Sunday, March 20, 2011
"Ode to Joy"
"Ode to Joy", was composed by Ludwig Von Beethoven. If you really listen to it, you can almost feel the picture or scenes he was playing in his mind. For me, it's a symphony that reflects the rapture and freedom in the music he could hear. Each note in his head, each note ringing a colorful picture. For me, that is how the stories that I write play in my mind. I get the idea or inspiration for a story-any kind of story-and I see the words like pictures in my mind and the hard part is putting them on paper. Heaven help us if they ever discover the technology that can take our mental images and put them to screen or paper. Diary of a Mad Woman might just be the next best seller then. Not all of my stories are ones that involve the macabre, although a lot of them are. I write alot of serious stuff too and general fiction. I get asked a lot, "Why romance? What is so nifty about that stuff?" Well for me, romance novels started out with the historical selections. I love history and historical romances just seemed to tell better stories. I'm not only hip to steamy love scenes-that's not wahat makes a great book or even romance novel. It's the relationships of the characters, the plot lines, the scenery, and the whole big picture. I have always been an avid reader. I read just about anything! Biographies, autobiographies, non fiction, and fiction of all genres. I'm not huge into war stories or westerns-that was my papow's deal not mine, but I have read them. I remember in school I picked the hardest books to read and do book reports on. I remember reading Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina when I was in the fourth grade. My teacher, Mrs.Patterson, was taken aback that I had chosen that book. I had gotten it from the public library as our school library didn't have that book. I followed with the works of Shakespere and the Bronte sisters. I loved Wurthering Heights and Jane Eyre and back then, my teacher pulled me aside and asked me why I was chosing such books. My only answer was that it was what interested me. I loved the challenge and I loved those stories. Later I caught the Stephen King buzz, and to this day I will never again read Pet Semetary again or Salem's Lot. I know, it's a vampire book and here I'm refusing to read it. That book as well as the movie gave me nightmares. In high school, I got Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice. I was sent to my school's social worker since my teacher thought I might be on the depressed side. It's laughable now but it wasn't then. I embrace my inner freak now, and those that know me have come to accept that part about me. I'm always going to be weird like that. Anyhow, I truly have a love for the written word and my only regret is that I didn't come to terms with it sooner! I feel like I have had all these stories locked away when I could have really been getting them out there, but I'm out there now! The fear of rejection has long since fled. No matter what I write, there is always some one out there that will want to read it-I just have to work and work hard! No author just put something without putting their blood, sweat, and tears all over it and got it published. Okay well there have been a few like Stephanie Meyers, but I'm not trying to be like Stephanie Meyers. God how I wish she'd write Midnight Sun already. Sucks to have your work infringed upon and just blown out there when you're just creating. I understand her reasons but I can't say as I would have let something like that crush me. I'm finding out that the publishing game is really not as easy as it sounds. One one hand you have the vanity press-self publishing and I won't knock it-but I'm like alot of people in search of the holy grail of being picked up by a legit publisher. That kind of prestige that comes along with having an editor say, "This is it! This is the next big thing! We can really market this author!" However, times are changing and alot of people like Denyse Bridger and alot others, are gaining a lot of steam with ebook publishing. I won't knock ebooks either. I think there is a market for both ebooks and traditional books. For me I like them both. I love having a book I can hold in my hand and I like the ease of ebooks. I want to be successful at both! I want to be able to sit and do book signings and readings. I want to one day be as famous as Kenyon,Rice, L.Adrian, Sands, and all those other diva's of the romance world. I want ppl to fall in love with my characters as much as I had creating them. So my "Ode to Joy" is what I can write and create and no one should be without their "Ode to Joy" reguardless if it's music, writing, acting, drawing, sculpting, painting, singing, or being happy with yourself!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
March Movies and Books pt. 1
Okay March isn't even half way over but here's the movies and books worth or maybe not worth checking out.
