Drawing from America’s 1947 flying saucer craze, Meyers’s zippy sci-fi adventure follows Colorado Sentinel reporters Sam—a 24-year-old family man with a wife, kid, and another on the way—and Dean, gay and stunningly attractive, making a name for himself in the news world in an era hostile to people like him. When local reports place a flying saucer nearby, the pair is tasked with camping out in Two-Mile Mesa—near the property of the richest man in town, Ernie Wacker, nicknamed the Uranium King—to cover what may be the story of the century. Before long, their close proximity evolves into a mutual attraction and quickly morphs into something more.

Meyers’s storytelling transports readers into a shocking government cover-up, as Sam and Dean discover there’s more to the UFO story than they ever guessed. Some place blame on the Russians, fearful they’re seeking intel on America’s newly developed atomic bomb, while others credit alien overlords—or scream hoax—but for Sam and Dean, the truth goes much deeper than suspected. Meyers explores capitalism, sensationalism, and sexuality through their riveting perspectives, lobbing plot twists and startling revelations into an atmosphere already rich with romance and relationship complexity.

Readers will be trying to work out the truth until the very end, as news coverups and top-secret government dealings build suspense, while Sam and Dean decide if risking their livelihood and everything they hold dear is worth exposing the truth—about the UFO sightings and about their feelings for each other. Ultimately, they choose integrity, with Meyers (author of The Holy Hugs of Father S.) using their revelations along the way to explore the cost of secrets. After Sam brands himself ”the truthteller, the seeker-out of the reality beneath the surface of things,” he gains the courage to speak the truth in other areas of his life as well, leaving readers heartened and emotionally satisfied while adding a dash of tenderness to the story’s extraterrestrial antics.

Takeaway: Surprising novel of America’s flying disc craze, with emotional depth.
July 2025

Both funny and tender, The Supersonic Phallus sets its LGBTQ+ love story against the backdrop of UFO sightings.

In Steven Key Meyers’s jaunty novel The Supersonic Phallus, the 1947 flying saucer craze is seen through the eyes of a truth-seeking journalist.

On July 4, 1947, more than eight hundred people across the United States, including a rancher in Western Colorado, report sightings of unidentified flying objects. Sam, a journalist, and his handsome colleague Dean are sent to investigate. Over the course of the following week, the men witness a flying saucer firsthand and uncover a scheme designed to incite anti-Russian panic. Meanwhile, Sam’s attraction toward Dean grows, and their late-night stakeouts provide the perfect opportunity for a romantic tryst.

Ribald humor mixes into the unpretentious, irreverent prose, which includes quirky sentence fragments ("Swaggered back to the office"; "Kissed him and left him there") and piquing phrases like "the rocketry of his groin" and observations of cadets’ "buttocks snapping in unison." Its descriptions of sex are variously lowbrow and tender. In attending to its historical setting, though, it becomes more detailed and elevated, noting postwar cultural habits that give additional shape to the centered flying saucer craze. For example, the end of the wartime sugar ration means the welcome return to doughnuts in the office, and a pregnant women drinks alcohol and lights a cigarette on a night out.

Though Sam narrates, he proves less active than Dean, who is the one who ends up making a passionate case for truth-telling. Indeed, Dean commands attention as he argues against censorship and earns the most interesting story beats. And the book’s extended cast, which includes a millionaire cowboy, an attractive society writer, and a reluctant family man, enlivens the story throughout.

While there are intermittent moments of tension, the book’s conflicts are often defused in a matter of sentences. A lovers’ spat resulting from Sam’s poor choice of words amounts to nothing; a missing person reappears hours later with a valid excuse; and Sam and Dean’s love affair, which develops with speed and with little discussion, is implied to be risky but has few true consequences. A mild plot twist arises, but it proves to be not much of a surprise. Still, Sam’s continual search for truth within his country and within himself is compelling.

In the lighthearted historical novel Supersonic Phallus, reports of flying saucers across the US background a story about journalistic integrity and forbidden love.

Reviewed by Hannah Pearson
August 3, 2025

Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the publisher will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Supersonic Phallus by Steven Key Meyers is a captivating exploration of post-war America, blending historical events with intrigue. Set in 1947, the novel follows Sam, a young journalist in Sinai, Colorado, as he navigates the hysteria surrounding flying saucers, the pressures of small-town life, and his own awakening. Meyers skillfully intertwines real-life events, such as the Roswell incident and the nationwide UFO sightings, with the fictional antics of Ernie Wacker, a uranium tycoon who fabricates flying saucer sightings to boost his business and the town’s economy. The narrative is filled with period details, capturing the paranoia and excitement of a nation grappling with the atomic age and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Meyers uses Sam’s perspective to explore themes of truth, morality, and identity, as he struggles with his role as a journalist and his unexpected romantic feelings for his colleague, Dean.

