Lammy nominations are pouring in

The Lambda Literary Foundation started posting Lammy nominations in all 22 categories Dec. 10. Not all nominees have been processed as of this posting, according to the Lambda Literary Foundation Web site.

Some of 2008’s hottest, controversial, and best fiction and nonfiction titles that made the list are:

Sexual Fluidity: Understanding Women's Love & Desire, Lisa M. Diamond, Harvard University Press

Labor of Love, Thomas Beatie, Seal Press

Transgender History, Susan Stryker, Seal Press

Cool Thing: The Best New Gay Fiction from Young American Writers, edited by Blair Maustbaum & Will Fabro, Running Press

Latina Lesbians, edited by Juanita Ramos, Sinister Wisdom, Inc

Mariposas: A Modern Anthology of Queer Latino Poetry, edited by Emanuel Xavier, Floricanto Press

Gay America: Struggle for Equality, Linas Alsenas, Amulet Books

My Life: The Musical, Maryrose Wood, Random House Children's Books

What They Always Tell Us, Martin Wilson, Random House Children's Books

Radical Acts: Collected Political Plays, Martin Duberman, The New Press

Out Plays: Landmark Gay & Lesbian Plays of the 20th Century, Ben Hodges, Alyson Books

Dishonorable Passions: Sodomy Laws in America 1861-2003, William N. Eskridge Jr, Penguin Group

Courting Change, Kimberly Richman, NYU Press

Straight Acting, Angelo Pezzote, Kensington

Haunted Hearths & Sapphic Shades, Catherine Lundoff, Lethe Press

The Stone Gods, Jeanette Winterson, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

How the Religious Right Shaped Lesbian and Gay Activism, Tina Fetner, Univ of Minnesota Press

Greetings from the Gayborhood, Donald F. Reuter, Abrams Image

Respectably Queer: Diversity Culture in LGBT Activist Organizations, Jane Ward, Vanderbilt University Press

Passing for Black, Linda Villarosa, Kensington

Made for You, Geneva St. James, Alpha World Press

As Far As Far Enough, Claire Rooney, Bella

Lipstick on Her Collar, Sacchi Green and Rakelle Valencia, Pretty Things Press

Babies, Bikes & Broads, Cynn Chadwick, Bywater Books

Wrestling with the Angel of Democracy, Susan Griffin, Shambhala Publications

The Decade of Blind Dates, Richard Alther, I-Universe

The Distance Between Us, Bart Yates, Kensington

Hiding in Plain Sight: The Secret Life of Raymond Burr, Michael Seth Starr, Applause Books / Hal Leonard

Hiding in Hip Hop, Terrance Dean, Simon and Schuster

To find out if your book is one of the contenders click here.

Press Pass Q founder clashes with gay activists, journalists

Freelance writer David Benkof, founder of Press Pass Q and Q Syndicate, has a knack for ruffling feathers. First, he underwent a transformation from David Bianco, the gay activist, to David Benkof, the Orthodox Jew. For religious reasons, he told the Washington Blade in a 2003 interview, Benkof had given up sex with men, or as he put it, “having all kinds of Internet hookups and doing the urban gay male lifestyle.”

This summer, Benkof advocated passage of Proposition 8, California's ban on same-sex marriage. And in his new column “Fabulously Observant,” he urged gays and conservatives to find common ground on a number of social issues, including adoption, abortion, and support for troops in Iraq.

But that's not the whole of it. “He seems to have an ax to grind against our community, writing about some very ugly, negative stereotypes that are harmful,” said Wayne Besen, executive director of Truth Wins Out, a non-profit organization that counters right-wing propaganda and exposes the “ex-gay” myth.

Perhaps the worst stereotype perpetuated, Besen said, is Benkof's tying the gay community to NAMBLA [North American Man Boy Love Association]. In his recent column, “Anything but Straight,” Besen challenged Benkof for saying, “I have tons of data that shows how a significant subset of the gay community in America has always supported adult-child sex.”

But Benkof said Besen has taken that comment out of context. “I've never said gays are pedophiles,” Benkof said. Historically, however, “some leaders,” Benkof said, namely “Harry Hay and Frank Kameny, have linked gay liberation with lowering the age of consent laws.”

Earlier this year, “Fabulously Observant” ran in a few LGBT publications, including the Tampa Bay Gazette, Columbus Outlook, Tulsa Ozarks Star, and Dallas Voice – but not for long.

Take the Dallas Voice, for instance. “David Benkof submitted several freelance columns to us in the spring of this year,” said Voice editor Tammye Nash. “We ran two, maybe three of them. However, we got no reader response to the content of his columns and felt his work was not a good fit for our mission. So we have not published any since early June.”

Meanwhile, Benkof took his message to mainstream media [USA Today, Philadelphia Inquirer, New York Post, and Los Angeles Times] and the Jewish press. In an op-ed, Benkof argued that George W. Bush is the best president on AIDS.

In September, Benkof was appointed the first openly gay columnist for the Jerusalem Post, where “Fabulously Observant” will run weekly.

So why pay any attention to Benkof? “He's a very good writer with a knack for getting published in major publications,” said Besen. “He's using a national platform to hurt our community.”

A good role for LGBT media, Besen added, is “to talk to Benkof and see where he is coming from and find out where his relationship with the gay community soured so much that he writes in a very public fashion some derogatory things that have hurt people.”

At the same time, Besen applauds Benkof for breaking with backers of Proposition 8. “That's a step in the right direction.”

In fact, Benkof shut down his blog GaysDefendMarriage.com, he said, “because of homophobia and anti-Semitism among the organizers of that campaign. I no longer support Proposition 8 in California.”

What's more, “I do not have a vendetta against the gay community,” he said. “I don't want to hurt people I care about.”

Benkof also said he harbors no animosity toward gays and gay media. “My separation from Q Syndicate and Rivendell Media [which now owns Q Syndicate and Press Pass Q] was quite amicable,” said Benkof, who attributes his distancing from the community and gay press to a “religious transformation.”

In moving to Orthodox Judaism, “I came to the conclusion through study and fellowship with like-minded people that the Torah comes from God, and I needed to work my life around that fact,” he said. “I found my belief system and values to be inconsistent with my primary work in the gay press. It was a very gradual move, mostly from my religious transformation.”

Next year, Benkof, who self-identifies as gay or bisexual, but not ex-gay, intends to relocate to Jerusalem. — Chuck Colbert

Couretsy: PressPassQ (www.presspassq.com)

LGBT Publishing News

ALTERNATIVE PERSPECTIVES, the only LGBT radio show in Atlanta, has received a $5,000 grant from the LLOYD E. RUSSELL Foundation. Russell is a former activist and gay bar owner who died in 2006. The show airs Tuesday evenings on WRFG 89.3.

DIANE ANDERSON-MINSHALL has been promoted from executive editor to editor in chief of CURVE magazine. This is the first time in the magazine’s history that someone other than founder/publisher FRANCO STEVENS has filled that top editorial position.

