13 Red Media is pleased to announce the publication and release of Electric Soul, written by Taylor Saracen. Electric Soul is the third book in the publisher’s Rise Up series.
Electric Soul is coming-of-age novel that chronicles the early life of Helix Studios’ model Joey Mills. Mills is a reckless, brazen and unapologetically outspoken young man, who — for reasons he can’t explain — chooses to hide a key part of his true self from the world. The novel recounts a journey of self-discovery, as well as an unconventionally heartwarming story of the relationship between a troubled teen and his mother as they confront life’s challenges.
“Electric Soul is a view at teenage life that isn’t necessarily what parents or educators want to believe is true in America today, but it is,” explained Saracen, a former middle and high school teacher.
Saracen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Developmental Psychology and is particularly interested in the plight of youth whose path to adulthood may appear unorthodox.
“I seek to de-stigmatize those who work in the adult film industry by showing how closely their struggles mirror our own,” she said. “They are a community that has been marginalized and maligned. They deserve better representation.”
Electric Soul is Saracen’s third novel in the series, Rise Up. It follows His Own Way Out, inspired by the early life of Helix model Blake Mitchell and Twink, a book about Helix model Kyle Ross.
While the characters change and the stories vary in each Rise Up novel, common themes — including the struggle for independence, identifying one’s passions and searching for acceptance and for love — are interwoven throughout each installment. Saracen’s hope is that the series illuminates how difficult the teenage years can be for young people and how these complexities can be compounded by confusion or shame about sexuality.
Saracen grew close with Mills while writing Electric Soul. “The beginning of the writing process was sitting down and talking to Joey about his early life and coming out. As I wrote the novel, I sent each chapter to Joey, and we texted or Facetimed to make sure everything felt right,” she explained.
Mills also gave Saracen access to his mother and sister. “His family plays an important role in his story, and it was incredibly helpful to get their input on events,” the author explained.
Founded by Keith Miller of Helix Studios, 13 Red Media is a multi-faceted media company focused on providing consumers with groundbreaking LGBT content. In addition to meeting a unique consumer need and providing a thoughtful platform for LGBT narratives, 13 Red Media exemplifies creative thinking in terms of marketing, branding and product creation.
Electric Soul is currently available in select bookstores, on Amazon and via most e-book retailers worldwide.