The pacing is engaging, with moments of humor, suspense, and introspection. Steven Key Meyers’ prose is vivid, bringing the Colorado landscape and the bustling newsroom to life. The characters are well-developed, particularly Sam, whose internal conflict drives much of the narrative. The relationship between Sam and Dean is tenderly portrayed, highlighting the societal constraints of the era. Ernie is a fascinating foil, embodying the excesses and eccentricities of post-war capitalism. The Supersonic Phallus is a thought-provoking and entertaining read, offering a unique lens on a pivotal moment in American history. The author’s ability to weave together fact and fiction makes this a gripping narrative and a touching commentary on the human condition. The Supersonic Phallus offers readers an engaging and unforgettable tale.

The Supersonic Phallus by Steven Key Meyers is a thought-provoking tale based on the real-life ‘1947 flying-disc craze.’ This story begins on Saturday, July 5, 1947, at the Sinai, Colorado Sentinel newspaper office. Sam, a reporter, learns from Dean, another reporter, that the press is buzzing about the over 800 reports across the country of people claiming to have seen unidentified flying objects (UFOs) darting across the night sky on July 4th. Various ideas are circulating as to what they could be or who is responsible for these UFOs. Some people speculate that the Russians or the US military are responsible, while others believe it is extraterrestrial aliens. Sam and Dean are both newcomers to the Sentinel, but they are assigned to find out more about this headline news. During this case, they also discover a lot more about each other.

I enjoyed reading The Supersonic Phallus. Sam narrates this character-driven novel. It was refreshing to me because Sam seemed like an honest narrator, open about his weaknesses and acknowledging the strengths of people he disliked. I appreciated how realistic all the characters felt and how authentic their dialogue sounded. Meyers did an excellent job of intertwining the romantic affair plot with the flying-saucer storyline. Not everything is as it seems concerning the UFOs. I thoroughly enjoyed all the plot twists, and the story was well-paced, keeping me entertained. I enjoyed how the story flowed with bits of comedy and drama sprinkled throughout. I recommend this novel to all science fiction lovers.

The Supersonic Phallus by Steven Key Meyers is an interesting, funny, and well-written novel that takes place in Sinai, Colorado, in 1947, after the end of World War II. It follows Sam, a young journalist, and his handsome colleague, Dean, who were sent to investigate reports from witnesses in Upchurch who claimed to have seen strange lights in the sky. The lights are suspected to be from a flying saucer, and people are getting nervous, which could bring tourists who want to catch a glimpse of the mystery. As Sam and Dean spend nights together hoping to spot the strange light and publish it as a newspaper headline, they start to grow closer, and their friendship turns into something deeper. Sam and Dean begin to feel they are being tricked and suspect Ernie Wacker, a successful businessman, to have faked a UFO sighting with a helicopter and glowing light to boost his uranium business and the town's economy.

The Supersonic Phallus is a captivating read. It is full of surprises and characters that are very lively and energetic. I love how Meyers was able to capture what life felt like after World War II, when people were afraid of bombs and the Soviet Union. I love the humor and the unexpected plot twists. Sam and Dean’s relationship adds an extra layer of warmth to the fast-paced plot and covers themes of self-discovery and forbidden desires. I enjoyed the flashbacks and conversations between the characters; they added some real history and a personal touch to the narrative. The Supersonic Phallus by Steven Key Meyers shows how far people will go to get what they want, like Ernie’s smart, selfish plans and the Sinai Sentinel's attitude to publishing the true account of what was seen in the sky. I recommend this book to people who love fun and engaging stories about friendship and small-town life.

The Supersonic Phallus by Steven Key Meyers follows newspaper reporters, Sam and Dean, working in 1947 Sinai, Colorado. They are assigned by editor Wilt Pullman to investigate mysterious glowing red objects seen near Two-Mile Mesa, initially reported by Mrs. Jesse Upchurch and other witnesses. As Sam and Dean interview locals, stake out sighting locations, and collect photos, they uncover conflicting accounts, including a staged flying saucer hoax by a local pilot named Ernie. Despite gathering evidence exposing the deception, Wilt pressures them to withhold the truth to protect the town’s economy and promote tourism tied to the UFO reports. Meanwhile, military involvement escalates, as does the relationship between Sam and Dean, after actual unidentified aerial phenomena appear, intensifying their determination to reveal the full story despite institutional suppression.

