Ryan Field's Blog, page 571

Monday Release: Rough, Naked, and in Love

Monday is the release day for my new novel, ROUGH, NAKED, AND IN LOVE. I've posted an unedited version of the back cover copy below, and I'll post more about it next week, but I wanted to at least get something down now before it gets really busy again...or before I go off on another tangent with a different topic.

This novel is a little different than past novels I've written. I depended a lot on back story this time throughout the book, which is something I'm not fond of doing. I think depending on back story too much is lazy writing. But I did it this time because a good deal of the main character's present situation is so dependent on his past there really wasn't any other way to handle it without writing two novels. But I made the back story short and sweet, and I hope as interesting as possible.

When Carter decides to build a new relationship with dependable, knowledgeable Jeff, he tries to put aside his past and forget the ten magical years of gay marriage he had with his deceased husband, Domenic. He wants to let go of the grief and all the painful emotions, including the imaginary conversations he has with his dead husband when no one else is around.

But when Carter and Jeff move from Los Angeles to New York to begin their new lives as a couple, Carter notices a few basic flaws in their relationship. And when they both begin to realize it's impossible for two submissive gay bottoms to have a satisfying sex life, Jeff brings home a powerful sex machine he hopes will solve their problems. At the very least, they won't have to argue anymore over whose turn it is be on top.

For a short time, things calm down and both seem satisfied. Jeff enjoys his new work in New York and he becomes best friends with the neighbor across the hall, a classic fag hag named Celeste. While Jeff is busy working hard and going bird-watching with Celeste, Carter is busy with his new job teaching sculpting classes at The School of Visual Arts. Carter is happy to be back in New York, near his colorful mother again, teaching in the same place where he once went to school.

But when Carter finally wears out the powerful motor in the sex machine and Jeff decides not to replace the machine with another, Carter quietly replaces the sex machine on his own, with frozen zucchini and exhibitionist fantasies on his terrace. He even starts having more imaginary conversations with his dead husband, Domenic. And although these conversations help him deal with his problems, he eventually finds comfort with his new best friend, Bruce, who just happens to be Celeste's handsome young husband from across the hall.

Though Bruce is seven years younger than Carter, and an ex-professional boxer, they both seem to have two important things in common: they are trapped in sexless, hopeless marriages and both crave emotional affection. But while Bruce is trying to come to terms with his feelings for Carter, Carter is still trying to let go of the horrible events of his past. And as things become even more complicated thanks to a few unexpected life-altering events, neither one of them is sure what the future holds. Or if the strong, emotional love they've discovered will be enough to build a lifetime of substance.

Mark Zuckerberg, Boxers or Briefs, and Technical Problems With E-books

First off, I just heard the new short story e-book, JOLLY ROGER, will be released on March 4th. Like I just said, it's a short story and it will be priced like a short story...just so that's clear and no one thinks they are getting a full length novel. Amazon isn't always clear in their product descriptions, but online stores like allromanceebooks.com and fictionwise.com always give all the details. So check them out, with this book or any other book you're thinking of purchasing.

And, thanks to two facebook friends, Pat and Lisa, I learned there are two Chapter Fives in THE VIRGIN BILLIONAIRE'S SECRET BABY. (I don't think there are actually two copies of Chapter Five; just two different chapters with Chapter Five headings.)I don't always read the finished book. After writing a book, going back and forth about edits with the publisher, and triple checking the final copy for approval before it becomes an actual e-book, I know the book so well I can recite passages verbatim. However, there are sometimes technical problems when manuscripts are converted into digital books. And these are usually basic problems that often slip through the cracks. It happened once with the spelling of a character's name in AMERICAN STAR, Terrence and Terrance. In part of the book it's Terrance, in other parts it's Terrence. I didn't even know this until a sweet book reviewer decided to make a funny-ha-ha, twirl-your-finger-in-the-air joke about it.

Unfortunately, it happened again in VBSB with Chapter Five.

I wish I could go into more detail and explain the technical aspects better. However, as I've posted before in Why Make E-Readers More Complicated Than They Are , I know how to write e-books, I know how to turn an e-reader on and download and e-book, and I know how to read an e-book. But if you ask me about DRM, formatting, or anything else that's techinical and worthy of a good long nap, I'm just going to smile and change the subject. In other words, if I were to meet the adorable Mark Zuckerberg in person, instead of asking him questions about how he started facebook I'd be wondering more about whether or not he wears boxers or briefs. Thankfully, I think most of my readers would agree with me. (And I'd bet on boxers.)

