Lori Perkins's Blog, page 3

Classic M/M RomCom When Harry Met Sal By LAMBDA-Award Winning Ryan Field Republished

Lambda-award winning author Ryan Field wrote this gay romance as part of his series of novels retelling beloved romcoms with gay characters. Inspired by the romcom classic Nora Ephron movie, When Harry Met Sally, about two friends who finally realize how much they love each other after many years, this novel is an homage to the power of romantic story telling and true love.

When Harry Beckham's best friend asks him to drive her new, casual boyfriend, Sal Sorentino, from California to New York, Harry never expected they'd wind up as lovers their first night on the road. Harry just assumes that Sal is straight, and Harry already has a boyfriend of his own back in San Francisco.

But when Sal explains that he's bisexual and that he's extremely attracted to Harry, everything changes. Harry tries to resist the mutual attraction, but all it takes is one simple kiss and they both wind up having the best sex of their lives on a cross-country road trip.

When they reach New York, they agree to go their separate ways and forget about each other. Harry becomes a well-known designer who does national talk shows, and Sal becomes a professional poker player who lives in a mansion and owns a pet pig named Dolly. And by the time they meet up again seven years later, their lives have changed completely.

But that doesn't stop the passionate physical connection between them from surfacing again. Though all the odds seem to be against them, their physical relationship evolves into mutual love and respect. And this unyielding love they feel for each other turns out to be stronger than anything they could have imagined.

Explained author Ryan Field, “when I write books based on mainstream movie titles like When Harry Met Sally what I'm really doing is making a statement that says I'd like to see a movie like WHEN HARRY MET SAL for a change instead of what I've been seeing for most of my life. This isn't fan-fic. This is more like "what-if-fic."

Win Publication in the 2022 Riverdale Avenue Book’s NaNoWriMo Contest

As you all know, National Novel Writing Month 2022 has just ended (if you’re a writer then you likely lovingly know this time of the year as NaNoWriMo). For many, once they’ve completed their 50,000 word novel in 30 days, they have no idea what to do with it or how to get published.

As many of you also know, I firmly believe in NaNoWriMo, so this year, I have rounded up a team of dedicated interns and editors and we have committed to a NaNoWriMo contest for publication at Riverdale Avenue Books.

I think it is amazing that we have a national month devoted to encouraging writing. I see the people who participate in NaNoWriMo as artists and athletes, and I know that the work that is produced becomes some of our cultures' best and brightest. One of my favorite books I’ve published, Untrustworthy by JR Gersen-Siegel, an LGBTQ Handmaid’s Tale, was a NaNoWriMo novel (and winner of our first NaNoWriMo contest).

Submit your 50,000-80,000 word novel in the genres of erotica, erotic romance, horror, science fiction, fantasy, and LGBTQ fiction to Riverdale Avenue Books by midnight of February 1, 2023 for consideration. Riverdale Avenue Books’ team of editors will evaluate the submissions and choose first place winners, as well as honorable mentions, from each genre for publication by Riverdale Avenue Books.

Winners will be notified by email by March 15, 2023. Each book chosen will be eligible for standard contract terms, including publication as both print and ebook. The winning books will be published in 2023.

Please enclose a brief bio, as well as your email address, with each submission. Submit completed novels in a word document format with a brief author bio and book synopsis to submissions@riverdaleavebooks.com.

See this article for more information on successful NaNoWriMo projects, https://www.denofgeek.com/us/books/26...

VEGAS Book Launch for Pamela Des Barres' Latest Book

Copper Cat Books is hosting a rock’n’roll book launch party and signing on Friday, October 14th for the publication of Pamela Des Barres new book of essays, Miss Pamela’s Writing School for Electric Ladies.

The book, published by award-winning boutique New York publisher Riverdale Avenue Books, features the work of Pamela Des Barres’ writing students, whom she has taught over the past two decades in 25 cities throughout the world. Twenty-five of her students will be attending the book launch, where they will read their work and sign books.

A classic rock band, 66 Sunset Strip, will be preforming at the bookstore that evening, and light refreshments will be served.

Wendy Marcisofsky, proprietress of Copper Cat Books, shared her excitement about hosting the book launch at her store: “As a child ‘born of the 50's’ growing up in the 60's; I watched it all; from the Beatles on Ed Sullivan to all the ‘bad boys’ who also made the cut on Ed's show. When I learned about the opportunity to host this author; I thought ‘what fun!’ and now, here we are!!”