Movies
You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger-This movie stars Anthony Hopkins, Naomi Watts, Josh Brolin. Okay this movie starts out with Anthony Hopkins who plays a man well onto his senior years that after 30 plus years of marriage, has divorced his wife and fell for a woman that is probably 30 years or close to it his junior. Not to mention she's a quasi actress/prostitute. Alfie wants a son, and yes, his prostitute wife is his hope for his genetic future. His ex wife, is devestated and had even tried to kill herself, but no fear-she's put her fate in the hands of a psychic that her daughter found for her(enter Naomi Watts) however-she's not really a psychic but is basically someone who tells this woman what she wants to hear. Naomi Watts is married to basically a bum-yet this bum finished Medical school and could work-but doesn't. He is working on his next great war novel-which his publisher has refused. Naomi's character wants to be able to not have to have her mother to help them out financially and wants to have a child of her own which her husband(Broilin) does not. However, her husband is falling for a Indian woman across the way that always seems to wear red and always seems to have her window open. Naomi on the other hand has a crush on her boss at this art gallery she works at (Enter Antonio Banderas) who ends up sleeping with an artist friend of Naomi's character. Confused yet? I was confused as to why I rented this to begin with! Not only does it make the Marriage of Figaro-the metal version seem likable but it doesn't show any resolve by the end of the movie other than Naomi's mother's boyfriend she ends up meeting, gets the "Okay" from his dead wife, and they end the movie with them on a bench talking about their past lives and possibly the woman was Joan of Arc. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE! Really I don't. I thought it would be funny, it has all the stars who lended talent to this movie, but it just is flat and like I said has no resolve; no ending other than you find out that Naomi's character divorces her worthless husband to which ends up with the lady across the way. He ends up stealing his friend's book manuscript because he finds out the man is dead-which he's not-he's in a coma and by the end of the movie or towards it-the man is coming out-so basically her ex has comitted fraud. Again do not rent this movie.
Rango
Okay I took my son to see this movie and he was sooo excited that he fell asleep the first 30 minutes. I thought it was just okay...nothing extraordinary but just okay-perhaps not something for little kids but my son when he woke up, did seem to watch it-but he wasn't as animated as he was when he watched Yogi the Bear or other cartoon movies he's watched before. I think it will be great as a DVD release but don't waste your money at the movies unless your kids have to see it. Be prepared to hear "Hell" alot and "Go To Hell". Rango is rated PG. Which is kind of weird.
Beastly
I may not have blogged about this movie but like Rango it was just okay for me. I think it was meant for tweens. It had a really good plot line and the whole "curse" part really grabbed my attention. I thought it would be a new spin on the whole 'Beauty and the Beast' but its like it kind of tried but epically failed. IT was an okay movie but nothing that you wouldn't find on Disney or in the Disney Teen flick section at the video store. Beastly is great for a rental unless your 12-15 years old.
Books
Okay books, books, books.....and I've not been reading a whole lot lately but I have been reading some stuff from 2 new authors.
1.Denyse Bridger-okay folks you have to go to http://www.denysebridger.com and check her out! She has e books online at Elora's Cave and all I can say is the woman CAN write and it won't suprise me if she doesn't get into the mainstream really quick! She has a great range in the subjects/stories she writes and is a real talent.
2.Sasha Oliver is another brand new up and coming author. She has just published her first book *Nook,ebook format* and is featured at Barnes and Noble bookstore: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Zodiac-Chronicles/Sasha-Oliver/e/2940012108173/?itm=1&USRI=sasha+dozier+oliver
Her book, The Zodiak Chronicles is a really unique spin on the vampire story and it's a mixture of suspense, mystery, and romantic flair. Please check her out!
Okay that's so far what I've been reading and watching!
Movies
You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger-This movie stars Anthony Hopkins, Naomi Watts, Josh Brolin. Okay this movie starts out with Anthony Hopkins who plays a man well onto his senior years that after 30 plus years of marriage, has divorced his wife and fell for a woman that is probably 30 years or close to it his junior. Not to mention she's a quasi actress/prostitute. Alfie wants a son, and yes, his prostitute wife is his hope for his genetic future. His ex wife, is devestated and had even tried to kill herself, but no fear-she's put her fate in the hands of a psychic that her daughter found for her(enter Naomi Watts) however-she's not really a psychic but is basically someone who tells this woman what she wants to hear. Naomi Watts is married to basically a bum-yet this bum finished Medical school and could work-but doesn't. He is working on his next great war novel-which his publisher has refused. Naomi's character wants to be able to not have to have her mother to help them out financially and wants to have a child of her own which her husband(Broilin) does not. However, her husband is falling for a Indian woman across the way that always seems to wear red and always seems to have her window open. Naomi on the other hand has a crush on her boss at this art gallery she works at (Enter Antonio Banderas) who ends up sleeping with an artist friend of Naomi's character. Confused yet? I was confused as to why I rented this to begin with! Not only does it make the Marriage of Figaro-the metal version seem likable but it doesn't show any resolve by the end of the movie other than Naomi's mother's boyfriend she ends up meeting, gets the "Okay" from his dead wife, and they end the movie with them on a bench talking about their past lives and possibly the woman was Joan of Arc. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE! Really I don't. I thought it would be funny, it has all the stars who lended talent to this movie, but it just is flat and like I said has no resolve; no ending other than you find out that Naomi's character divorces her worthless husband to which ends up with the lady across the way. He ends up stealing his friend's book manuscript because he finds out the man is dead-which he's not-he's in a coma and by the end of the movie or towards it-the man is coming out-so basically her ex has comitted fraud. Again do not rent this movie.