Hawaiian Legislature Approves Same-Sex Civil Unions

I know a lot of people are happy about same-sex civil unions. At least their relationships are validated in the eyes of the law and they can benefit just like married couples.

Hawaiian legislature just approved civil unions. You can read about it here.

But frankly I'm still fighting for equality and the right to marry just like everyone else. It's the only issue I'll ever discuss openly on this blog. And when I read books, like one I just finished by a new author, S. L. Danielson, I'm even more encouraged to fight for marriage.

Like I said, civil unions are okay. At least it allows us to ride in the back of the bus, President Obama/Federal Government. However, I'd rather have the legal choice to ride up front with everyone else instead of being treated like a second class citizen.

Pierre's Chocolates: My Home Away From Home

Everyone has something in which they indulge. Chocolate is mine.

And I happen to live in a town with one of the best chocolate shops in the country, Pierre's Chocolates.

It's on the same order as Sees in San Francisco, only better for me because it's only three miles and one quick left turn. And there's an online store where you can order anything you like.

Borders Files For Bankruptcy...But Don't Worry About Kobo!

Borders finally filed for Chapter 11. Here's the link from PW: Borders

I don't think anyone is majorly surprised by this. Actually, I don't think anyone would be majorly surprised at anything that happens within the publishing industry these days. It's changing daily, and unfortunately not enough people were smart enough to predict and plan for these changes. And this is one time I don't think we can blame it on the economy. This was a combination of greed, denial, arrogance, and absolute ignorance on so many levels it would be hard to point the finger in any direction.

However, Kobo claims they are financially secure and people who own Kobo e-readers are safe. Even though Borders has a small share in Kobo, it has nothing to do with how Kobo operates. If anything I can't help wondering whether or not Kobo will wind up helping Borders out of their financial problems, by restructuring the business toward more realistic goals and letting go of old traditions that haven't been getting them anywhere. Here's a great link that goes into more depth, with even more links.

And here's something I picked up at I Love My Kindle, which explains it in simple terms.

People with Kobo EBRs (E-Book Readers) would be okay. Kobo is a separate entity, although they have an association with Borders. I don't think they'd be a part of any kind of liquidation. Kobo owners would lose a source of books for their devices, but that wouldn't end the usefulness of the devices.

I love my Kobo and I'm not worried. My romance novels are still being sold at Borders.com as e-books, and I'm not worried about that either. On this link, I read, With the likelihood of fewer stores selling the Kobo e-reader (Borders and Walmart are the key retail locations for the Kobo e-reader), and the possibility of customers being spooked by buying e-books from a troubled retailer, the troubles at Borders definitely have the potential to impact Kobo. But I don't personally believe this because I see Kobo e-readers everywhere. I actually discovered mine at a local CVS Drugstore. In this case, it's a classic example of beware what you read in the internet because it's usually based on limited research.

In any event, Kobo is still the easiest e-reader to use on the market, it's still the most inexpensive, and it still has all the qualities people who aren't completely into e-reading desire. And like I said, I wouldn't be surprised at all if Kobo wound up as Border's biggest hit in the future. But then again, nothing in publishing would surprise me these days.

Another Facebook No No...

Last Saturday I opened my AOL e-mail and found 755 private messages from one author whom I do not know at all. I did some checking and found the author had made a mistake (not sure how yet) and everyone on her friend list wound up getting a personal message. And then everyone also received an e-mail whenever someone else commented on the message, which exploded into the facebook nightmare of her life.

I promptly dropped this author from facebook and deleted all 755 e-mails notifying me about comments. I didn't drop her because I was mad at her. I know she didn't do this on purpose, but I wasn't taking any more chances with her.

I have a personal rule. I don't send out private messages on facebook with multiple e-mail addresses. I don't think readers, authors, or facebook friends appreciate getting e-mails that are not related to them. Nor do they care about what other people have to say in the comments of my personal messages with multiple addresses. Life's too short.

And I don't appreciate receiving personal facebook messages addressed to multiple friends either. It's nothing personal. It has nothing to do with the author or the author's work. But a personal message isn't going to make me buy your book and it's certainly not going to make me want to help promote you as an author. It's annoying at best, downright frustrating at the least. And not only will I get annoyed, I'll back off completely and steer clear of the author.