The event is open to the pubic, and will be held on Friday night, October 14th, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Copper Cat Books, 1570 West Horizon Ridge Pkwy, Suite 170, Henderson, NV (suburban Las Vegas).

Riverdale Avenue Books Publishes 10th Anniversary Edition of Award-Winning Princes of Air with New Novella “Ice Raven”

Riverdale Avenue Books published a 10th anniversary edition of Elizabeth Schechter’s Princes of Air, a Celtic fantasy series featuring a family of raven shape shifters fighting against those who want to control their power. The novel won the Passionate Plume Award for Erotic Romance in 2012.

The Raven-Goddess Morrigan has nine sons ravens each granted two gifts: the ability to shift to human form, and the recognition of their soulmates. But, even for demi-gods, the path to true love is far from smooth.

The brothers have drawn the attention of a family of powerful mages who will stop at nothing to gain power. Each brother will be forced to make sacrifices to keep their mates alive and protect their land from harm.

The author wanted to share the novella, The Ice Raven, which details the betrothal of a second raven son, with her fans in preparation for the release of her second novel in the series, which Riverdale Books will publish in 2023. An excerpt from The White Raven: Morrigan’s Heir is included in this edition.

“I am overjoyed to be able to return to Princes of Air, and visit some old friends for this novel’s 10th anniversary,” Schechter explained. With this special edition comes two extras that I’m pleased to share with you–a closer look at Oscar, the second-oldest of the Morrigan’s sons, and a peek at the long-awaited sequel to Princes of Air. The White Raven: Morrigan’s Heir introduces us to the next generation of the Morrigan’s blood, and will be coming soon from Riverdale Avenue Books.”

VINTAGE GAY BOOKS NEWSLETTER

Begins Subscription Model Following Successful Spring Launch

RECLAIMING FORGOTTEN 1960s to '70s NOVELS
featuring confident, unapologetic gay heroes then-unseen in mainstream media
For most of the 20th century, gay men saw little of themselves in American fiction other than in "problem novels" that positioned gayness as inherently isolating and tragic. The exception was the twilight world of adult fiction, through which LGBTQIA+ readers who enjoyed thrillers, detective novels, horror and science-fiction stories could finally see people like themselves as the heroes.

Launched in March, Maitland's Vintage Gay Books Newsletter, along with Riverdale Avenue Books’ associated imprint 120 Days Books, have helped to reclaim these novels' deserved place. With an informative and entertaining essay every other Thursday, Maitland's Vintage Gay Books Newsletter now goes to a $5/month subscription model, with a selection of free essays remaining available to anyone.


"Her prose outshines that of the gay pulp novels she reviews. But with style, a touch of cynicism, and a sly sense of humor, Maitland McDonagh reveals a surprising amount of depth in books generally prized only for their covers. ... Her reviews are not to be missed."
— Barry Harrison, Homobilia


"I've come to look upon Maitland McDonagh as one of the few authorities on this period of time that, without people like her, would have faded into oblivion. As both a writer about and republisher of books of the Golden Age of Gay Pulp Fiction — wherein gay literary protagonists were allowed to live normal lives and not end up as clinically depressed victims or suicides — McDonagh is the recognized go-to person for anyone with even a modicum of interest in this field."

— Author William Maltese, dean of gay-pulp novelists


This hidden gay fiction deserves to be rediscovered and appreciated. Readers can sign up for $5/month subscription, or sample a selection of free essays at VintageGayBooks.substack.com — an introduction, an overview and two columns focusing on a pair of the best and most representative titles.

Memoir by Dominatrix Who Changed Canadian Sex Worker Law Just Pubbed

Americans are not aware of Terri Jean Bedford, but in Canada she is one of their most notorious citizens--but under the name Madame deSade. Terri-Jean Bedford was Canada's most famous leather-clad dominatrix, a well-known public figure appearing on the evening news as she took on the Canadian legal establishment to ultimately change sex worker law throughout the country. Canada's prostitution laws were struck down in 2010.