Rango
Okay I took my son to see this movie and he was sooo excited that he fell asleep the first 30 minutes. I thought it was just okay...nothing extraordinary but just okay-perhaps not something for little kids but my son when he woke up, did seem to watch it-but he wasn't as animated as he was when he watched Yogi the Bear or other cartoon movies he's watched before. I think it will be great as a DVD release but don't waste your money at the movies unless your kids have to see it. Be prepared to hear "Hell" alot and "Go To Hell". Rango is rated PG. Which is kind of weird.
Beastly
I may not have blogged about this movie but like Rango it was just okay for me. I think it was meant for tweens. It had a really good plot line and the whole "curse" part really grabbed my attention. I thought it would be a new spin on the whole 'Beauty and the Beast' but its like it kind of tried but epically failed. IT was an okay movie but nothing that you wouldn't find on Disney or in the Disney Teen flick section at the video store. Beastly is great for a rental unless your 12-15 years old.
Books
Okay books, books, books.....and I've not been reading a whole lot lately but I have been reading some stuff from 2 new authors.
1.Denyse Bridger-okay folks you have to go to http://www.denysebridger.com and check her out! She has e books online at Elora's Cave and all I can say is the woman CAN write and it won't suprise me if she doesn't get into the mainstream really quick! She has a great range in the subjects/stories she writes and is a real talent.
2.Sasha Oliver is another brand new up and coming author. She has just published her first book *Nook,ebook format* and is featured at Barnes and Noble bookstore: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Zodiac-Chronicles/Sasha-Oliver/e/2940012108173/?itm=1&USRI=sasha+dozier+oliver
Her book, The Zodiak Chronicles is a really unique spin on the vampire story and it's a mixture of suspense, mystery, and romantic flair. Please check her out!
Okay that's so far what I've been reading and watching!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
What's New, Old, and In Between
Well I have to say I've been pretty busy here lately trying to take time with each of my projects. Right now I'm writing a very short and ghostly story that is an adult-romantic version of Thumbelina. Something to submit to a very good friend that I am very proud to have and give a plug to, Denyse Bridger, who is a wonderful author who has quite a variety of wonderfully written ebooks through Elora's Cave. Follow this link to her site: http://www.denysebridger.com/
The second project I have, well two rather-is 1. Finishing the ending and starting the editing for Nyx's book. So far it's got the name Cursed Awakening, but some how that just doesn't seem right. 2. Finishing the editing for book 2 in Renegade Night Series(Which will probably revert back to The Guardians of Night Series). Book 2 is going to showcase the ever lovable, rebelious Dashell Baptiste. It's been more than a century since he's been in his home town of New Orleans, Louisiana and if it weren't for the fact his new boss, Alexi has called him in to help with a Renegade that happens to be a missing billionaire, Dash would still be everywhere but New Orleans. What is worse is Dash not only has to contend with his demons of his own tragic past, but this spit fire, stubborn, know it all woman who know owns what used to be his family's home. Life in the Big Easy never got so good, huh? Well in between Alexi fretting like a mother hen over his pregnate mate, his walk through regret boulevard, there is still the Renegade at large and it seems someone is trying to resurect the banned practice of making Blood Slaves. Yeah, Dash's plate is over flowing at this point.
And you thought I couldn't get much busier, well hold on to your seat!
