Ryan Field's Blog, page 575

Freedom to Marry: A Great Web Site

If you haven't already seen this, there's a great web site called: FREEDOM TO MARRY. You can check it out here and there's a great post about deconstructing the anti-marriage argument I just read here by Josh Bell.

Reading online articles like this keeps us informed and ready to speak whenever we're in a situation where someone is attacking gay marriage. And if you're not very political like me, you need to know at least the basics in order to stand up for the things in which you believe. Especially nowadays, when it seems as though all the most important politicians we need on our side aren't tough enough to take an actual stand on the issue. Leave it up to the states just doesn't work for me. And I'm sorry, I simply cannot believe that you can reach the age of forty years old and not take a stand on this issue. But more than that, not if you're an ivy league graduate who went on to higher public office.

You Heard it Here First: There's a New Publishing Blog Coming Out Soon

(Update to post: Well, you heard it here second. As is usually the case, word about something new moves fast. And I just read this piece posted yesterday in Media Bistro: Jeff Rivera Discusses His New e-Book Community Site: The Gatekeepers Post But this doesn't make it any less exciting. Check out the link and read all about what's going to happen. The details are still vague, but the press release will be going out on the 31st and I'll link to it then.)

I can't say much right now, but I can say this: there's a new publishing blog coming out very soon that's being touted as The Huffington Post of the publishing industry. From good sources, I hear the blog is in the "buzzing" stages, so I can at least post this much. But that's all I can say now.

I will post as soon as the press release goes public, and very soon. I will also link to articles and pieces that are written in the blog.

From what I hear this new blog has some very impressive contributors, all seasoned industry professionals. And I've also heard it's going to be heavily focused on e-books and how e-books and e-readers are changing the industry.

I know I'm looking forward to my new Kobo e-reader, which was just shipped today. I'll post more about that, too, for anyone interested in e-readers.

High School Senior "Comes Out" in Assembly

Why I Try to Make LGBT Characters Different...Not All Gays Are Left Wing Liberals

In my fiction, one of the things I try to do is make my LGBT characters different from the typical formula we're so used to seeing. I'm not even going to single out a publisher or Hollywood this time. It's everywhere it seems. People who read this blog regularly know I remain on the sidelines, and always objective, when it comes to most issues...especially political issues...unlike most personal bloggers who blast and shout their opinions everywhere. And I always will remain objective. This is partly because I want to remain fair to my characters and partly because I want to respect the rights of all LGBT people, not just the loudest, the most visual, or the LGBT's who garner the most attention in the media. For me not to remain objective would defeat the purpose of this blog, which is to be able to write about anything, from a distance, without getting emotionally involved one way or the other.

I've commented many times how I believe the B & T, in LGBT, is often left out of many conversations, as if bi-sexuals and transgenders don't even exist. I even write about them in my books (American Star II has a strong transgender main character).

And now I'd like to comment on something I read recently happening in my own home town of New Hope, PA, where there's a huge LGBT community. And, once again, I'm not weighing in with an opinion one way or the other. I'm just reporting the facts and informing people there are many facets to being an LGBT American, and most people are only getting the bare basics from the mainstream media. This was taken from a new facebook page I saw this evening. And I thought it was worth mentioning, to show the diversity within the LGBT community.

Welcome to Log Cabin Republicans of New Hope, Pennsylvania
A gathering place for Republican LGBT supporters and Log Cabin Republicans of New Hope, Bucks County, Pennsylvania and friends.The mission of the Log Cabin Republicans is to work within the Republican Party to advocate equal rights for all Americans, including gays and lesbians."Log Cabin Republicans of Pennsylvania" and Log Cabin Republicans of New Hope Pennsylvania recognize and endorse each other! Please show your support!What is Log Cabin Republican?We stand for the proposition that all of us are created equal-worthy of the same rights to freedom, liberty, and equality.we believe in conservatismwe believe in comprehensive tax reform.we believe in revitalizing Social Security through allowing individuals to invest in their futures.we believe in a strong national defense.We believe in a strong national defense and support increased readiness for our military so that our country remains fully capable of defending itself against all enemies.we support legal immigration reforms that are fair and humane. KEY WORD: LEGAL.... IMMIGRATION! INCLUDING GAYS!we support marriage equality for all Americans.we believe in a broad, inclusive definition of family in America.we support non-discrimination in employment.we believe in market driven health reform.We are Log Cabin Republican!For additional inquiries, information, and questions, outside of this page, we can be reached at thelogcabinrepublican@gmail.com

The Virgin Billionaire's Secret Baby Now on Amazon and The Kobo E-reader

For those who shop on amazon, THE VIRGIN BILLIONAIRE'S SECRET BABY just went up with the rest of my books in the kindle store. It's also available in paperback as well.

