See the Cowl of Wade Rouse’s Novel ‘That is What Mates Are For’ (Unique)

Wade Rouse, like many individuals, has an abiding love for a sure ‘80s sitcom.

“I grew up watching The Golden Women long-distance with my mother and grandma as a closeted frat boy within the Nineteen Eighties,” the bestselling creator tells ipromiseyoumedia. “The present — which tackled so many points throughout its time on air from growing older, friendships, LGBTQ+ points, the seek for that means after marriage and youngsters, mortality, racism, the HIV-AIDS disaster (and did all of it with humor) — helped pave the best way for me to return out to these I cherished most.”

Now, Rouse’s ardour for the present is coming to life in his newest guide, That is What Mates Are For, out subsequent spring from MIRA, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

The novel follows Theodore “Teddy” Copeland, who lives in Palm Springs together with his three associates: Barry, a former actor haunted by a career-killing function; Ron, a Midwest transplant and Sid, who continues to be trying to find love. Along with being housemates, the buddies are additionally a part of a Golden Women drag tribute act referred to as “The Golden Gays.”

However when Trudy, Teddy’s estranged sister, exhibits up on the home along with her teenage granddaughter, the group’s lives are uprooted — particularly when Trudy reveals the actual purpose she got here for a go to.

That is What Mates Are For marks the primary novel that Rouse, who writes below the pen identify Viola Shipman, will publish below his actual identify. The creator explains that this can be a “big departure” in his profession.

“That is What Mates Are For marks the 20 th guide I’ve written and my twentieth yr as a broadcast creator, and I really feel as if this isn’t solely the guide I used to be meant to put in writing but additionally the best second for this story,” he says. “I wrote this story as a result of it referred to as to my soul, and I knew that I wanted to observe my coronary heart.”

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“I’ve realized that generally the best moments in our lives occur once we are most terrified — as writers and souls,” the creator continues. “And that if we will simply corral that worry and stroll by the fireplace to emerge on the opposite facet — coronary heart racing, a bit scorched — what we dreamed of and fought so exhausting to realize has the possibility to alter the world.”

Rouse says he was additionally impressed by the character Coco, the homosexual housekeeper on The Golden Women who was lower after the pilot episode to make room for Sophia.

“I fictionalize the lifetime of this actor who had the function of a lifetime ripped away from him and share the battle of a person attempting to get that again his total profession,” Rouse says. “What should it have been wish to be an out, homosexual actor in a time when Hollywood was nonetheless so closeted?”

Rouse delves into different vital matters within the novel, which he says he’s “by no means been prouder of.”

“That is What Mates Are For is ferocious and humorous, hopeful and heart-wrenching, a narrative about what so many people have endured on this life to search out friendship, love and respect in a world that continues to punch us within the intestine,” Rouse says. 

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“The present, like my novel, represents what I’ve executed my total existence in life and writing: Reduce the ache with laughter. Educate and break down partitions with humor.”

That is What Mates Are For will probably be printed on March 3, 2026 and is now accessible for preorder, wherever books are offered.