Who Gets To Decide?

On the eve of being thankful, another holiday that has become controversial because of its origin, I begin to wonder who gets to decide.
Who decides what we celebrate and why? Who decides what is right for our nation and why?
Decisions I do not take lightly- Though sometimes I fly by the seat of my pants and go with what I know- inevitably decisions are important and have the ability to effect people.
The bigger the decision maker- the more effect they have-
Some people think we should not celebrate Thanksgiving because of the treatment of our native Americans- so should we decide to erase this holiday from our calendars? Who gets to decide?

I have once again been subject to censorship- but this time it's in a very odd place. A gay magazine. Why would a magazine called The Advocate-defined as 'a person who speaks or writes in support of a cause'- censor an ad for one of my gay romances? Who decided that? There was no exposed cock, ass or even a kiss. But the picture was 'too suggestive' for their other advertising clients. Say what?? The picture of two men together is too suggestive for their ??? advertisers? Not their readers, not their staff, they are pandering to the right wing GOP? who advertise in their magazine? Sorry if I am confused. The cover design was approved by my contact in the ad department, then rejected after it was made into a complete ad and submitted. A book cover, about gay romance, rejected for being too suggestive in a gay magazine.
Who decided that?
And if they had published my book cover- would they sincerely have had a mass exodus of their high paying clients? Advertising clients who pay for ads in a gay magazine- The Advocate- known for being gay for decades- yet...we may offend a conservative advertiser.
Color me confused.
The same ad was welcomed by Attitude Magazine in the UK. They bloody loved it! (to coin a mark-ism) So my cover and ad in the United Kingdom was welcomed and accepted without hesitation.
I am only more and more aware of how the USA is becoming a haven for the conservative right. More and more sickened as the views of one slanted hateful side of our country, gains leverage in something as important to the gay community, as a gay magazine.
Who gets to decide?
One person votes yay or nay? A raise of hands?
Doesn't matter, does it? You may think Thanksgiving celebrates something not too pretty in our nation's history- good luck getting it removed from our calendar- to be honest, I don't know how I'd feel about it either way- most of our traditions are about money- oh, yes, that's right. The Advocate again. Money- not rights- censorship is okay, if it keeps money from walking away from their coffers.
I sigh in defeat. Oh well, I'll always have London...
Be safe
and remember the troops while you pig out at your dinner table.

How to treat your fans- 101

First I want to thank Mark for his help when I was fuming and struggling with what to write on this blog without making everyone angry or stirring a pot that has already overflowed and burned to the ground.

Right- now for class, students...and believe me, I'm no expert but that has never stopped me from standing in front of a crowd and giving a lecture. (sometimes making myself a fool, but what can ya do?)

Lesson 1- Like your fans-
Sounds like a no brainer. But there are ways to show your fans you like them. For example. Thank them. They are why you are here. Without them, you'd be flipping burgers.

Lesson 2- Answer your emails from you fans-
Don't ignore anyone. Just how busy are you that you can say, thanks for emailing me. I write, publish and promote a book a month yet I can still say, thank you.

Lesson 3- Give your greatest fans free things-
Look, if someone has every book you've written, give them the next one free. Really? Can't manage to send out a book or efile to show your appreciation? Why the hell not?

Lesson 4- Be true to your fans-
Tell them who you are. Don't deceive. Okay, this one Mark warned me about. But I had to say it.

Lesson 5- Your fans are intelligent people! They read for cryin out loud! Don't bore the snot out of them with the same crappy story of man meets man, man parts from man, man finds his way back to man. Come on, people. Think out of the box. Okay, my novels may not be for everyone, and like I said I am no expert, but go where no one has gone. If your novels can be cut and pasted on someone else's with only the character names changed? You write boring romance novels.

Lesson- 6- Have a sense of humor.
Laugh at yourself. So what? You messed up and had a cell phone appear in a victorian bodice ripper, oops. Have a chuckle about it. Don't take yourself too seriously.

Lesson 7-Don't sweat the crappy reviews and critics-
Most are disgruntled authors who haven't even read your book, ignore them. And never get into a pissing match.

I think these lessons above can help any author gain respect from their fans. No one is an island. Our readers need us to make them laugh, cry, or fuck like bunnies, and we need them to earn a living. So treat your fans with respect and you will live long and prosper. (Yeah, so what? Nothing wrong with science fiction.)

Be safe-

(How did I do, Mark?)
(Just fine, Ms Hauser...just fine.)

More musing from Mark Antonious

Hullo, my lovelies, yes, it's me again. GA has been struggling as of late with what she wants to rant about. She emailed me several rough drafts for this blog and they were so controversial I immediately told her to delete them. Of course you all know what a pest she is, and she does get on her soap box about things. So...
I am here in her stead.
With the winter/Christmas and spring cologne campaigns done and dusted, I have more time for my loves and my life. But too much time to think.
Another year has past, and if you ask me, much too quickly. Are we really planning New Years yet again? 2012? My word where does it go?
Many of you who know me well understand I have a hatred of time...particularly the kind of time that tacks on ten years to you and didn't even tap you on the shoulder to say, sorry, love.
Whatever you do, do not wish me a happy birthday- They are not happy- quite the contrary.
All right, enough rambling, she did say I should have some message, some point.
I do have one.
It's about cheating. No, I haven't cheated on Steven. Calm down! I won't. I think I won't. No. I won't.
Here's my point. Now that Alexander has gotten Steven and I onto a social network, which you all know and I don't have to name here...how much thinner is the line between cheating and not cheating?
If you 'poke' a man...a lot. Is that cheating? What if you share flirtatious comments? Crossing the line then?
Having been a 'pretty boy' most of my life, I have had many suitors, some wanted, some most assuredly unwanted. I've had me bottom pinched, been kissed by strange women whilst standing in a lift, had propositions of the most dirty kind, endured men sending me photos of their penises, women writing me letters begging me to date them...well, the life of a supermodel I suppose I shan't complain too loudly. But, what if someone is intriguing? No, again, calm down, my lovelies, I am not going to cheat on my husbands. Lord knows I get enough cock from them every week. But still...do any of you fantasize? Perhaps find someone intriguing and begin to wonder...
I'm afraid I do. So? Where's the line? One poke? Two? A few flirtatious comments? Sex via IM? I don't rightly know.
But as a person growing older, with a fragile ego, (yes, you all know it's true!) I suppose I crave adoration. What individual moving closer to obscurity doesn't? Don't we all want the validation that we are still desirable? Fuckable? And an individual as insecure as myself? Well, perhaps it means the world. Will I have real intercourse with someone other than my boys? No. Will I want the delicious sexy comments reaffirming I am loved and desired? Bloody yes! Sorry, lovelies, I am human after all.
So forgive me my frailties, and make that love unconditional.
To err human. To forgive? Priceless!
Perhaps next time on this blog GA can leave the ranting about events that had passed recently. She's all a hyped up and stomping her feet whilst she speaks to me on the phone. The woman acts as if the world revolves around her. It bloody well doesn't. But for now, be good boys and girls, keep loving each other, and have wonderful sex...with your darkest fantasy-
xxoo
Mark