And I just ordered another e-reader. The price was very good and I decided to get it because from what I've heard you can take out e-books from the library with this one. It's the Kobo e-reader, and it's on sale right now at Borders.com for 99.00 with free shipping. I've been watching the same Kobo e-reader in my local CVS store for about a month now. CVS has it retailing for 149.00, which is about the average price. But I didn't feel like spending that much, especially since e-readers keep going down in price. But when I saw the same e-reader at Borders for 99.00 I decided to spring for it. And if I can take e-books out of the library with this, I'll save money in the long run. Though I've never actually tried to take an e- book out this way, everyone else seems to be talking about it.

Snookie's Book New York Times Best Seller

If you're a fan of Jersey Shore and Nicole "Snookie" Polizzi, you'll be thrilled to know her new book, A SHORE THING, made the New York Times Best Seller List this weekend. I'm including this link to blue centric if you want to read more. If you're not a Snookie fan, too damn bad (smile).

No comment on this end about Snookie or the book. I'm not a critic and don't want to be. As long as people are reading books, I'm smiling.

ADELE- MAKE YOU FEEL MY LOVE LYRICS!

I partially ripped this off from my friend Ryan's blog, www.aguyinlove.blogspot.com, only he posted the Garth Brooks version and this is by Adele. Check out Ryan's post. It's very romantic because he posted the Garth Brooks version for his boyfriend, Kadin. I'm just posting the Adele version because it reminded me of a love scene I wrote this afternoon in a new book I'm finishing. More often than not, music is one of my greatest muses.

Is Elisa Rolle a Classy Lady or What?

This morning I went across the street to my mailbox. We've had weather this month. Not great weather either. And so far my mailbox has been run over by the snow plows four times. I'm starting to think it's sport, and they are aiming for it on purpose.

And it was slammed again last night. But after I lifted it up and straightened it out this morning, I reached inside for yesterday's mail and found a bright shiny gold envelope with a Padua address mixed between bills and advertisements.

I knew it was from Elisa Rolle. , internationally known m/m book reviewer. I have relatives in Italy, but no one in Padua. Maybe a Christmas card that was delayed thanks to my wonderful post office?

But it was a thank you note, on a Paul Richmond card, with a handwritten note inside thanking me for helping out with the Rainbow Awards this year. It was the last thing I expected, and a very nice surprise on a cold, icy day in Pennsylvania.

Kindle Reader Now Popular In Schools

I don't have a link to this piece. But I copied and pasted below, verbatim. It came from a local Bucks County, PA newspaper, The Intelligencer.

By: JAMES MCGINNIS

The Intelligencer

Students said they were more interested in reading books electronically.

Story time now begins with the push of a power button for eighth-graders at School Lane Charter School in Bensalem.

They received Kindle electronic reading devices this month.

Teachers hope the devices awaken a passion for reading in the kids, who are far more familiar with computers than the Dewey Decimal System, which libraries use to categorize books.

Kids can download reading materials onto the device wirelessly, eliminating trips to a book store or library.

Weighing about 10 ounces, a Kindle won't weigh down a student's backpack. School Lane paid $8,450 for 50 devices, which cost $169 apiece with protective casing.

When student Jason Flora of Bensalem doesn't feel like reading, he said he can simply listen to a book. On command, the Kindle reads the text aloud.

Student Daniel Nelson of Bensalem said he "barely ever read anything" before he was given a Kindle. Now he's actively searching for electronic books to read.

School Lane principal Karen Schade said almost all the eighth-graders are requesting books, which can be downloaded only with the permission of parents and teachers.

Although the students' Kindles are used in the classroom for story hour a few times a month, they are used much more often at home, school officials said.

Meanwhile, educators continue to weigh the Kindle's usefulness in the classroom.

--> A Kindle pilot program at Princeton University significantly reduced paper cost and waste by college students. But some students complained that printed materials are more easily compared, highlighted and referenced than electronic materials.

Some research suggests that the brain processes electronic and print text differently, with electronic text digested in a more cursory manner for the collection of quick information. And as reading becomes easier, it also becomes easier to forget, those researchers say.

School Lane officials said they'll continue to use print materials, such as textbooks, in the classroom.

"The bottom line for us was just to get students energized about reading," said the principal. "One of the purposes of a charter school is to try new things like this."

The school expects some cost savings, the principal said, because students can share books with other Kindle users, and electronic books tend to be cheaper than the printed versions. For example, the new Stephen King novel "Full Dark, No Stars" sells for $12.99 on Kindle and $33.25 in hardcover at Barnes & Noble.

Electronic versions of books also won't get damaged like print materials.

Another Gay Suicide in Miltona, Minnesota: Mediafail

I know I'm suppose to be promoting a new book today. But late last night I read about another gay suicide, this time in Miltona, Minnesota, and wanted to mention it with a link to Utah Pride, and another link to my blogging friend Ryan's blog, here.


Frankly, I've been watching a lot of mainstream media news this week and I didn't see this suicide mentioned much...if at all. Which I suppose is typical, given the state of affairs our mainstream media is in these days. I guess they'll get around to it when and if they decide there's nothing more sensational to report.