JACOB ANDERSON-MINSHALL, who writes the syndicated column TRANSNATION, and REBECCA NAY, of TRANNYWRECK RADIO, launched a new radio show called GENDER BLENDER on Portland, Oregon’s KBOO 90.7 and online at KBOO.FM. The show addresses transgender issues and other gender-related topics.

BRUCE H. JOFFE, author of “A Hint of Homosexuality?: Gay and Homoerotic Imagery in American Print Advertising,” has won the best book award in the Gay/Lesbian: Non-Fiction category of the National Best Books 2008 Awards. Joffe is a professor of communications at Carthage College [Kenosha, Wis.], Cardinal Stritch University [Milwaukee, Wis.], and Mary Baldwin College [Staunton, Va.] focusing on gay and lesbian studies.

JUST OUT, an LGBT newspaper based in Portland, Ore., celebrated its 25th anniversary on Nov. 22. OURCHART.COM, a social networking site founded by “The L Word” creator ILENE CHAIKEN and SHOWTIME, was shut down last month.

QVEGAS, a gay destination magazine based in Las Vegas, redesigned both its print edition and website under the stewardship of editor and creative director M. CORY BURGESS.

INGA SARDA-SORENSEN has been named acting director of communications by the NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE. PEDRO JULIO SERRANO is now the communications coordinator handling Spanish-language media.

SPORTS OUT LOUD, the world’s only gay sports magazine, will relaunch on Jan. 15 under the new name COMPETE.

MIKE WILKE, founder of the COMMERCIAL CLOSET ASSOCIATION, was terminated by the non-profit’s board of directors on Nov. 4. The move came as part of its merger with the GAY & LESBIAN ALLIANCE AGAINST DEFAMATION.

Courtesy: PressPassQ (www.presspassq.com)

Genre sued by model over beefcake photos

A model for Genre magazine has filed a lawsuit against the publication and a photographer, alleging a series of “cruel and vulgar” photos printed in the publication without his permission have subjected him to unwanted advances and harassment from gay men.

The invasion of privacy lawsuit, filed recently in Manhattan Supreme Court by Benjamin Massing, 20, a microbiology major at the University of Central Florida, alleges he has been subjected to strangers “who solicit him for homosexual sex,” according to the New York Daily News.

The beefcake shot of him tugging on a snug pair of gray briefs also included contact information, including Massing's first name, where he lives, and ways to reach him online.

The model and aspiring actor alleges that Genre's March-April issue's photo spread, which is bordered by advertisements for sex toys, lubricants, and chat lines, has damaged his career.

According to the complaint, Massing says the pictures were for his private portfolio use, and he never expected photographer Richard Day to sell them to a magazine to make him look “lustful and sexually promiscuous,” according to the Daily News.
The rub for Massing: “He's not [gay],” said Liah Catanese, his attorney.

Additionally, the beefcake pictures of Massing have surfaced on websites for gay men, where readers make comments such as “Super sexy!” and “Love those hairy little legs … yummie.”

“It's definitely put him in a class where he's going to have difficulty obtaining contracts for family-related shows,' said lawyer Catanese in the Daily News.

During his modeling career, Massing has appeared, nearly in the buff, in an Abercrombie & Fitch catalogue. The model has also posed for a spread in Playgirl magazine in an issue highlighting eligible college men.

It is not clear whether or not Massing signed a release agreement with the photographer, allowing Day to use the photos. If the model did not sign one, then he may have a case regarding the pictures being used without permission. It is also not entirely clear whether the case is about the unauthorized use of the photographs or the publication of personal contact information, or both.

William P. Kapfer, vice president and publisher of Genre magazine, said he had not seen the lawsuit and therefore declined to comment.

— Chuck Colbert

Courtesy PressPassQ.com (www.presspassq.com)

LGBT bloggers learn the ropes at summit

by Lisa Keen
Bay Area Reporter, 12/11/2008

In a sterile conference room on the 11th floor of a non-descript office building in Washington, D.C., more than two dozen LGBT bloggers listened intently last weekend as their more veteran peers instructed them in the art of "blog swarms," "astro-turfing," and "cross-posting."

Bloggers, said one, can enable a minor event to "take on a whole new life" in the mainstream media by spreading news about it across 10 or 15 different blogs (a.k.a. the blog swarm). Lone bloggers can acquire the clout of large groups by assuming a moniker that makes them appear to be a "national" entity when, in fact, they are "a fake grassroots organization" (a.k.a. astro-turfing). And bloggers can increase readership for their views by posting them not just on their own sites but on other, more widely read, sites (a.k.a. cross-posting).

Blogs, said Mike Rogers, organizer of the summit, can be used to "drag people out of the closet" and persuade a corporation that has donated to an anti-gay cause to make amends to the LGBT community.

Rogers gained considerable notoriety in 2007 after he posted blogs about Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho) being arrested for solicitation in an airport men's room. A Washington Post headline that year referred to Rogers as possibly "the most feared man on [Capitol] Hill" because he's made clear he's willing to use his blog – http://www.blogActive.com – to out closeted politicians who vote against the rights of LGBT people.

"I'm an angry gay man," quipped Rogers to a workshop Saturday on "Fighting Back" against anti-gay institutions and people. He urged LGBT bloggers to "take it to the next level" in their postings against anti-gay entities and people.

This first National LGBT Citizen Journalist Bloggers Summit attracted about 60 LGBT bloggers. The conference was separate from, but simultaneous to, the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Institute, and bloggers and the more conventional leaders met in a few joint sessions.

The conference included such topics as how bloggers can contribute to political campaigns, how to enhance their work with investigative reporting skills and practices, and what federal laws might have an impact on their blogging. Conference sponsors included political activist Jonathan Lewis and the Microsoft Corporation. Rogers said Lewis contributed $50,000 toward the meeting and Microsoft contributed a free copy of Microsoft Office Professional to eager attendees.

"I think Microsoft's contribution shows the impact a small group of bloggers can have and the corporation's commitment to working with us," said Rogers.
Most of the bloggers at the summit appeared to be in their 20s, about two-thirds were men, and a few were people of color. There were well-known political bloggers, such as Pam Spaulding of http://www.PamsHouseBlend.com, Bil Browning of http://www.Bilerico.com, Nan Hunter of http://www.HunterforJustice.com, and Ramon Johnson of About.com's "Gay Life."

One attendee, Eric Leven of New York (at http://www.Knucklecrack.blogspot.com), described the conference as empowering.

"For me there was something in those rooms, something in those workshops," he blogged after the meeting, "maybe it was the sense of community or the downright simple feeling of being empowered by teachers, writers, techies and activists but something in that room made me feel as though we were all on our digital surfboards, in this new world of ours, riding the crest of the wave of this new movement."

"I think it's important that we provide the tools to successful and new and emerging bloggers," said Rogers, "so they can be more engaged in their community."

Although Rogers said he was not sure he had time to turn the summit into an annual event, he said it was part of an overall initiative that will provide grants to help bloggers (a.k.a. citizen journalists) with specific projects or to attend other conferences.

"A small grant to a blogger today," said Rogers, "can help develop tomorrow's effective citizen journalist."

