About that name … Plot twist

On pen names, identity, and the self behind the stories

Hey friends 💜

Story time.

Once upon a time, in MM+ Fiction land, a bigender MM+ Contemporary Romance author named Leigh Jarrett sat down to write a sexy homoerotic short story and accidentally met a very opinionated man named Gavin E. Black … in their own damned head.

They got along immediately.

Gavin had Opinions. Gavin had Vibes. Gavin absolutely insisted he should be the one telling certain stories. And honestly? He was right.

So for years, you’ve known and loved Gavin E. Black. And I do too. But here’s the part that’s been quietly waiting in the wings: I’m bigender and AFAB.

Here’s the deal, though: Gavin isn’t a disguise, a trick, or a marketing decision. Gavin is me — specifically, who I am when I’m in my male identity.

I’ve never meant to fool anyone. I just didn’t always have the words, comfort, support, or courage to explain this out loud. Writing as Gavin has always felt natural because it comes from a very real place inside me.

And for the record… I am just as gay in real life as Gavin is in the story world. Some traits are beautifully consistent across identities. 😄

This isn’t a confession. It’s more like introducing two people (actually three) who’ve been standing in the same room this whole time.

If you’ve supported my work as Gavin, you’ve supported me. All of me. And I’m so grateful for that.

In the coming weeks, I’ll introduce you to my other two pen names and share their stories as serialized guest posts. I have a truly impressive backlist.

Thank you for being here, for reading, and for giving me the space to show up more openly as my romantic, smutty, kinky, story-obsessed self.