Dear Mr. Bantle:

I'm here to do what David and Eddie do in their spare time; praise an author of a great book. I recently received an early reader's copy of "David Inside Out," and I've benefited in many ways after reading it. For quite a while, I was struggling with the development of my sexuality. I was scared and afraid of being gay, and wanted more than anything for those "urges" to go away. After reading this book, I've realized that those thoughts I was having are natural and nothing to be ashamed of. I even found that I was a lot like David! For this, I want to thank you. It's great to know that someone else has gone through times like these and is willing to write about them to help other teens going through these raging emotional times.

"David Inside Out" is truly a great book, and I hope to see more from you in the future. The book is fascinating and heart-wrenching at the same time. Quite the story! You've got a gift for words that not many do; I'm so happy that I've been able to read such a good book as the one you've written. As I read further into the novel, I grew very attached to the characters- feeling their joy, pain, and other emotions. It takes a special skill to be able to draw a reader so deeply into a book as well as "David" does. This book is, without a doubt, one of the best I've ever read.

Thanks again for providing a source of support to a confused sixteen-year-old. I appreciate all you've done, even without realizing it. Hope to hear back from you!

Best Wishes,
Austin from Texas

Dear Lee,

I just finished reading a copy of David Inside Out and felt compelled to send you a quick note, despite the fact that my boyfriend will likely yell at me for typing too loud this late at night... :)

I grew up in Minnesota, also before the dawn of gay-straight alliances (I graduated high school in 1997), and your book really spoke to me. The geographical and culinary references (spaghetti hotdish - I laughed - loud) made it quite personal, but the emotions and characters made it universal.

I can remember quite clearly the summer after graduation. I spent plenty of nights camped out in front of the Guthrie to see RENT - seven times - and felt for the first time that I was really among my people. Days in Loring Park, my first gay pride (where I ran into my church's music director), and that first boyfriend at the U of M in the fall... man... memories.

I'm really excited about people getting to read your work. It truly touched me and I'll do my part to recommend it to everyone I can.

:)

Andy from California