Call for Submissions: Journal of Bisexuality

SPECIAL SPIRITUALTIES ISSUE – Journal of Bisexuality

Special Journal of Bisexuality issue on bisexualities and spiritualities; intersections, inquiries, stories, visions.

What are the connections/correlations between bisexuality as sexual orientation and the spiritual tradition(s) one is born into and/or chooses for oneself?

Are certain spiritual philosophies/practices more/less likely to include bisexuals?

In a pastoral sense, what are the sources of pain and suffering, of comfort and hope, for bisexuals in contrast to non-bisexuals?

Are there distinctive religious practices and beliefs characteristic of bi people?

What importance, if any, do bi-identified people put on bisexually-oriented representations of deity, cosmology?

What are the experiences of bi clergy – rabbis, ministers, imams, shamans, priestesses, priests, nuns, etc. – in terms of training/credentialing, job searches, congregational dynamics, interactions with gay, lesbian, trans, intersex and heterosexual peoples?

What are the ways in which non-binary thinking -- growing out of and/or grounding-rooting bi-epistemologies -- shape religious/spiritual practices?

What are the ways in which they are complexified and how/when do they move beyond the usual modes of thinking re: gender/gender expression?

What are the ways in which they challenge fictions of religious purity (i.e. – how do bi and/or trans epistemologies create space for people of multiple (usually seen as ‘conflicting;) or fluid religious identities?

Lastly, how do these beyond-binary modalities open up spaces/new horizons for conceptualizing creation stories, parables, wisdom texts, ways of naming the divine … for everyone?

Send queries to Dr. Loraine Hutchins, lorainehutchins@starpower.net

Proposals for articles due December 1, 2008.

Full drafts of requested articles due February 1, 2009.

Call for Submission: Best Gay and Lesbian Love Stories 2010

Alyson Books is having a submission call for our Best Gay and Lesbian Love Stories 2010 anthologies

True love is daunting, a journey so excruciating that it becomes legendary to those who hear the tale.

Tell us the story of your true love and why it still resonates in your heart till this day. Did you live happily ever after? Was your love marked by brevity and bliss? The sky is the limit. You pick the theme and how you want to tell the story.

Stories must be 2,000-5,000 words in length.

Please submit all stories to paul.florez@regentmedia.com

Deadline is January 1, 2009.

DORSET POETRY PRIZE $10,000

Open to All Poets Writing in English

Again this year, the Dorset Prize includes a cash award of $10,000 in addition to publication by Tupelo Press (in paper and hardcover editions), a book launch at Poets House in New York City, and national distribution through Tupelo Press and Consortium Book Sales and Distribution, Inc., Ingram and Baker & Taylor.

The 2008 Dorset Prize will be judged by Ilya Kaminsky. All finalists will be considered for publication. Personal friends as well as current and former students of Ilya Kaminsky are not eligible for this year’s Dorset Prize.

Full Guidelines are available on the Tupelo Press Website https://www.tupelopress.org/dorset.shtml.

The Gatewood Prize

The Gatewood Prize is Switchback Books' annual competition for a first full-length (48-80 pp.) collection of poems by a woman writing in English between the ages of 18 and 39. It is named after Emma Gatewood, the first woman to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. Our definition of woman" is broad and includes transsexual, transgender, genderqueer, and female-identified individuals.

2008 Judge: Denise Duhamel2008 Reading Period: July 1 - October 1, 2008

Prize: $500 and a standard publication contract with a print run of 1000.
For complete guidelines, go to The Gatewood Prize.

Call for Submission: SWELL Stories Wanted

Deadline: Janaury 1, 2009

Seeking original short stories focusing on LGBT themes from LGBT writers and their allies. Cash prizes plus publication in NewTownWriters ’ e-zine SWELL and print publication OFF THE ROCKS.

5000 words max.

$8.00 entry fee per story.

Full guidelines, submissions at http://www.newtownwriters.org/Fiction.html11th Gival Press Poetry AwardPostmark Deadline: Dec. 15, 2008 Prize of $1,000 plus author's copies for best original poetry manuscript in English of at least 45 pages; reading fee $20 per entry (by check or credit card).

Judge: Richard Carr, last year's winner.

For complete guidelines, visit website: www.givalpress.com and email: givalpress@yahoo.com.

Call for Submissions: BEST LESBIAN ROMANCE 2010

BEST LESBIAN ROMANCE 2010

Editor: Radclyffe

Publisher: Cleis PressDeadline for Submissions: April 1, 2009

Guidelines for Submissions

Published or unpublished short stories or novel excerpts Previously published material will be considered, provided it was or will be published between September 1, 2008 & December 31, 2009

Word count: 5000 words maximum

Electronic submissions only to: radclyffe.bsb@gmail.com. E-mail header: BLR 2010_Author_Title (BLR 2010_J Doe_Lovestory) MS Word doc attachment (story) E-mail body: list story title, author name, pseudonym, address, phone/fax, e-mail address, word count, where previously published (anthology title/publisher/Pub date), 75-100 word bio

Story Format. Header: story title/author name/page number (each page); Times New Roman 12 pt; double-spaced; standard paragraphing; no HTML; file name: BLR 2010_Author_Title (BLR 2010_J Doe_Lovestory) General Info: The anthology is scheduled for publication from Cleis Press Fall 2009. Submission decisions will be provided by e-mail in September 2009. Erotic content is welcome as long as the emotional/romantic elements are focal.

Please send questions to: radclyffe.bsb@gmail.com

Announcing the launch of COLLECTIVE FALLOUT: A Literary Magazine of Queer Genre Fiction & Poetry

Collective Fallout is a literary magazine dedicated to queer-themed sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and mystery fiction and poetry. It will be a print journal published 2 or 3 times a year.

The Collective Fallout blog is where readers will find reviews, interviews, and other editorial content, and is where readers are encouraged to comment on and reply to the forthcoming print journal.

Short Story submissions must be queer-related, and fall into one or more of the the science fiction, fantasy, horror, or mystery genres. Stories may not be longer than 10,000 words.

Poetry submissions must be queer-related, both form and free verse, and of a surreal, metaphysical, or similar nature. Up to 5 poems per submission, no more than 450 total lines. Simultaneous submissions accepted. We will not accept submissions of blatant erotica or pornography.

Contributors will receive one contributor copy of the magazine. Collective Fallout acquires and retains First North American Serial Rights. Submit content for the print magazine electronically to collectivefallout@gmail.com. Please attach files in DOC, RTF, or PDF formats.

Last Call: Lambda Literary Awards Guidelines 2008 Submission Form

The submission form is available as a PDF. If you would like one faxed or emailed to you, please send a request to awards@lambdaliterary.org or contact us at 323-936-5876.

2008 SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR THE 21ST LAMBDA LITERARY AWARDS

These guidelines focus on determining a book’s eligibility for the Lambda Literary Awards, the process of submitting a book for consideration by the judges, the parameters of the categories, and an approximate timeline for the awards cycle.

Each year, the Award Guidelines Committee of the Board of Trustees receives feedback from authors, publishers, and others in the literary community and informed with this feedback, the Committee assesses and revises the Guidelines with the goal of making the Lambda Literary Awards the most prestigious, competitive, and comprehensive awards offered to LGBT books and authors.