Terri-Jean Bedford’s autobiography, Dominatrix on Trial, published by Riverdale Avenue Books, chronicles her life born into poverty to her rise as Canada’s most famous dominatrix. As a poor bi-racial girl, she was placed into a foster home at six, where she was abused. She was later moved into various children’s homes and lived there until she was 16, when she left to make it on her own. Terri survived by working numerous unskilled jobs. Her talents and interests helped her move into the elite world of the professional dominatrix, after which life was never the same. Located just outside of Toronto, her elaborate Bondage Bungalow became the target of a spectacular raid. Six highly publicized years of trials and appeals later, she was convicted under bawdy-house laws and paid a small fine. In 1999, she opened a similar facility in downtown Toronto, one that closed without police interference in 2002.

“Terri-Jean Bedford is a feminist icon, a revolutionary who not only fought for what she believed, but for freedom for both women and men.” said Publisher Lori Perkins. “She is a courageous and strong woman who continues to have a lasting impact on Canada and sex work.”

A few years later she was at the center of Bedford vs. Canada, a five-year constitutional challenge to Canada’s sex trade laws. The Supreme Court vindicated her struggles. She remains a vocal advocate for civil rights and the disenfranchised.

Call for Submissions for LGBTQ+ Beyond Worship

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Beyond Worship

This anthology will explore the sacredness of queer, transgender, and gender-variant identities, experiences, and concerns in relation to faith, worship, liturgy, and theology.

LGBTQIA2S+ authors are invited to share essays, prayers, litanies, poetry, reflections, personal testimonies, and orders or worship.

Transgender, nonbinary, Two-Spirit, and gender-expansive contributors will be prioritized.

We invite LGBTQIA2S+ people from all faith backgrounds to submit.

Submission details
• DEADLINE: April 27th, 2022

Accepted Contributors
• Will be published in the anthology this Pride month, 2022
• Will receive a $10 stipend and physical copy of the book

Potential Writing Prompts:
• How does your identity as a transgender person relate to that of the divine and/or sacred? How do your beliefs impact the way you feel comfortable with yourself, mind, body, and spirit?
• How has your faith community (church, synagogue, mosque, temple, gurdwara, spiritual circles, etc.) been a home for you (or not)? Have certain scriptures, texts, passages, sermons, etc. led you to this sense/feeling/place of community?
• How might queer and transgender people looking for a spiritual path come to terms with religion/religious trauma? What were the first steps for you? Did you have any mentors, friends, family members? What advice can you give to LGBTQIA2S+ people who are just beginning this process?
• How can queer and transgender people perceive themselves as divine/sacred, even when we’re told so many times that we do not belong?
• Why turn to God/the Divine in the first place? Why turn to religion? Why is it important to you to believe in something greater than yourself?
• Do you have to believe in Jesus and the scripture to be a Christian? Why or why not?
• Are there any central or peripheral exemplars/figures from your faith tradition that inspire you? What about them resonates with you?
• Liturgical prompts:
o Prayers for queer and transgender lives and collective liberation
o Litany or order of worship for a name-changing ceremony, specific to transgender people of faith
o Calls to Worship, hymns, songs, poetry that relate to queer and transgender experience and faith

Send all submissions as a word doc to submissions@riverdaleavebooks.com, with a short author bio, with Beyond Worship in the subject line. You may use a pseudonym for publication, but we must know your real identity.

The Binge Watcher's Guide to The Golden Girls is Here!

As the world celebrated the life of television legend, Betty White, many viewers young and old are remembering her acting work, especially her role as Rose Nylund in the acclaimed sitcom The Golden Girls. The innovative publisher, Riverdale Avenue Books released their TV companion book, The Binge Watcher’s Guide to The Golden Girls on what would have been Betty White’s 100th birthday.

It’s the classic TV sitcom. Thirty years after it first aired, The Golden Girls is one of the most popular shows in syndication and available to view on multiple streaming services. The show ran for seven seasons, collecting a staggering 58 Emmy nominations and 11 wins along the way, and over the years, this hit comedy about four fierce and sassy 50+ roommates in Miami charmed millions of viewers with its incomparable wit. Above all, The Golden Girls celebrated the strength and depth of the friendship between its four iconic characters - Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia- who have been adopted by multiple generations and attracts both gay and straight viewers.

This beloved television show from the 1980s, created by Susan Harris, the iconic creator of the series Soap, and one of the writers of the trailblazing, feminist show Maude, hasn't lost its fanbase over the decades. It seems to be the one thing that all the generations, from baby boomers to millennials, agree on: They love "The Girls," especially Betty White, who proved to be one of the most all-time adored entertainers.