The Unnamed Project 4, has been edited and all it needs is a title. So far everything I've come up with seems hokey and I can't submit it with the title "Project 4". Was thinking maybe "Blood and Fire" or "Gifted: The Cursed". Who knows what I'll eventually settle on. So what is Project 4 about? Scroll on down:
In the late 2000's, The Institute was formed in the old Harvard University. A group of scientists along with Government officials discovered special abilities in children not to mention extra-terrestrials. To everyone else, it's a school for a gifted program. Children live and go to school there, protected. What very few know is that there is testing going on and children are being snatched from their families either by surrender, legalities, or by force if necessary. The children's gifts range from shape shifting, psychic abilities, children called Elementals that can control the elements at their bidding, and one alien boy who cannot take direct sunlight and has to have a diet of blood to survive. To the outside world, society is told that it is for the best interest of everyone that they be kept where they are, but what happens when the school is infiltrated and they are let loose upon the world?
As a grown young woman, Madi who has the gift of foresight;clairvoyance has been raised in the Institute for most of her life. Her earlier memories are sketchy at best, but what she does remember is that she was taken from her parents, and fire. Out of all of the Institute's inhabitants, her heart has only belonged to one...Jakrion, a Beydorian male that was found as a youngling after his ship crashed on Earth. When she loses him, she puts walls up around her heart and joins the rebellion, becuase no one ever escapes the Institute.
Ghost, he's the assassin that Henderson-one of the powers that be that emerged as a clear leader after the incident at the Institution, relies upon in catching anything or one that is not 100% human. He's never failed an assignment and no one has lived to tell the tale after a face to face with Ghost. The Resistance rebel forces would love to take him out, but that is just the problem: How do you take out a Ghost; a shadow? What is worse, is that Ghost's new assignment is to capture and take out Madi.
What will happen when his mission is compromised? What will happen when Madi meets Ghost face to face? Well you'll have to wait and read to find out!
Third project I am working on is a labor of love! I haven't worked a title yet and it's a non-fiction book. It pays hommage to my beloved grandfather and the life of a wonderful man. Lot of tears and some laughs have went into it, and it's been excruciatingly hard to write it. It's not been easy at all, but I felt compelled to.
Fourth project is my first erotica book. Okay,okay I know what you're thinking and well you're probably right, but hey...I'm no prude and it will be tastefully done! It's called: The Blood Courtisan. It is the story based on Centuries ago one of Venice's most beautiful courtisan's who was a rumored protoge of the legendary Victoria De Franco, was entranced and bitten by a vampire. A whirl wind love affair took flight, but to save her he would take her to Paris,France to friends to be protected and educated where he would be absent to. Eva learned a cold cruel lesson from Countess De Loncraie and the legendary Elizabeth Bathory. She would suffer indignity,humiliation, and abuse beyond anything left to the imagination. Hundreds of years later, Eva is doing what she does best, selling fantasies to men as Venus,the premier attraction at a New York Gentelmen's club. Little does she know, she's about to get a visit from her past. Vincent Gammeletti has tracked his soul mate to streets of New York City and hopes to make ammends. What he doesn't know is that his fledgling is no longer a mere innocent, but a strong woman who has been forged through the fires of hell and he'll have to go through hell to win her back!
Last but not least, I am half way done with my first Highland Fantasy Novel.
How far would you go for your true love? Would you leave everything and one behind and jump through time and space?
Iain MacLean was a revered and feared Highland Laird. He was known for his fairness and for his negoitiations when it came to joining the clans together. He was ruthless on a battle field and lived for only two things-His woman and his clan. One eve, twelve warriors in black spiked armor came to his lands. They were no mere mortal men; but demons. They had come for what they called, "The Relic". The Relic it turns out is an ancient power source that in the beginning of time to keep corruption from the Gods and to keep those of the underworld from seizing it, Relics were placed inside the souls of worthy morals whose souls were pure. When it was his own dear wife they came for, Iain was ready to fight to the death, but then the Celtic War Goddess, Morrigan appeared and hurled his wife through time. To make sure that she would be protected, she sent Iain through time as well but they didn't end up at the same time. So for the next 100s of centuries, Iain has searched for his beloved.