Changes to this year’s guidelines include the following:

Reprints of previously published paperback, hardcover or electronic books are not eligible. Second (or later) editions of a book are not eligible for consideration. A book that has been republished by a different publisher after its initial publication is not eligible. A book can be submitted in only one category, with two exceptions. Bisexual and Transgender books may be submitted in their respective categories, as well as a second LGBT category. This exception is intended to bring more visibility to the most under-published segments of our LGBT community.
If the Bisexual category receives ten (10) submissions of fiction and ten (10) submissions of nonfiction, the category will be separated into Bisexual Fiction and Bisexual Nonfiction. If the Transgender category receives ten (10) submissions of fiction and ten (10) submissions of nonfiction, the category will be separated into Transgender Fiction and Transgender Nonfiction. The awards committee reserves the right to split a category along sexual orientation or gender if the number of submissions received in a category warrant such a distinction.
Questions may be directed to awards@lambdaliterary.org.

TIMELINE

Submission period for books begins October 1, 2008 and ends December 1, 2008. A shortlist of five finalists for each category will be announced no later than March 15, 2009. Winners will be announced at the 21st Annual Lambda Literary Awards Ceremony, to be held on Thursday, May 28, 2009, in New York City.

ELIGIBILITY

In determining whether a book should be submitted for consideration, the Lambda Literary Awards are based principally on the LGBT content of the work. The sexual orientation of the author is secondary. The book must be published and distributed (i.e. available in bookstores) in the United States during 2008. Self-published books are eligible. Reprints of previously published paperback, hardcover or electronic books are not eligible. Second (or later) editions of a book are not eligible for consideration. A book that has been republished by a different publisher after its initial publication is not eligible. The book must be published in English. Translations from other languages into English are accepted, as long as the U.S. publication occurs during 2008. E-books are not eligible.

HOW TO SUBMIT A BOOK

Books submitted for consideration will be accepted between October 1, 2008 and December 1, 2008. A book can be submitted only by its author or by its publisher. To submit a book for consideration, please provide a completed submission form, an administrative fee of $20, and four (4) copies of the book. If the book is submitted for two categories (Bisexual or Transgender, plus a second LGBT category), please send eight (8) books instead of four. Only one administration fee ($20) is required. For books being published in late 2008 (especially December), bound galleys or bound manuscripts are accepted in lieu of finished copies of the book. Please note: electronic versions of books (PDFs) are not accepted.

CATEGORIES

Lambda Literary Awards are presented in twenty-two (22) categories (see below). If you have any questions about which category would be most appropriate for a book, please email us at awards@lambdaliterary.org. A book can be submitted in only one category, with two exceptions. Bisexual and Transgender books may be submitted in their respective categories, as well as a second LGBT category. This exception is intended to bring more visibility to the most under-published segments of our LGBT community. If a category receives less than ten (10) submissions, the category will not be active in this awards cycle. The submitted books will be reassigned to another category if appropriate, and the administrative fee will be refunded if the book cannot compete in another category.

If the Bisexual category receives ten (10) submissions of fiction and ten (10) submissions nonfiction, the category will be separated into Bisexual Fiction and Bisexual Nonfiction. If the Transgender category receives ten (10) submissions of fiction and ten (10) submissions of nonfiction, the category will be separated into Transgender Fiction and Transgender Nonfiction.
The awards committee reserves the right to split a category along sexual orientation if the number of submissions received in a category warrant such a distinction.

2008 CATEGORIES

LESBIAN and GAY CATEGORIES (14) LESBIAN: Books eligible for this category are those that feature a lesbian main character. The gender and orientation of the author are not considered in determining the book’s eligibility.

GAY: Books eligible for this category are those that feature a gay main character. The gender and orientation of the author are not considered in determining the book’s eligibility.

Betty Berzon Prize for Debut Fiction—Novels, novellas, or short story collections by authors who have not previously published a book of fiction. Anthologies are not eligible. Authors who have appeared in anthologies are eligible, as long as they have not published a volume identified as theirs alone.

Erotica—Anthologies, novels, memoirs, short story collections whose content is principally of an erotic nature.

General Fiction—Novels, novellas, and short story collections. May include historical novels, graphic novels, cross-genre works of fiction, and other styles of fiction. Anthologies are not eligible.
Memoir/Biography—Posthumously published authors or those with co-authors are eligible. Anthologies are not eligible.

Mystery— Novels, novellas, and short story collections that adhere to the criteria of a “mystery,” as defined by the Mystery Writers of America: “A mystery is considered to be any novel in which a crime, or a series of crimes, are an integral part of the story." Anthologies are not eligible.

Poetry—Single volumes, selected and collected poems are eligible. Chapbooks are not eligible.

Romance— Novels, novellas, and short story collections that adhere to the criteria of a “romance.” As defined by the Romance Writers of America: “A romance is defined as a work of fiction with two critical elements: a central love relationship and a positive ending stating or implying a commitment between the two characters.” Anthologies are not eligible.

ADDITIONAL CATEGORIES (2)

Bisexual—Fiction and nonfiction: novels, short story collections, anthologies, poetry, memoirs, cultural studies, public policy, law, history, spirituality, gender studies, etc.

Transgender—Fiction and nonfiction: novels, short story collections, anthologies, poetry, memoirs, cultural studies, public policy, law, history, spirituality, gender studies, etc.

LGBT CATEGORIES (6)

LGBT Anthology—Collections of fiction, poetry, and/or nonfiction are eligible.

LGBT Children’s/Young Adult—Fiction, nonfiction, picture books, poetry, and anthologies—whose intended audience are young readers—are all eligible.

LGBT Drama—Plays that have been published in book/script form during 2008. Collections of plays and anthologies of plays are eligible.

LGBT Nonfiction—Books and subjects for the general reader, e.g. histories, politics, community organizations, humor, parenting, religion, spirituality, relationships, psychology, travel, etc.

LGBT Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror—Novels, novellas, short story collections, and anthologies are eligible.

LGBT Studies—Scholarly work oriented toward academia, libraries, cultural professionals, and the more academic reader.

PLEASE NOTE NEW ADDRESS FOR SUBMISSIONS:

Lambda Literary Awards
5482 Wilshire Blvd, #1595
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Gay Writers Respond to Proposition 8’s Win in California

By Wendy Werris -- Publishers Weekly, 11/6/2008 7:42:00 AM

California’s Proposition 8, the controversial anti-gay-marriage measure that was fought furiously on both sides for several months and included Tricycle Press’s children’s book King & King as a negative spin in supporters’ TV commercials, won a stunning victory on November 4 in the state’s election. Gay writers responded to the win with outrage, concern and heartbreak.

John Rechy, the Los Angeles-based PEN International Award-winning gay author expressed a sense of outrage and betrayal by the passing of Prop. 8. Noting what he called fear tactics used by its backers in their ads, Rechy said, “Of course it helped Prop. 8 to use a harmless children’s book (King & King) about gay marriage in its campaign of minority intolerance. My fear now is that all of gay literature will be more closely scrutinized, and that free speech will become even more endangered.” Rechy and his partner of more than 30 years were recently married.