“It’s a comfort food. It’s one of the best shows to have on when you’re sick. And it’s endlessly quotable with your girlfriends. It’s the Steel Magnolias of TV shows,” said author Marissa DeAngelis

The Binge Watcher's Guide to The Golden Girls is meant to be a companion as you binge, giving you a quick recap of each episode and where it fits in the series, with a favorite quote, notable goofs and inconsistences, and some behind-the-scenes drama.

About Marissa DeAngelis

Marissa DeAngelis holds a BA in journalism from the University of Maryland with a minor in film and comparative literature. She lived and worked in New York City as a copywriter for over a decade and moved to Los Angeles in 2020 to continue her writing pursuits. While living in New York, she performed standup comedy and would like to start that up again in California. She considers herself a cinephile and would love to write a fictionalized account about old Hollywood one day. If she were a Golden Girl, she would have been Sophia.

Beatle Wives: The Women the Men We Loved Fell in Love With Just Pubbed

After you’ve watched the new Peter Jackson documentary on the break-up of the Beatles, you might want to grab a copy of the just published Beatle Wives: The Women the Men We Loved Fell in Love by NY Times best-selling biographer Marc Shapiro.
They’ve had songs written about them. They’ve been the subject of legend and lore.
Yoko allegedly broke up The Beatles. Pattie dropped George for George’s best friend, Eric Clapton. Olivia beat an intruder senseless and bloody with a lamp stand. The stories are endless.
These women have lived, loved and fallen under the spell of four of the most famous musicians in the history of popular music. They are the wives of the Beatles, nine women who came from somewhere or nowhere and were thrust into the midst of Beatlemania and pop culture history in the most intimate and public way and lived to tell about it.
There have been literally hundreds of books about The Beatles. But Beatle Wives: The Women the Men We Loved Fell in Love With is the story of the women who married The Beatles told from their perspective during and after they said their I do’s. Their memories and insights are straightforward and pull no punches. Within these pages are the good times and the bad, the moments when their love and marriage went off the rails and the moments when these women had it all and lived happily ever after.
“Being a Beatle wife was difficult in the best of times,” relates author Shapiro. “The fans hated them. The media hounded them senseless. They were married to men who did not often treat them with kindness and respect. But they stuck it out, many until they could stand it no longer and many who toughed it out through thick and thin. There were happy endings. Sad endings. Endings that will shock, anger or bring a tear. These women have seen it all. This is their story.”
“I’ve been Beatle fan since I saw A Hard Days Night in my crowded local movie theater,” said Publisher Lori Perkins, “and I really thought I knew everything about the Beatles’ wives, but this book made me see them in a whole new light. Riveting reading for every Beatles fan!”

Call for Short Stories for Found Family Anthology

For many, the winter holidays are a time of family gatherings, significant others meeting parents, and reminiscing with aunts, uncles, and cousins about childhood memories. The winter holidays can be a reminder of harsh rejection and shame. And with many holiday movies, books, and shows centering around love and rejection, the feeling of loneliness can be exasperated for those still in the closet or coming to terms with their identity.

For this anthology, we want to change that narrative—to give the non traditional communities –LGBTQ+, Goth, polyamorous, “bohemian,” --hope that although a present moment may feel dark and gloomy, there’s always a family to be found and a sense of home, and sometimes real joy, which is what the holidays are truly about.

We’re seeking short stories which take place during the winter holidays—doesn’t have to be Christmas—which feature youth and adults who have found a sense of home within friends, coworkers, a community organization or perhaps even within oneself.

We seek to have stories which capture a holiday spirit unique to the nontraditional experience, centering around finding peace with one’s own identity and/or finding a family (or space) to call your own.

If you have a story of capturing a moment of peace and a feeling of belonging, that’s perfect. Have a story where a holiday didn’t go as planned, but your character(s) friend’s turned it around and made it a moment to always remember? Send it in. Even a story centered around the complex relationship between a parent and their child struggling to understand each other will work. Stories dealing with intersecting identities and the way in which they interact are also welcomed.

The anthology will be published by Riverdale Avenue books in both epub and print December 2021 (print if time allows). All authors will receive print and digital copies, as well as a $10 advance upon publication.

Please send double-spaced word doc submissions of up to 5,000 words to submissions@riverdaleavebooks.com with the word “Found Family Anthology” in the address line by December 10, if not before.