Two Very Special Engagements

Where to begin. No one but my husband can truly appreciate not only what this book project has entailed for the past three plus years, but also, what the last five months has involved since I sent the manuscript for Golden Goddesses to my publisher, BearManor Media, on the 30th of June. Planning not one, but two Hollywood parties from three thousand miles away and in another country, isn't as easy as one might think. But thanks to the cooperation and hospitality of the folks at Hustler Hollywood and to Jeff at Larry Edmunds Bookshop, not to mention Tom at Cake and Art, we were able to make it happen and with great success.

Writing this book has been a once in a lifetime experience. Given the subject matter, some might have believed when I set out that I'd saddled myself with a monster of a project most writers (and readers) wouldn't want to touch with a ten foot pole. After all, this book is not about a woman's fantasy sexual exploit like Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy by the best selling novelist E. L. James. Golden Goddesses is about reality and truth, heartache, humour and acceptance. It is a book about women. Like any good ideas, "Goddesses" ignited with a flame and it grew. Once the seedling was planted, the process seemed to take on steam and a natural course of events. The ladies, all twenty-five, have supported me along the way like sisters might, by being frank and honest and funny and open and kind. Collectively, they sent and approved photos, proofed their interview transcripts, shared ideas, offered suggestions, discussed their films, wrote poetry, tolerated my amateur photography skills, and even designed the front cover. This experience has been an exhilarating and emotional journey, which finally culminated in the events of the past week.

Last Thursday night on November 29th at the Hustler Hollywood flagship store on Sunset Boulevard was an experience like nothing I have ever before encountered. Flanked by fifteen beautiful ladies seated at several tables, I stood next to our Master of Ceremonies, Bill Margold, and stared in awe at the throngs of fans, press and papparazi, who came out in droves to photograph and engage with this amazing all-star cast of women that included: Kay Parker, Serena, Nina Hartley Rhonda Jo Petty, Sharon Mitchell, Veronica Hart, Annie Sprinkle, Ginger Lynn, Amber Lynn, Christy Canyon, Kitten Nativdad, Kelly Nichols, Laurie Holmes, Julia St. Vincent, Raven Touchstone and Debi Diamond. The estimated number at the store was well over 200, and for a girl from a suburban neighbourhood in Southern Ontario, Canada, this was something to behold. The cake, created in the design of the front and back covers of the book, was outstanding as we toasted with champagne. My husband and twenty-three year old daughter shared in the celebration....We three are still stupefied and electrified.


On Friday evening, the 30th, we did an encore appearance with ten of the ladies from the previous evening coming out in the rain (yes, rain) where they again wowed a loving crowd of people that filled the store to the rafters. The store's owner, Jeff, did an outstanding job accommodating the guests and keeping things running smoothly. Margold did an outstanding job acting as MC once more, and after I read the book's introduction, we opened the floor to a Q&A with the audience and media before the book signing began. Thanks to the ladies and to all involved, we are very proud to announce that every single copy of Golden Goddesses in Hollywood last weekend, were sold out at both stores. What an amazing feeling.

Special guests over both evenings in addition to the women, were Marilyn Chambers's best friend Peggy McGinn and her husband Darcy. They are such a wonderful couple. Carly Mills, daughter of the sexploitation actress Barbara Mills, spoke from the heart about her late mother. Ann Perry's step-son, Roger Perry, attended on behalf of his family and mother who is unwell due to Alzheimer's. Photographers and contributors to the book, Joel Sussman (who shot the beautiful cover image of Serena), Paul Johnson, a close friend of the late Juliet Anderson, and Kenji, were also there to support the ladies as was legendary Johnny Wadd director Bob Chinn, the former adult actor Richard Pacheco, and directors Roy Karch and Cass Paley.

Only once before did I have the opportunity to stand in gratitude after more than four years of hard work when my friend and former co-author Jennifer Sugar and I held our book launch at Book Soup in Hollywood on August 8th, 2008 for the release of John Holmes: A Life Measured in Inches. I thought about Jennifer on Thursday evening while milling among the crowd and I smiled at the recollection of another sensational evening.

On Sunday, we left Los Angeles for Encinitas, California to rest up, visit with our friend and pinch ourselves in amazement that we actually pulled it off before returning home last evening. To all of the Goddesses and to everyone who came out to meet and greet the fabulous ladies, we couldn't have done it without you. Thanks for the memories.

Thanks to Carl Gerard and Dominic Ace for sharing photos taken at Hustler Hollywood. Thanks also to Amber Brooks for photos taken at the Larry Edmunds' event. More photos will be posted here and on facebook in the coming weeks.

Additional photos can be viewed at the following links here: Hustler Photos by Emmreport
and here: Hollywood.com