Although the head of the California Teacher’s Association stated on many occasions during the campaign that marriage is not taught in schools, Prop. 8’s supporters seemed to state otherwise in their ads that used King as an example of what information children would be privy to if gay marriage was not banned in California. Charles Flowers, executive director of the LAMBDA Literary Foundation that supports the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender book communities, noted the complexities that lie ahead because of this misinformation. “The use of a children’s book definitely worked in Prop. 8’s favor,” he said. “Now that it’s passed, these people have instilled a lot of fear in the minds of parents about text adoptions and gay-themed books in schools. This will put gay teachers under much more scrutiny as well.” Flowers is also concerned about the legal limbo the passing of Proposition 8 has put California’s 22,000 married gay couples in.

Novelist Christopher Rice, president of the board of the LAMBDA Literary Foundation, is well aware of the power of the written word. “The image of a kid holding a book (about gay marriage) is profound. Unfortunately, the backers of Prop. 8 used King as an example of how a young mind can be corrupted, rather than how it can be opened.” Rice also blames the measure’s backers for using the book in a dishonest way, saying it’s opened a “psychic wound” in gay writers everywhere who are on the frontlines of unfiltered and candid information about the way they live their lives.
Only children who are signed up for Comprehensive Sex Education in California schools are taught about gay relationships and sex. “This decision is entirely up to the parents,” Rice continued. “The backers of Prop. 8 distorted the truth about this.”

Another gay California writer, novelist Dorothy Allison, married her longtime partner on November 1.

“My heart is breaking,” she said. “The way the pro-8 spokespeople concentrated on how gay marriage could be a threat to kids... that was the big thing. They propagandized the loving theme of King by turning it into a fearful message to parents.”

http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6612061.html?nid=2286&source=link&rid=1392992134

TRANSITIONS AND MILESTONES

MATTHEW BAJKO, assistant editor at San Francisco-based BAY AREA REPORTER, won two 3rd place awards at the San Francisco Peninsula Press Club’s 31st annual awards dinner.

CURVE, the nation’s best-selling lesbian magazine, launched its newly redesigned website – CURVEMAG.COM – last month.

DANN DULIN, senior editor of A&U magazine, was a guest on the 4th annual POZ Cruise last month, embarking on a 7-day journey through the Caribbean. Dulin will be writing a story about the cruise and its founder, PAUL STALBAUM.

GAY LIST DAILY, an online publication available at GAYLISTDAILY.COM, launched a new localized Los Angeles edition last month. City-specific editions already include New York and Dallas.

GARETH KIRKBY, former associate publisher and managing editor of Ottawa, Ont.-based CAPITAL XTRA, has shifted responsibilities within Canada’s PINK TRIANGLE PRESS. He is now the editor in chief at THE GUIDE, the company’s U.S.-based gay travel and politics magazine. He continues his work as producer and editor in chief of XTRA.CA. MARCUS MCCANN, former news editor of CAPITAL XTRA, has been promoted to associate publisher and managing editor.

OUTHISTORY.ORG, a new website on LGBT history, made its official debut on Oct. 21.

POLITICAL IQ is the new name of the syndicated column LESBIAN NOTIONS. The name change reflects that the column is an LGBT-themed op-ed, and not lesbian-specific. Distributed by Q SYNDICATE, co-publisher of PRESS PASS Q, the column is written by veteran journalist DIANE SILVER.

POSITIVELY AWARE magazine has released its special World AIDS Day edition, which includes an interview with former UN special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa STEPHEN LEWIS.

DAMON ROMINE, director of entertainment media at the GAY & LESBIAN ALLIANCE AGAINST DEFAMATION [GLAAD], wed CHARLES ROBBINS, executive director of the TREVOR PROJECT, on Nov. 2 in Palm Springs, Calif., after nine years together. It was a double wedding with Romine’s father and his partner of 16 years.

SHEWIRED.COM, a new website for women, was launched last month by REGENT MEDIA, parent company of GAYWIRED MEDIA.

[Editor’s note: Are there important changes going on at your publication? E-mail the information to editor@PressPassQ.com.]

Courtesy: PressPassQ (http://www.presspassq.com/ppq.cfm)

PRESSING QUESTIONS: Jane and Jane magazine

PRESSING QUESTIONS: Jane and Jane magazine of Sacremento, Calif.by Derrik Chinn

Geographic coverage area: National

Year founded: 2006

Staff size and breakdown: 2 publishers, editor in chief, and sales rep.; everyone else is freelance

Size of office space: The staff works from home, the publishers are in Sacramento, and the editor and salesperson in San Francisco

Physical dimensions of publication: 8.375” x 10.875”

Key demographics: Lesbians and bisexual women in their 30s and 40s

Print run: 20,700 audited

******
Press Pass Q: What part of Jane and Jane is the most popular?

Editor in chief Maria de la O: Relationships, because everybody wants to know if their relationship is “normal.” I think that’s one reason why Cosmo has done so well over the years. And travel, because apparently gay people like to travel. A lot.

PPQ: What challenge has Jane and Jane overcome over the past few years?

de la O: Reaching the demographic. Get to the women who do not frequent clubs and parties. We don’t have anything against parties; it’s just that we’re more interested in women who are a little older, are a little more established in their careers, and who don’t necessarily go out to clubs every weekend. We essentially target women who are in their 30s and 40s, rather than in their 20s.

PPQ: How does a lesbian magazine best reach out to women in their 30s and 40s?

de la O: We’re trying a range of things, from posting a page on Facebook to getting on the road and visiting Pride events all over the country. I think our publishers went to about seven Pride events this summer. Then this winter, there will be gay ski weeks and so on. We’re just really trying to meet people face to face, or at least meet them online through their friends and friends of friends.

PPQ: What current issues would you say interest that demographic of lesbians?

de la O: Daily life, finances, relationships, and health. It’s more about cocooning than about the bar scene. It’s not that our readers aren’t political – we actually have an ongoing legal section written by Kate Kendell from the National Center for Lesbian Rights and political articles written by our Washington, D.C., correspondent – but our readers definitely have the long view about politics.

PPQ: How has Jane and Jane changed since it was first launched?

de la O: I suppose the biggest change was with the September/October issue, which is our first paid, nationally distributed newsstand issue. Up until now we’ve been free and on the West Coast. It was also my first issue as editor in chief. The magazine was redesigned. It was a larger issue than ever before at 100 pages, and it had some new sections including fitness and more celebrity coverage.

PPQ: How did the magazine's appearance change with its recent redesign?

de la O: The magazine is larger in page count. It’s perfect-bound now rather than saddle-stiched. The body font is different – it’s a little more delicate looking. There are new sidebar styles. There’s more white space. More photography. It feels like something you’d keep on your coffee table rather than something you would read and throw away quickly.

PPQ: Based on your experience, what would you say are some of the hurdles every new editor in chief faces?

de la O: Gaining the trust of those you work with. I’ve worked at a lot of magazines, and I’ve seen people sometimes working at cross purposes. Somehow I’ve managed to convince everyone here that I know what I’m doing and to follow my lead.