Rina can't hide the fact that she isn't quite satisfied as a seamstress, but it's a living, right? Most of her social experiences have been with picky brides and groomsmen making passes at her while she's doing alterations on their clothing. Let's not even bring up Prom season. Rina is Gladys's most talented seamstress, and only one. One night, her life is forever changed when she is nearly taken by ghostly looking men in what looks to be Medievel armor. Then a stranger with a funny accent enters to save her life and her wild ride to adventure and possible love begin. The end of the world is fast approaching and it's up to Rina, the mysterious stranger, a few Goddesses, and all of what Rina thought to be mythical beings to save the world and all of mankind.
Okay thats what's new, old, and inbetween! Stay tuned!
Nikki
The second project I have, well two rather-is 1. Finishing the ending and starting the editing for Nyx's book. So far it's got the name Cursed Awakening, but some how that just doesn't seem right. 2. Finishing the editing for book 2 in Renegade Night Series(Which will probably revert back to The Guardians of Night Series). Book 2 is going to showcase the ever lovable, rebelious Dashell Baptiste. It's been more than a century since he's been in his home town of New Orleans, Louisiana and if it weren't for the fact his new boss, Alexi has called him in to help with a Renegade that happens to be a missing billionaire, Dash would still be everywhere but New Orleans. What is worse is Dash not only has to contend with his demons of his own tragic past, but this spit fire, stubborn, know it all woman who know owns what used to be his family's home. Life in the Big Easy never got so good, huh? Well in between Alexi fretting like a mother hen over his pregnate mate, his walk through regret boulevard, there is still the Renegade at large and it seems someone is trying to resurect the banned practice of making Blood Slaves. Yeah, Dash's plate is over flowing at this point.
And you thought I couldn't get much busier, well hold on to your seat!
The Unnamed Project 4, has been edited and all it needs is a title. So far everything I've come up with seems hokey and I can't submit it with the title "Project 4". Was thinking maybe "Blood and Fire" or "Gifted: The Cursed". Who knows what I'll eventually settle on. So what is Project 4 about? Scroll on down:
In the late 2000's, The Institute was formed in the old Harvard University. A group of scientists along with Government officials discovered special abilities in children not to mention extra-terrestrials. To everyone else, it's a school for a gifted program. Children live and go to school there, protected. What very few know is that there is testing going on and children are being snatched from their families either by surrender, legalities, or by force if necessary. The children's gifts range from shape shifting, psychic abilities, children called Elementals that can control the elements at their bidding, and one alien boy who cannot take direct sunlight and has to have a diet of blood to survive. To the outside world, society is told that it is for the best interest of everyone that they be kept where they are, but what happens when the school is infiltrated and they are let loose upon the world?
As a grown young woman, Madi who has the gift of foresight;clairvoyance has been raised in the Institute for most of her life. Her earlier memories are sketchy at best, but what she does remember is that she was taken from her parents, and fire. Out of all of the Institute's inhabitants, her heart has only belonged to one...Jakrion, a Beydorian male that was found as a youngling after his ship crashed on Earth. When she loses him, she puts walls up around her heart and joins the rebellion, becuase no one ever escapes the Institute.
Ghost, he's the assassin that Henderson-one of the powers that be that emerged as a clear leader after the incident at the Institution, relies upon in catching anything or one that is not 100% human. He's never failed an assignment and no one has lived to tell the tale after a face to face with Ghost. The Resistance rebel forces would love to take him out, but that is just the problem: How do you take out a Ghost; a shadow? What is worse, is that Ghost's new assignment is to capture and take out Madi.
What will happen when his mission is compromised? What will happen when Madi meets Ghost face to face? Well you'll have to wait and read to find out!
Third project I am working on is a labor of love! I haven't worked a title yet and it's a non-fiction book. It pays hommage to my beloved grandfather and the life of a wonderful man. Lot of tears and some laughs have went into it, and it's been excruciatingly hard to write it. It's not been easy at all, but I felt compelled to.
