Weho '06

West Hollywood Book Fair was very good this weekend. I'm thinking of doing a manloveromance booth there next year. I met the treasurer of the West Hollywood library and I'm checking to see what it'll take to get print books into the library.

I met a producer/screenwriter doing the current Stephen King horror film and she gave me tips about were to promo my vampire stuff and walked away with one of my vampire books under her arm.

Then I ate lunch with a young lady who turned out to be a journalist for the West Hollywood Reporter and she did a little tiny interview with a friend and I. We gave her business cards so she could spell the names right if she used our chat.

Then I met a woman who lives in West Hollywood who said she was a poet and literary consultant for Simon and Schuster. She gave me her card. We chatted about vampires, (she loves the metaphysical), and then she told me she was planning a TV spot about the subject and asked if she could interview me for it. I screamed yes, of course. Well, maybe not screamed but I did tell her any part of my life from this moment on that she wanted for the interview was hers. She took a copy of my vampire book with her. I don't know if any of these people were serious, but I handed out a lot of cards.

Tom of Finland had a booth with just had a little tiny tiny sign that said ADULTS ONLY next to the chained, gagged, collared, bound, naked man pictures. Cool. I didn't buy any, but I did accept the free postcard. And I spent a ton of money at the LA Coroners booth. I have a thing for chalk lines. There are so many people I think a chalk outline would look good on sometimes.


Had a delightful evening of chatting and getting to know some local authors Friday night. Saturday was spent shopping at The Pleasure Chest were I ended up giving my cards to the cashier when she expressed an interest in my writing. She promptly said she'd give it to their book buyer to check out. Then I went window shopping on Rodeo Drive. I can't believe any women in her right mind shops in 3inch heels. So all the females in Beverly Hills are insane. Period. Had dinner with my LA print publisher at The Cheesecake Factory and then went clubbing with friends. We hit the Rage, the Abby, and the Voodoo Room in West Hollywood. Soaked up all the atmosphere and fun we could along with a few drinks.

Booksigning in West Hollywood

I'm having a booksigning at the Sybartic Press Booth:

5th Annual West Hollywood Book Fair
Sunday, September 17, 2006
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
West Hollywood Park, 647 N. San Vicente Blvd.

If you live in the area, come see me!

Laura

RT Poll on M/M PLEASE GO VOTE!

RT has rejected my proposal for a m/m discussion panel this year but they are looking for reader support to make an informed decision for the future apparently.
Please go here and vote, no matter what your opinion on the subject is. Let our voice be heard. Let M/M romance for women have it's rightful place in RT's reviews.


Laura

It's a poll asking about interest in m/m
romances.

http://www.romantic times.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4005

RT rejects M/M discussion panel

Sadly, I just received word from RT that they have rejected the proposal to hold a M/M discussion panel this next year.
It was to be hosted by Kate Douglas, Joey Hill, Emily Veinglory and myself.

Here is their reasoning:

Unfortunately we are not ready to have a panel on this quite yet. Perhaps next year.
We already have a lot of erotica at our convention and we have to be sensitive to the attendees who will view this type of workshop as a departure for us.

My reply was thus:

With all due respect, actually, I do understand. I understand that you are woefully behind the times. This reasoning is inadequate to mask prejudice. Attendees who don't wish to hear about M/M erotic romance have the option not to attend the panel discussion. No one is forced to attend or to listen to anything at RT they don't want to. I'm a straight, married, Christian woman with children, in my 50's and I can't believe RT continues to deny a popular, respected and growing market. I'm disappointed in RT and so will my readers be.

To say I'm disappointed is an understatement. But possibly next year RT will be less... restrictive.

Laura