PPQ: On the Kinsey Scale of 0-6, how gay is Jane and Jane?

de la O: How about “post-gay”? What I mean is, we basically assume that you’re a lesbian or bisexual if you’re reading Jane and Jane, and that perspective informs every story that we do. But a lot of our stories could almost be in O magazine or another high-quality women’s magazine. Not every story has an obvious lesbian angle, but a gay perspective is inherent in everything we do.

PPQ: What is the most surprising thing a reader has ever said?

de la O: The publishers have told me that people sometimes come up to them at events and misstate the magazine’s title as “Jane on Jane,” which would be quite a different magazine, I think.

[Editor’s note: Each installment of the feature Pressing Questions puts the spotlight on a different GLBT media outlet. If you are interested in being featured, send an email to editor@PressPassQ.com with the subject line “Pressing Questions.”]

Courtesy: PressPassQ (http://www.presspassq.com/ppq.cfm)

Editor of Pittsburgh’s Out remembered

When Jeff Howells, the editor of Pittsburgh’s Out newspaper, did not show up for work on Sept. 2, publisher Tony Molnar-Strejeck stopped by his home and discovered his body sprawled across the main staircase. Officials later ruled that Howells had suffered from a heart attack several days earlier.

Howells, who just turned 50 in July, had served the newspaper for over 20 years and was promoted to editor in chief in 2006. He was known as a hardworking employee, a devoted friend, and a fearless warrior against adversity.

“Jeff took pride in his work and this can be seen in every published issue of Out over the past several years,” said Molnar-Strejeck. “His beautiful smile, charm, and wicked sense of humor will be deeply missed, but not forgotten.”

Howells began his career in 1986 when he became a part-time editorial assistant. In less than a year, he was promoted to copy editor. Before the end of the decade, he was promoted again to managing editor. Molnar-Strejeck links Howells’ ability to succeed in the industry with his immeasurable drive and flawless work ethic.

But the world Howells grew to understand began to collapse in late 2007. In December, his relationship with his partner of more than 20 years ended. Earlier this year, his mother passed away. Yet, with these hardships, Howells continued to focus on his work and was excited about the future of Out.

“Jeff has left behind a legacy,” said Molnar-Strejeck. “His mark on our 36-year-old newspaper will always be felt and never forgotten. His shoes will be difficult, if not impossible, to fill.”

David Doorley, executive editor of Out, will be taking over most of Howells’ responsibilities. Doorley has worked with Out for over 25 years. Out has also hired a new editorial assistant and proofreader in the hopes of filling the gap left behind by the loss.

Services were held at a funeral home in Russellton, Penn., on Sept. 7. As Howells was an avid lover of animals, donations can be sent in his name to the Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania, 6620 Hamilton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206.

— Matthew E. Pilecki

Courtesy: PressPassQ (http://www.presspassq.com/ppq.cfm)

Windy City Times goes all out online

Chicago's Windy City Times is still publishing in print, but the entire issue of the publication is also now available online. Readers can now download the paper in its complete form as a PDF file.

“We've been doing it for a few months,” said publisher Tracy Baim. But with significant recent growth, now up to 1,000 downloads per week, Baim said it was time to fully promote the new feature. “It's a good option for those who want to look at the paper at work or on the train on the way home as well as for readers in the suburbs where it's more difficult to get the physical paper.”

In fact, Windy City Times launched the online project late last year, starting to post a PDF document. “We've been tweaking it ever since,” Baim explained. More recently, “We've added more color and links to the advertisers' websites.”

Windy City Times [www.windycitytimes.com] publishes Night Spots, which is also available online. About 300 readers download that publication each week.

Print issues of Windy City Times and Night Spots will continue to be distributed from more than 500 outlets in the Chicago area. The Window City Media Group website [www.windycitymediagroup.com] has more than 20,000 archived articles, dating back 10 years.
Explaining the online feature, Baim said, “Readers didn't just want the text versions online. They actually like the visual assistance, the way a print publication prioritizes stories, the whole visual look of a paper. Most readers view the text version of articles, but want print guidance.”

The changes mean that readers of the publication's online version are able to read not only the articles, but also see the advertisements. Plus, the ads are clickable. Readers can link to advertisers' websites.

“This feature is a huge perk to our advertisers because as consumers read the ads, they are able to click directly to advertisers’ sites to buy tickets, read further information about events or products, or to find out more about their organization,” said marketing director Kathleen Ulm in a statement. The online version is also good for advertisers looking for the “maximum exposure” and is a “valuable service to the LGBT community,” extending the reach of the paper locally and nationally.

Better yet, few cost increases resulted from the online endeavor. “It only adds a few hours of work across three different jobs, with no real costs on the production end,” Baim said.
So far there have been no increases in advertising rates. “If we started to see a bigger jump [of downloads], that might warrant an increase,” Baim said.

One challenge has presented itself. “We're trying to get verified audits to start tracking downloads as part of the verification process,” she explained. “Some auditors are slow to embrace the digital technology. We may have to get a different company to do the online audit.”

In related news, Windy City Times employees all now work remotely from home. The move took effect in the middle of July, prompted in part by the summer’s rising gas prices.
Still, there were other considerations, she explained. “Productivity and morale. … For some people, their creative peak is midnight. For others, it is 6 a.m. This way we get more work out of people at their productive times.”

Staffers see each other in person during a weekly meeting. Meanwhile, Baim said, “People can access servers from home to produce the paper. We proof it from the PDF file, remotely.”

— Chuck Colbert

Courtesy PressPassQ (http://www.presspassq.com/ppq.cfm)

Lesbian Bloggers' '8 Against 8 Campaign' Exceeds Goal in Battle to Defeat Gay Marriage Ban

By Lianne Stokes

A grassroots online fundraising campaign against Proposition 8 by eight lesbian bloggers has already shattered its fundraising goal less than midway through the campaign.

Three days ago, eight lesbian bloggers set out to raise $8,000 in eight days to help defeat Proposition 8, the ballot initiative that seeks to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in the State of California.

Bloggers Grace Chu and Grace Rosen of Grace the Spot, Pam Spaulding of Pam’s House Blend, Dorothy Snarker of Dorothy Surrenders, Lori Hahn of Hahn At Home, Kelly Leszczynski of The Lesbian Lifestyle, Sinclair of Sugarbutch Chronicles, Riese of This Girl Called Automatic Win, and Renee Gannon of Lesbiatopia formed the 8 Against 8 Campaign to call on the public to donate to the "No to Prop. 8” campaign and help defeat the anti-gay marriage measure come Election Day, which if it passes, will nullify thousands of now legal same sex marriages and make it illegal once again for lesbian and gay couples to marry in California.

What happened next exceeded their expectations.

Donations started rolling in by the thousands of dollars per day. Less than three full days into the campaign, the eight bloggers against Prop 8 reached their initial goal of $8,000.