Fourth project is my first erotica book. Okay,okay I know what you're thinking and well you're probably right, but hey...I'm no prude and it will be tastefully done! It's called: The Blood Courtisan. It is the story based on Centuries ago one of Venice's most beautiful courtisan's who was a rumored protoge of the legendary Victoria De Franco, was entranced and bitten by a vampire. A whirl wind love affair took flight, but to save her he would take her to Paris,France to friends to be protected and educated where he would be absent to. Eva learned a cold cruel lesson from Countess De Loncraie and the legendary Elizabeth Bathory. She would suffer indignity,humiliation, and abuse beyond anything left to the imagination. Hundreds of years later, Eva is doing what she does best, selling fantasies to men as Venus,the premier attraction at a New York Gentelmen's club. Little does she know, she's about to get a visit from her past. Vincent Gammeletti has tracked his soul mate to streets of New York City and hopes to make ammends. What he doesn't know is that his fledgling is no longer a mere innocent, but a strong woman who has been forged through the fires of hell and he'll have to go through hell to win her back!
Last but not least, I am half way done with my first Highland Fantasy Novel.
How far would you go for your true love? Would you leave everything and one behind and jump through time and space?
Iain MacLean was a revered and feared Highland Laird. He was known for his fairness and for his negoitiations when it came to joining the clans together. He was ruthless on a battle field and lived for only two things-His woman and his clan. One eve, twelve warriors in black spiked armor came to his lands. They were no mere mortal men; but demons. They had come for what they called, "The Relic". The Relic it turns out is an ancient power source that in the beginning of time to keep corruption from the Gods and to keep those of the underworld from seizing it, Relics were placed inside the souls of worthy morals whose souls were pure. When it was his own dear wife they came for, Iain was ready to fight to the death, but then the Celtic War Goddess, Morrigan appeared and hurled his wife through time. To make sure that she would be protected, she sent Iain through time as well but they didn't end up at the same time. So for the next 100s of centuries, Iain has searched for his beloved.
Rina can't hide the fact that she isn't quite satisfied as a seamstress, but it's a living, right? Most of her social experiences have been with picky brides and groomsmen making passes at her while she's doing alterations on their clothing. Let's not even bring up Prom season. Rina is Gladys's most talented seamstress, and only one. One night, her life is forever changed when she is nearly taken by ghostly looking men in what looks to be Medievel armor. Then a stranger with a funny accent enters to save her life and her wild ride to adventure and possible love begin. The end of the world is fast approaching and it's up to Rina, the mysterious stranger, a few Goddesses, and all of what Rina thought to be mythical beings to save the world and all of mankind.
Okay thats what's new, old, and inbetween! Stay tuned!
Nikki
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
THE PUBLISH AMERICA RESPONSE-THANKS BRANDON FOR YOUR ATTEMPT TO CONDESCEND
I wrote an email to the marketing department about getting my book's price points lowered. It was a very nice and cordial letter. Here is the response I got from Brandon(didn't list his last name)from Publish America.
Dear Nicole Noffsinger:
Thank you for raising the issue of PublishAmerica's pricing and marketing policies.
We must respectfully beg to differ with you on this issue. Book publishing is business, and PublishAmerica is in it to make a profit. In a free market economy, an enterprise has two tools. One is the quality of its product; the other is pricing. We never receive complaints about anything we do from authors who run, or have run, their own business. They understand exactly what we do, and why we do it. Like all enterprises, PublishAmerica has its detractors. None of them have ever run a business.
PublishAmerica took a leap of faith when it decided to publish your book at no, zero, cost to you. It costs many millions of dollars annually to operate a traditional publishing company such as ours, our sole source of income being book sales. Therefore we must do all we can to 1. sell as many books as possible, and 2. do so at a price that will keep us in business.
PublishAmerica is negotiating discounts with customers every single day. They have been going as deep as eighty percent, depending on a book's age. The younger the book, the smaller the discount. No business lowers its pricing ultra-deep when demand is still in its higher zone. Our eye is on the end consumer: can they buy our product at a price that they are willing to pay. We don't consider the competition. People don't buy a book because it's cheaper than another book. They buy a book because its content is worth more to them than the amount in cash that they are willing to pay in exchange.
As everyone can see PublishAmerica is re-aligning its pricing options. That's a business decision. We now make it possible to have our titles on the market for undiscounted prices as low as $9.95. If the consumer can choose to buy one and the same book, brand new, for $9.95 instead of $29.95, he will always choose $9.95.
Yes, your book may be selling at a somewhat higher price than a similar book written by a celebrity. How could it not? No publisher can expect to out-compete the celebrity, unless it loves to flirt with bankruptcy. Celebrity authors are not your competition, you cannot compare the marketability of your work with theirs. One is an apple, the other is an orange.