The Supersonic Phallus is a unique novel that brings to life the persistent observations and dialogue of Sam and Dean, the former being the first-person point of view character. To my surprise and delight, this book runs the gamut of genres. We get a fabulous queer noir set firmly in the 1940s, with period-accurate social issues, gritty work drama, noir aesthetics and a science fiction angle. The prose moves through detailed descriptions of the men’s nightly vigils, complete with coffee, cigarettes, and personal stories, like Dean’s wartime memories, with sharp, credible reportage of sightings, investigations, and a brilliant Gray Barker-esque package. The focus on what the characters observe and say is what provides an authentic, grounded portrayal. Overall, this is an entertaining, evolving mystery that ticks all the boxes. Very highly recommended.

Sci-fi fans will enjoy a thrilling rollercoaster ride with Steven Key Meyers’ historical mystery novel, The Supersonic Phallus. It’s the year 1947. Sam and Dean are reporters for the Sinai, Colorado Sentinel, tasked with covering the news of multiple UFO sightings across various states in America. When they receive reports of a UFO sighting over the local Upchurch Ranch, they delve into the investigation, only to discover suspicious links between the town’s wealthiest man, Ernie Wacker, and the UFOs. Meanwhile, Dean’s looks not only draw the attention of the local women, but also evoke passionate feelings in Sam, despite him being a married man with a child. With the U.S. Army sending its Mustangs to confront the suspected Russian flying saucers, Sam and Dean risk their careers to expose the truth.

Author Steven Key Meyers tells a captivating tale, interweaving elements from sci-fi, sleuth mystery, and historical fiction into an absorbing narrative to great effect. The narrative is primarily dialogue-driven, with the character interactions moving the plot forward with a few surprising reveals along the way. I found the premise really intriguing, and the author builds on that, delivering an engrossing story that is sure to delight sci-fi mystery lovers. Apart from the mystery, the primary highlight of the book is, of course, the relationship dynamic between Sam and Dean. The ending leaves a couple of threads ambiguous, and I think it’s up to the reader’s interpretation to decide whether one of the main characters was an alien or not. The Supersonic Phallus is an enthralling story that I highly recommend.

The Supersonic Phallus
Steven Key Meyers
Smash & Grab Press, 148 pages, (paperback) $9.99, 9798985021578
Reviewed: July 2025

The Supersonic Phallus is a short, entertaining novel about reporters investigating flying saucers, with a queer twist. Set in 1947 small-town Colorado, north of the alleged Roswell, New Mexico, UFO crash site, it follows young reporter Sam as he and his colleague, Dean, check out sightings.

As they discover the underlying truth, they face challenges to their ethics: Business interests want parts of the story withheld; the military wants it dropped entirely. Their editor sees the sightings as a potential tourism boost and orders them to conceal information damaging to this prospect. Along the way, Sam and Dean begin a passionate romance.

Narrated by Sam, the novel moves briskly, raising the excitement as Sam and Dean hear of the UFO’s first appearances before seeing one and later figuring out what it is.

The characters are mostly well-rounded and easy to root for. Dean is idealistic, wanting to publish the entire story, while Sam hesitates, thinking of his career if he goes against his editor. Even a character Sam initially dislikes turns out to have good intentions.

This is a light-hearted story, with colorful characters and descriptions. When Ernie bursts into the newsroom, looking for the editor, the author winkingly conveys his swagger: " ‘Wilt in? Or did the Martians get him? Or maybe a moose?’ [he says,] as all five-feet-five of him stumped on cowboy boots towards Wilt’s office."

Watching Sam and Dean’s relationship develop is wonderfully sexy. Complications ensue, as Sam is married with children, while Dean, proudly homosexual, wishes Sam could be with him.

Given her importance to Sam and his choices, Sam’s wife seems one-dimensional compared with many other characters. And an unexpected ending leaves unanswered questions. Some explicit language, even in regular conversation, might discourage certain readers (the book’s title comes from a description of a distinctively shaped UFO).

Despite these minor issues, readers seeking an amusing read with relatable characters will enjoy The Supersonic Phallus.