“I am still in shock at how quickly and effectively the community responded to the 8 Against 8 campaign,” said Renee Gannon of www.lesbiatopia.com. “The money donated and the excitement generated in three short days have far surpassed what I ever could have imagined that we would accomplish in eight days, never mind three.”
The eight bloggers intend to continue raising money for No on Prop 8 through the “8 Against 8” campaign, expressing the urgency of fighting Proposition 8.

“We’re going to keep ‘8 Against 8’ going for the full eight days,” said Grace Chu of www.gracethespot.com and www.afterellen.com.

“Equality California’s No on Prop 8 campaign needs every cent they can get to defeat this atrocious ballot initiative,” she continued. “We cannot afford to lose our momentum in this crucial time leading up to the election. We’ve smashed our goal of $8,000. Now let’s keep the donations coming in to smash Proposition 8.”
Dorothy Snarker of http://dorothysurrenders.blogspot.com and www.afterellen.com echoed Chu’s sentiments. "Reaching our goal in three days is amazing and a testament to the generosity and passion of all of our readers,” said Snarker. “But just because we reached $8,000 doesn't mean we should stop pushing for more. Polls show the 'Yes' and 'No' votes are almost dead-even. We can't let intolerance win because we couldn't afford to fight hatred head-on."

L. A. Vess, Managing Editor of GayWired Media, which includes the lesbian-oriented site SheWired.com, stated: "The fight to defeat Prop 8 and other initiatives like it across the country now and in the future truly has to begin at the individual level. These bloggers are doing what we should all do when we are moved by a cause and see our human rights in danger -- get out on the front lines and make things happen. Sitting on the sidelines just isn't going to cut it anymore. I applaud these extraordinary women for their dedicated efforts to protect equality for all."

The 8 Against 8 fundraising effort continues through October 27th. Donations can be made at the following URL: www.8against8.com. 100% of all donations made through “8 Against 8” goes directly to Equality California’s No on Prop 8 campaign.

* With additions by Ann Turner

Originally published by gaywired.com

Top Gay Activist Blogger Goes Public with Investigation Into Senator Mitch McConnell

Mike Rogers, Founder of Proud of Who We Are, Calls on Senate Minority Leader to Produce Undisclosed Documents About His Abrupt Military Departure

WASHINGTON, Oct 23, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- America's top gay activist blogger, Mike Rogers, went public today with his investigation into Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (KY). Rogers called on the Senator to release his military records -- including documentation of the reason McConnell was discharged from the Army in the midst of the Vietnam War -- one day after the Lexington Herald-Leader reported that Kentucky's former Attorney General Greg Stumbo came forward with questions of his own for McConnell.

Rogers has made a career of investigating suspected, closeted, anti-gay public officials, including Senator Larry Craig (ID) and Reps. Mark Foley (FL) and Ed Schrock (VA). He is the founder of Proud of Who We Are, an organization that encourages closeted, anti-gay politicians to serve proudly as gay Americans, regardless of their political party.

Rogers has taken six trips to Kentucky in the last several months to investigate long-standing questions about McConnell's military service. Rogers has visited numerous towns, spoken with dozens of people, and spent hours pouring over archived public records.

Rogers has discovered inconsistencies in McConnell's public Army records and is the first investigative reporter to note the differing answer to a section of the records titled "Transcript of Court Martial." While every other section of McConnell's records without information states "n/a," this particular section uniquely states, "not on file." "Alone," said Rogers, "this court martial information may be insignificant, but it warrants further investigation when coupled with my other research."

"I've investigated enough to conclude that there are serious questions surrounding Senator McConnell's military service, and I think Kentuckians deserve answers," Rogers continued. "It's worth noting that next month Senator McConnell could become the highest-ranking Republican at the federal level. To have an anti-gay politician as the standard bearer of his party when there are unanswered questions about his military service is something I think the American people simply will not tolerate. After all, this is the same man who threw Larry Craig under the bus while supporting confessed adulterer David Vitter. Suspicions about McConnell were raised then, and he's yet to answer them."

The records Rogers has been able to obtain indicate that McConnell enlisted in the U.S. Army in March of 1967 and was abruptly discharged four months later for a minor medical condition. His discharge was expedited by the claim that he needed to be released quickly to attend New York University. NYU records indicate that McConnell never applied to the school, and at the time of his discharge he had already earned a law degree from the University of Kentucky.

Rogers has also reviewed phone records showing a flurry of calls from the office of McConnell's patron in the U.S. Senate at the time, Senator John Sherman Cooper, in the days immediately preceding McConnell's discharge. The calls abruptly stopped shortly before McConnell was discharged.

In addition to repeatedly refusing to publicly address his military record, Senator McConnell makes no mention of his time in the service on either his Senate or campaign websites.

"Senator McConnell's story just doesn't add up," said Rogers. "I encourage him to consider facts and the truth his allies, not a problem. A speedy release of his records and openness with the public is the only thing that will help clear this matter up once and for all."

The Human Rights Campaign has given McConnell a zero rating for his anti-gay rights voting agenda in the Senate. His uneven treatment of the sex scandals of Republican Senators Larry Craig and David Vitter received a great deal of attention last year. The New York Times reported that McConnell threatened Craig with a far-reaching ethics committee investigation and embarrassing public hearings about his sexual encounters if Craig refused to resign. McConnell also stripped Craig of his positions on powerful Senate committees. Vitter, who paid for services from a female prostitute, faced no similar reprimands from the Senate Minority Leader.

SOURCE ProudofWhoWeAre.org
http://www.proudofwhoweare.org

Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

Positively Aware magazine releases special World AIDS Day edition

Chicago, Illinois – October 23, 2008 – In commemoration of World AIDS Day, the November/December issue of Positively Aware magazine takes a look at some of the individuals who are making a difference in the fight against HIV. World AIDS Day takes place every year on December 1, with leadership as this year’s theme.

PA hears from three individuals working in the HIV community about what leadership means to them, including Stephen Lewis, author and co-director of AIDS Free World and former United Nations Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa; Julie Davids, the founding executive director of Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project (CHAMP); and Heidi Nass, a national HIV treatment advocate and woman living with HIV.

“Although it’s easy enough to be a self appointed leader, I believe the HIV/AIDS movement needs leaders who are effective in two ways,” says Davids, “by their actions, and by their commitment to bringing out the leadership in others.”

The issue also features a profile of YouthAIDS ambassador Seane Corn, who’s featured on the cover. Corn, a nationally celebrated yoga instructor known for her passionate, dynamic, and inspirational style of teaching that incorporates both the physical and spiritual aspects of the yoga practice, has made it her mission to educate others on the HIV/AIDS crisis, and to help reduce the fear, ignorance, and discrimination often associated with HIV/AIDS.

Also in this issue: an update from the XVII International AIDS Conference, which took place in Mexico City earlier this year; a report on what’s known—and not known—about cardiovascular disease in HIV; and a closer look at the controversy, raised by a recent statement issued by a panel of Swiss experts, on whether having undetectable HIV viral load translates to a significant reduction in the transmission of HIV.

Positively Aware is an internationally known and respected magazine devoted to HIV treatment and health. Positively Aware has a circulation of 85,000, and is published bi-monthly by Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) in Chicago. Founded in 1987, TPAN is Chicago’s oldest peer-led AIDS service organization and specializes in peer-led treatment information and support services. Visit www.tpan.com.