Your book's competition is the other half a million-plus unknown authors who were published in the past twelve months. Their books list at prices that vary wildly, anywhere from very low to very high and, no, pricing has no impact whatsoever on average sales. Brace yourself:
According to trade magazine Publisher's Weekly, the average book in the U.S. sells 500 copies. However, since that number also includes those celebrity bestsellers, the harsh reality is that eighty percent of all books sell under 100 copies, with a reported average of, get this: fifteen copies.
PublishAmerica is happy to report that our authors do considerably better than that.
Clearly, with 50,000 authors onboard we must be doing something right. It's not hard to see why. It is also not hard to see why, and where, those authors share their appreciation: www.publishamerica.com/testimonials/.
Thank you for having given us the opportunity to explain these sobering facts of life in a little more detail.
Thank you and have a good day,
Brandon
PublishAmerica Support
Brandon@publishamerica.com
Follow us on Twitter at @PubAmericaNews!
Now exactly who does he think he's condescending to? Testimonials-let me tell ya about those since I've been my own Nancy Drew here-I've tried to email these authors and they have no listing in the white pages or online. Their books are only listed with Publish America but no where else. They gave stellar testimonials praising Publish America and how successful their books are. I even looked up the woman who has been in their "This Author's Book made into a movie for Halmark Channel Network and according to them-they have no clue what I am talking about or the website's claim. They do not know the woman or her book. The woman, btw doesn't even have a blog or anything to validate her as a real person. Look, I really want my book to sell and as bad as the publisher is-the author here is very real and has worked very hard and until I can get released from my contract, I have to keep hoping that I can get it out there! I mean we all want to make money but for me I just want my work of art out there you know. I want honest reviews and if it sucks, then it's back to the drawing board. I want to be able to have book signings and to meet people just like me who is striving to make their dream come true. Okay that sounds a little Wizard of Oz huh, but seriously folks what if the Louvre had told Monet, "Well we need you to buy the first 100 paintings and then well we might put you in" because that is what it feels like. I shouldn't have to buy copies of my own book! Actually I would love to buy copies of my own book but here's the deal 1: I get no royalties off any purchase of my own book.(reguardless of how much money I pay out of my pocket I get no royalties), 2: The price, even with the 10% discount, still is unaffordable to me. I mean the whole thing is for me and them to make money right? Can't get blood out of a turnip here and I'm so po' I can't even afford the turnip most days. Okay okay no pity...no pity but seriously my fellow aspiring authors and artists here is the huuuuge lesson! And I'll put in capitol letters!
READ YOUR CONTRACT BEFORE SIGNING. YES IT IS EXCITING TO GET TO THAT STAGE BUT IF YOU DON'T READ EVERY ASPECT OF YOUR CONTRACT YOU ARE GOING TO GET SUCKERED. I BELIEVED THAT THINGS SUCH AS OH I DON'T KNOW PROMOTING MY BOOK OR ATLEAST MAKING IT ACCESSIBLE TO VENDORS THAT THEY BOASTED ABOUT HAVING CONTACTS WITH, MEANT THAT IT WAS TAKEN FOR GRANTED THEY WOULD ACT IN MY BEST INTEREST. NOT THE CASE! DO YOUR HOMEWORK! A PUBLISHER SHOULD NEVER ASK AN AUTHOR TO BUY THEIR OWN BOOKS, A PUBLISHER SHOULD NEVER HAVE THE AUTHOR "PAY" TO HAVE THEIR BOOKS SHOWCASED WITH OTHER BOOKS FROM THE SAME PUBLISHING COMPANY AT EVENTS THE PUBLISHER IS INVOLVED IN. A PUBLISHING HOUSE/COMPANY WANTS TO MAKE MONEY! IF THEY TAKE YOU IN AS A CONTRACTED AUTHOR THEY ARE GOING TO GO THE MILE EVEN IF THEY ARE A SMALL AND INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING HOUSE. THEY WANT TO SELL YOUR BOOK AND THEY WANT YOUR REPEAT BUISNESS! DO YOUR RESEARCH AND IF A PUBLISHER DOESN'T INCLUDE THOSE THINGS-OR WON'T DISCLOSE WHAT THEIR PART OF THE UNDERTAKING IS THEN DO NOT GO WITH THEM NO MATTER HOW GOOD THEIR SITE LOOKS, TESTIMONIALS, ETC. VISIT WWW.WRITERSBEWARE.COM AND AUTHORS DEN. THERE ARE MANY AUTHOR MILLS(PUBLISHING COMPANIES THAT MAKE THEIR MONEY OFF THE AUTHOR AND WILL ACCEPT ANY MANUSCRIPT AND THEN TRY TO SELL IT BACK TO THE AUTHOR REGUARDLESS.I WAS VICTIM ONCE-DON'T YOU BE!
