FalconINK Launches Erotic Male-Male Romance Literary Division

Falcon Studios and NakedSword have launched FalconINK, a new literary division, with a celebratory event at Book Soup in West Hollywood. The imprint, which rolled out in July, focuses on erotic male-male romance stories and has released its first two novellas, "Hardball" and "Wild Game: Open Season."

FalconINK's Debut and Vision

The launch event for FalconINK took place on a Saturday afternoon at Book Soup, a bookstore in West Hollywood, California. Guests gathered to mark the release of FalconINK and its initial titles, "Hardball" by Riley Parks and "Wild Game: Open Season" by Parks and Ben Rush. Both novellas are available in print, e-book, and audiobook formats.

Ben Rush, Falcon | NakedSword’s chief creative marketing officer and co-chief content officer, heads the FalconINK imprint. Rush stated that Falcon Studios and NakedSword have spent over 55 years telling stories visually, but that literature offers a different medium for storytelling. He noted that books allow for exploration of a character's inner thoughts, building anticipation, and delving into romance and emotional intimacy, which can be more intimate than film. Rush also described books as "imaginative," where the reader acts as the director and casting director. He added that hearing actors like Derek Kage or Eddie Burke narrate audiobooks provides an additional dimension, combining their voices and personas with the reader's imagination.

FalconINK plans to feature erotic male-male romance stories in various formats, including original novellas and stories inspired by the Falcon | NakedSword film universe. The imprint will operate under three labels: Falcon Books, NakedSword Books, and Raging Stallion Books.

Attendees and Audiobooks

The launch event provided attendees with the opportunity to hear passages from the books and meet individuals involved in their creation. Among those present were Falcon/NakedSword President Tim Valenti, Creative Director Sister Roma, and VP of Creative Content Development Ben Rush. Studio stars Beau Butler, Tony Genius, Ryan Orion, River North, Trenton Ducati, Eddie Burke, and Derek Kage also attended.

Derek Kage and Eddie Burke lent their voices to the audiobook editions of "Open Season" and "Hardball," respectively. Sophia Locke was also present at Book Soup, supporting Kage.

Tim Valenti views FalconINK as a natural extension of Falcon and NakedSword’s existing work across film, streaming, and other media. He described the company as a multimedia entity, with hardcore content as its core, but also producing indie films and shorts that are not hardcore. Valenti stated that publishing is another method for the company to tell its stories. He also expressed his personal admiration for fiction and good writers, calling it one of his favorite forms of entertainment.

Sister Roma, a member of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, shared her enthusiasm for reading, noting her history as an avid reader of series like "Hardy Boys" and "Little House on the Prairie," and later, erotica. She compared the experience to a return to reading pornography where the imagery is created perfectly in one's own mind.

Expanding Storytelling and Audience

Ben Rush believes that prose offers unique storytelling possibilities, stating that Falcon/NakedSword has always focused on fantasy and storytelling. While film provides an immediate way to tell stories, written fiction allows for exploration beyond what film can achieve. Rush noted that a character with limited screen time can have an extensive history on the page, allowing for deeper exploration of their thoughts before and after encounters, and the significance of their relationships. This also enables the telling of larger stories.

FalconINK can revisit worlds familiar to audiences from Falcon, Raging Stallion, and NakedSword films. For example, "Open Season" serves as a prequel to the film "Wild Game," allowing readers to explore its world further. Valenti sees potential in expanding on existing films or telling prequel stories from the company's catalog. However, FalconINK's ambitions extend beyond expanding existing narratives, as it also plans to publish completely original fiction, with "Hardball" introducing new characters and a new story.

Rush emphasized that while FalconINK aims for crossover appeal between films and books, each project must stand on its own merits. The goal is to treat Falcon as a storytelling universe rather than being confined to a single medium, with FalconINK providing more room to build that universe. The publishing imprint has been part of Rush's vision since he joined the company, though Valenti noted that the idea had to wait until Falcon/NakedSword was ready to support it.

The timing of FalconINK's launch coincides with growing mainstream interest in erotically charged queer romance and its cross-media potential. The success of "Heated Rivalry," a gay sports romance novel adapted for television on Crave and HBO Max, attracted a significant female fanbase. Valenti observed a similar crossover within Falcon/NakedSword's audience, noting that 12-13% of members on their hardcore sites are female, watching "muscle guys and jocks" and showing interest in performers like Trenton Ducati.

Derek Kage, who is expanding into straight and bisexual content, has observed this interest firsthand, noting an uptick on his fan sites from heterosexual women who enjoy watching two men engage in sex. Kage also mentioned that since "Heated Rivalry" was released, there has been interest from women within the industry to collaborate with gay men, citing professional benefits on fan sites. He mentioned a collaboration with Sophia Locke and Ryan Driller where Locke wanted to "enjoy that moment with two guys."

FalconINK has additional releases planned, including a title next month derived from the film "Eat the Rich," focusing on closeted gay billionaires. An original fictional story is scheduled for November, and an audio version of the "Bred and Breakfast" franchise is planned for Christmas.

Key Facts

• FalconINK, a new literary division of Falcon Studios and NakedSword, launched in July 2026.
• The imprint's debut novellas are "Hardball" by Riley Parks and "Wild Game: Open Season" by Parks and Ben Rush.
• A launch event was held at Book Soup in West Hollywood, attended by Falcon/NakedSword President Tim Valenti, Creative Director Sister Roma, VP of Creative Content Development Ben Rush, and studio stars.
• Derek Kage and Eddie Burke narrated the audiobook editions of "Open Season" and "Hardball," respectively.
• FalconINK aims to publish erotic male-male romance stories, including original fiction and narratives inspired by Falcon | NakedSword films, across print, digital, and audiobook formats.
• The venture seeks to expand storytelling possibilities beyond film and reach a broader audience, including a growing female demographic interested in gay romance.