A Hint of Homosexuality Wins Top Publishing Honors; Book Chronicles 'Gender Ambiguity' in American Advertising

RACINE, WI (10-22-08)--Professor Bruce H. Joffe's book A Hint of Homosexuality? Gay and Homoerotic Imagery in American Print Advertising (Xlibris: 2007) has been named "Winner" and best book in the Gay/Lesbian: Non-Fiction category of The National Best Books 2008 Awards competition sponsored by USA Book News.

Earlier this year, the title was honored as a Bronze Medalist in the Gay/Lesbian category of the 12th annual (2008) IPPY Awards Competition. Featuring reproductions of classic print advertisements and Joffe's tongue-in-cheek commentary, the book asserts that ideas about homosexuality can be traced in print advertisements appearing in American periodicals from as far back as a century ago.

The author examines trends, themes and advertising campaigns that, he contends, support a basis for believing romantic and/or sexual interest between members of the same sex appeared in ads published by American newspapers and magazines.

Explicit or implied, impressions of homosexuality in more than 225 advertisements published by major manufacturers, retailers, companies and well-known brands over the past hundred years or so are depicted and assessed.

Some same-sex ads are "strangely erotic while others may be silly caricatures, more burlesque than bizarre," holds Joffe. By and large, however, he says, "most tend to be snapshots of the male (and, to a lesser extent, female) convivial spirit observed in intimate conditions and circumstances."

A professor of communication at Carthage College (Kenosha, WI), Cardinal Stritch University (Milwaukee, WI), Mary Baldwin College (Staunton, VA), and earlier at George Mason University (Fairfax, VA), who's focused on gay and lesbian studies, Joffe says that he has tried to temper his academic research with a more popular voice.

A Hint of Homosexuality? (Trade Paperback ISBN 978-1-4257-6466-1; also published in hard cover: ISBN 978-1-4257-6510-1) is available from all online booksellers.
Author royalties from this book benefit the Commercial Closet Association, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization working to influence the world of advertising to understand, respect and include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) references to achieve a more accepting society while achieving successful business results.

An excerpt is posted at www.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.asp?bookid=40500. Review copies are available from the author. Contact: Bruce H. Joffe,
Telephone: 262-456-2740, E-Mail: bjoffe@mbc.edu

Bound for an independent future

After nearly a decade of independent stores falling under the crushing weight of big box stores and retail Internet, IndieBound.com is bringing Main Street back to life.

Launched last week the new interactive community is packed with a variety of options to connect from the usual profile building to becoming an affiliate to banners and blinkies for blogs and Web sites and of course books, coffee spots, and other independent retailers and businesses. Memberships is free and for each favorite indie place tagged as a personal favorite or added to the site garners points towards gifts.

The American Bookseller’s Association’s expanded IndieBound.com’s, formerly BookSense.com, reach beyond bibliophiles to help people who love independent stores connect across the United States. IndieBound.com’s goals are for people to share and find independently-owned businesses by connecting indie-conscious people with local business, according to an e-mail announcement inviting members to sign up.

Some of IndieBound.com’s new features include:

· Sitewide search. Just type anything into the "Search IndieBound.org" box on the right side of every page, and away you go! This searches IndieBound.org pages, stores, community members, articles, and more.
· Manually Arrange Your Friends & Favorite Indie Stores. Now community members can sort their friends & favorite stores to appear in the order they choose. Just click on "ARRANGE/EDIT MY FAVORITES" or "ARRANGE/EDIT MY FRIENDS LIST" on your profile page.
· Stores Shared by Each Member. Each profile page (including your own) now includes a button you can click to see stores shared by that community member, as well as how many fans and reviews each has.

Got an indie retail story to share? IndieBound.com is accepting submissions until September 30 for stories about what makes independent retail so great. Stories can be submitted with "My Indie Experience" in the subject line to staff@indiebound.org.

For more information, visit IndieBound.

What is a blurb worth?

Can you put a price tag on a blurb? Apparently you can.

Blurbings LLC, a new book publishing marketing Web site, is out to “provide authors the opportunity” to obtain “acknowledgement” and “recognition” for their “creative works,” according to the company’s mission statement on its Web site.

Founded by writers, according to the Web site, Blurbings was created to ease the “arduous and costly process of book promotion.” How does Blurbings do that? By easing the weight of the cost to authors to purchase a blurb, which Blurbings’ founders estimate is between $14 and $23. Granted, it is noted printing of galleys, packaging, and mailing fees is included in this estimate.

There’s a secret to obtaining blurbs. While Rachel Donadio pointed out in the Aug. 15 New York Times Book Review essay, He Blurbed, She Blurbed, that “blurbs are more often than not from the writer’s best friends, colleagues, or teachers, or from authors who share the same editor, publisher or agent,” in the small an self-publishing world this is only partially true.

In the small and self-publishing world, blurbs cost tired eyes from pulling together a list of friends, acquaintances, and industry professionals (i.e. writers who have written similar subjects and anyone whom might benefit from the book) and finger cramps (if you work on an old typewriter or don’t know how export contacts from Outlook or Access to Excel or how to use mail merge) from typing a request to read a chapter or two of the forthcoming book, if not an entire galley, and a follow up phone call or e-mail or two to check in about receiving their esteemed commentary.

Blurbings claims to “eliminate the hassle of finding prospective authors,” but professional and even part-time writers and small publishers are already plugged into their genre and particular subject (i.e. writer’s already know who the esteemed colleagues in their niche are). So, depending on how plugged in and how technologically savvy a small publisher or self-published author is the total cost to do-it-yourself is possibly two to eight hours (just to be generous) and however much the Web and book designer charge. Cost of packaging and production, might be more expensive these days—not due to rising paper prices—but due to technology. The cost drops the more efficient and effectively the savvy small and self-published author is with utilizing resources, especially the Internet’s various fast and low-cost marketing and communication tools from e-mail to social networking sites.

Blurbings seems to be a one-time cost that isn’t integrated into the rest of the book marketing structure and tools an individual writer or small publisher should already have established or at least in the works of being established. Today’s small publisher or self-published author, if they are smart, should already be utilizing technology from print-on-demand to Internet campaigns, which are eco- and pocket book-friendly, so Blurbings founders’ jumping on the environmental bandwagon aren’t doing anything that small publishers and self-publishers haven’t been doing since desktop publishing came to the small press market, but it’s nice that they will “plant a tree” for every order of a “Seeker Package.”

Blurbings is a nice idea, but it is uncertain if it will take off. First of all, the organizers of Blurbings don’t even identify themselves, so how do writers really know Blurbings is organized by fellow writers? Second, the company doesn’t have a sample list of writers who have contributed commentary about the books currently on the site. Third, there isn’t a way to track or distinguish if the potential reviewer commenting on a book is qualified to do so. This can lead to problems, as, Donadio wrote, “Asking for blurbs—and being rejected—can lead to the kinds of hurt feelings and fallings-out more common in romance” and that is among close contacts.