva The Joseph Campbell Connection Campbell & The Pre/Trans Fallacy Gay Spiritual Functions The Sinfulness of
Homosexuality "The Evolution of Gay Identity" "St. John of the
Cross & Religious Articulations of the
Secret Teenage
Prostitution and the Nature of Evil Allah
Hu: "God is present here" The Life is in the Blood What
are you looking for in a gay science fiction novel? The mystical experience at the Servites' Castle in Riverside The
Great Dance according to C.S.Lewis The Techniques Of The World Saviors Part 1: Brer Rabbit and the
Tar-Baby How Gay
Souls Get Reincarnated In honor of Sir Arthur C Clarke Toby's friend
and nicknamesake Toby Marotta. About
Michael Talbot, gay mystic Book Reviews Be Done on Earth by Howard E. Cook Pay Me What I'm Worth by Souldancer The Way Out by Christopher L Nutter The Gay Disciple by John Henson
Art That Dares by Kittredge Cherry
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Getting Life in Perspective Toby Johnson's beloved "gay spiritual, fantastical romance novel" is back in print from Lethe Press Sweet, sexy, wise and thoroughly entertaining, this mytho-historical novel, featuring two lovable apparitions from late 1800s America, interweaves a heart-warming story of youthful romance and adventure with an ageless life-affirming and gay-positive spiritual message ...along with just a touch of the Twilight Zone. Lethe Press Paperback, 244 pages ISBN 978-1-59021-126-7 $14.95 “There is a
fresh naivete in [Toby Johnson’s] style that rings pleasantly in the
ear, like the memory of a ‘boy’s book’ enthusiastically devoured at age
12. Against the sour punk of so much of today’s gay male fiction,
Getting Life in Perspective is a treat.”
—Marvin Shaw, reviewer
“What
can I say? This magical creation made me cry and laugh and muse and‚
more significantly, it made me remember the essential innocence, spirit
and purpose of love. Love always presents a unique personal view; if
allowed, it can expand perspective beyond mere imagination‚ Getting Life in Perspective jump
starts memory, gives rebirth to hope and literally sings. It is an
irreverent-reverent chant to love.”
—Wil Biggers, White Crane Journal “The
narrator of this clever and fast-moving novel creates two characters
who tell their story of gay life and relationships the way it might
have been in turn of the century America. Weaving the spiritual
messages of Edward Carpenter and Joseph Campbell into the plot adds a
provocative and timely theme… a thoughtful book as well as simply great
good fun.”
—Michael Shernoff, gay
therapist
Rainbow Reviews wrote: “Getting Life in Perspective” by Toby Johnson is an amazing novel. With everything from Walt Whitman to Joseph Campbell to the mystics of the Far East, this story is dense with teachings, philosophies, and life lessons. It truly has the potential to change your life. This book is about gay spirituality and gay sexuality and the universal life experience. It is told in an engaging and emotional way. The characters are vivid, the environment colorful, and the events totally believable. There are many layers within this story. It is wonderful how the author creates two different eras ~ 1890s and the 1980s; yet, these separate times emphasize the commonality/ the universality of all eras. Within this book is the story of two gay young men finding themselves and their love in the 1890s. They tell their story to a gay man living in the 1980s who is struggling to come to terms with his own mortality and the AIDS epidemic to help illuminate his own life. All this is told in a way to help enlighten the reader’s connection with the universal themes of life, love, mortality, sexuality, and spirituality. It should be noted that because of the serious way the author treats the subject matter, this book is not for anyone desiring a light, escapist read; but, for those willing to make the effort, it is very rewarding! --Review by Matthew  - - - Getting Life in Perspective is available from the author (signed, if you'd like) at retail price but with free postage--and can be purchased by credit card through Paypal. (Click the author link for that page) San Antonians, please buy from Zebraz, your local gay community bookseller, located at 1608 North Main Ave., San Antonio TX 78212. Their website is ZEBRAZ.COM On the Internet: Getting Life in Perspective is available from amazon.com And from gay booksellers, like Lambda Rising. (Search on "Toby Johnson") Getting Life in Perspective is available for the amazonKindle ebook device.
Retreats
By the way, Toby Johnson is presenting three weekend seminars in 2008:Ironic Horse Studios in Albuquerque, NM; Wildwood Retreat Center at the Russian River, CA; and Easton Mountain Retreat Center in upstate New York. click here for info |
Toby Johnson, PhD is author of eight books: three non-fiction books that apply the wisdom of his teacher and "wise old man," Joseph Campbell to modern-day social and religious problems, three gay genre novels that dramatize spiritual issues at the heart of gay identity, and two books on gay men's spiritualities and the mystical experience of homosexuality. In addition to the novels featured elsewhere in this web site, Johnson is author of IN SEARCH OF GOD IN THE SEXUAL UNDERWORLD and THE MYTH OF THE GREAT SECRET (Revised edition): AN APPRECIATION OF JOSEPH CAMPBELL.
Johnson's Lammy Award winning book GAY SPIRITUALITY: The Role of Gay Identity in the Transformation of Human Consciousness was published in 2000.
His Lammy-nominated book GAY
PERSPECTIVE: Things Our Homosexuality Tells Us about the Nature
of God and the Universe was published by Alyson in 2003.
