Can you believe it?
We are knocking on the door of 2026, which marks a massive milestone for me: My tenth year of publishing fiction.
Ten years. A full decade.
When I started this journey, the landscape of MM romance looked very different. I was different, too. My first pen name was Enrique Cruz. I was finding my voice, experimenting with tropes, and just beginning to understand the craft of storytelling. My first stories were short erotica, and I left that pen name behind long ago. I also named my publishing company “Cruz Publishing” so I’d never forget my beginnings.
Now I write under my actual name. Over the last decade, I’ve written millions of words, published dozens of books, and learned more than I ever imagined about love, character arcs, and the art of the Happy Ever After.
As I prepared for this anniversary, I started doing something I rarely do: I sat down and read my own backlist.
It was a nostalgic trip, but it was also eye-opening. There are stories in my catalog that I still absolutely adore. But I also saw places where “2020 Ian” rushed a pivotal scene that “2026 Ian” would savor. I saw novellas that were bursting at the seams, begging to be full-length novels. I saw emotions that could go deeper and chemistry that could burn hotter.
Growth is a natural part of being an author. If I wrote exactly the same way today as I did ten years ago, I wouldn’t be doing my job.
So, how do I celebrate ten years? By giving my past work the future it deserves.
The “Ian O. Lewis Remastered” Project
I am thrilled to announce that throughout my anniversary year, I will be remastering a significant portion of my back catalog.
What does “remastering” mean? It’s more than just a fresh coat of paint (though you know I love designing new covers!). I’m diving back into the manuscripts. I’m tightening the prose, deepening the emotional beats, and expanding the stories that I feel never quite got the space they deserved.
My goal is simple: I want to give you the very best book I can.
Whether you have been reading my gay romance novels since day one or you just discovered me through a social media recommendation yesterday, I want to ensure that every title in my library reflects the writer I am today. I want these stories to shine as brightly as they do in my head.
Looking Forward (And a Secret)
Of course, I’m not just spending 2026 looking in the rearview mirror. I am just as excited about the future.
I have a packed schedule of brand new releases coming your way this year. I’m exploring new dynamics, new settings, and yes—new levels of steam.
And… I have a secret.
I am currently developing a brand new series that is completely top secret for now. It’s something a little different for me, but it’s packed with everything you love about my books. My lips are sealed on the details (for now), but let’s just say it’s going to be a wild ride.
Thank you for sticking with me for ten incredible years. Here’s to the stories we’ve told, the ones we’re polishing up, and the ones that are just waiting to be written.
Ian O. Lewis and Luke Jameson 