So authors please take heed. If you think this sort of this is going to help you promote your book, you're seriously wrong. If an overpaid PR goof ever suggests this to you, kick them in the ass. Because the people you are trying to attract with these personal messages promoting your book are just going to start ignoring you.

Aggressive and friendly is one thing. I love friendly, aggressive people. But pushy, presumptuous, and rude-without-a-clue is another story. Don't piss people off. They won't forget it.

Ravenous Romance Valentine

I forgot to post this yesterday. I had good intentions, but the day got away from me. But I think it's gorgeous enough to still post today!!

Donald Trump: It's Time the LGBT Community Boycotted The Celebrity Apprentice!

Last night I was flipping through the 1,000 channels I get, looking for something decent to watch, and I stumbled across the Greta Van Susteren show and stopped to watch an interview she did with Donald Trump.

And in a matter of minutes it turned into a side show. I watched Donald Trump insult and alienate everyone from George W. Bush supporters, Jimmy Carter supporters, President Obama supporters, China, and the entire lgbt community.

Interesting. Especially because I'm not the typical gay liberal Democrat most gay men I know are. I'm a registered Independent and I vote on issues, not according to any party lines.

I'm not going to get into Trump's insults about Bush, Obama, Carter, or China. My focus remains geared toward equal rights for the lgbt community. In this case it's regarding the legalization of gay marriage, which I fully support with my last breath. And when Trump hesitated for a moment during the interview, and then flatly stated he's against gay marriage, that was enough for me.

Up until that point I've always been a fan of Donald Trump. I've respected him on many different levels. I've overlooked the fact that his own respect for the institution of marriage could be questioned, due to the fact that while most of the gay people I know have been together with their partners for the past twenty-five years, he's been getting married and divorced. Frankly, it simply goes against common sense to take anything Donald Trump says about marriage seriously. He's already lost that game and he's never going to win it back.

What I'd like to see now is a show of support within the lgbt community, and this includes their family members and friends as well. (If you don't think you know anyone who is gay, take a closer look at your cousins, your neighbors, or even they guy who fills your oil tank.) Let's all take a small step toward equality that won't cost a penny and won't take up any of our time by boycotting Trump's new season of The Celebrity Apprentice. Just stop don't watch The Celebrity Apprentice. Let Mr. Trump know we're tired of the inequality and we're not going to sit back anymore and take it.

Though I've always been a huge fan of The Celebrity Apprentice, and I always thought Mr. Trump was a decent guy, I won't watch it anymore. I won't support anything Mr. Trump is involved with either. And it's strictly because of Mr. Trump's statements about gay marriage. In this case, I don't have to remain objective. I don't think there's a more important issue out there than legalizing marriage for the lgbt community and it would be ridiculous to support anyone, in any way, who doesn't support it.

And all you have to do is boycott The Celebrity Apprentice this season.

Why Make E-Readers More Complicated Than They Are?

Here's the first thing about e-readers: they are simple to use. I'm a computer idiot and if I can use one so can anybody.

Here's the second thing: pay attention to half of what you read on the internet about e-readers and all that DRM (or whatever the hell it is) crap. It's only going to confuse you and intimidate you.

The reason I'm writing this post is because I just read another post on a review blog about what readers think of various e-reading devices and I was amazed at how complicated the answers were. Too. Much. Information. It reminds me of this guy I know who always makes everything more difficult than it has to be. Ask him to fix a flat and he'll tell you how spare tires are made.

I don't need to know how spare tires are made. I just need to know you put them on cars and the cars roll. And when I'm reading e-books I don't give a damn about DRM or freaking formatting or any of the other technical nonsense these people are always harping about.

This is what I do when I want to read an e-book. I own a Kobo. I go to Borders.com, I pick out a freaking book I like, and then I buy it. When it's downloaded to my Kobo, I sit back and read it. Click, click, click, and click. Period.

This is all there is to it.

So don't let these people who love to complicate e-reading devastate you with all kinds of jargon you don't understand and don't want to understand. I don't have to know how a car works to drive one, I don't have to know how toothpaste is made to brush my teeth, and I don't have to know every technical detail about e-readers to read an e-book.

Cover Preview: ROUGH, NAKED, AND IN LOVE

Here's the cover preview for a new book coming out on the 24th of this month, ROUGH, NAKED, AND IN LOVE. I can't believe this one is just coming out and I'm almost finished with the new sequel to my Virgin Billionaire's series: THE VIRGIN BILLIONAIRE'S REVENGE.

I'll post more on the release date about RNAIL.