Dear Nicole Noffsinger:
Thank you for raising the issue of PublishAmerica's pricing and marketing policies.
We must respectfully beg to differ with you on this issue. Book publishing is business, and PublishAmerica is in it to make a profit. In a free market economy, an enterprise has two tools. One is the quality of its product; the other is pricing. We never receive complaints about anything we do from authors who run, or have run, their own business. They understand exactly what we do, and why we do it. Like all enterprises, PublishAmerica has its detractors. None of them have ever run a business.
PublishAmerica took a leap of faith when it decided to publish your book at no, zero, cost to you. It costs many millions of dollars annually to operate a traditional publishing company such as ours, our sole source of income being book sales. Therefore we must do all we can to 1. sell as many books as possible, and 2. do so at a price that will keep us in business.
PublishAmerica is negotiating discounts with customers every single day. They have been going as deep as eighty percent, depending on a book's age. The younger the book, the smaller the discount. No business lowers its pricing ultra-deep when demand is still in its higher zone. Our eye is on the end consumer: can they buy our product at a price that they are willing to pay. We don't consider the competition. People don't buy a book because it's cheaper than another book. They buy a book because its content is worth more to them than the amount in cash that they are willing to pay in exchange.
As everyone can see PublishAmerica is re-aligning its pricing options. That's a business decision. We now make it possible to have our titles on the market for undiscounted prices as low as $9.95. If the consumer can choose to buy one and the same book, brand new, for $9.95 instead of $29.95, he will always choose $9.95.
Yes, your book may be selling at a somewhat higher price than a similar book written by a celebrity. How could it not? No publisher can expect to out-compete the celebrity, unless it loves to flirt with bankruptcy. Celebrity authors are not your competition, you cannot compare the marketability of your work with theirs. One is an apple, the other is an orange.
Your book's competition is the other half a million-plus unknown authors who were published in the past twelve months. Their books list at prices that vary wildly, anywhere from very low to very high and, no, pricing has no impact whatsoever on average sales. Brace yourself:
According to trade magazine Publisher's Weekly, the average book in the U.S. sells 500 copies. However, since that number also includes those celebrity bestsellers, the harsh reality is that eighty percent of all books sell under 100 copies, with a reported average of, get this: fifteen copies.
PublishAmerica is happy to report that our authors do considerably better than that.
Clearly, with 50,000 authors onboard we must be doing something right. It's not hard to see why. It is also not hard to see why, and where, those authors share their appreciation: www.publishamerica.com/testimonials/.
Thank you for having given us the opportunity to explain these sobering facts of life in a little more detail.
Thank you and have a good day,
Brandon
PublishAmerica Support
Brandon@publishamerica.com
Follow us on Twitter at @PubAmericaNews!
Now exactly who does he think he's condescending to? Testimonials-let me tell ya about those since I've been my own Nancy Drew here-I've tried to email these authors and they have no listing in the white pages or online. Their books are only listed with Publish America but no where else. They gave stellar testimonials praising Publish America and how successful their books are. I even looked up the woman who has been in their "This Author's Book made into a movie for Halmark Channel Network and according to them-they have no clue what I am talking about or the website's claim. They do not know the woman or her book. The woman, btw doesn't even have a blog or anything to validate her as a real person. Look, I really want my book to sell and as bad as the publisher is-the author here is very real and has worked very hard and until I can get released from my contract, I have to keep hoping that I can get it out there! I mean we all want to make money but for me I just want my work of art out there you know. I want honest reviews and if it sucks, then it's back to the drawing board. I want to be able to have book signings and to meet people just like me who is striving to make their dream come true. Okay that sounds a little Wizard of Oz huh, but seriously folks what if the Louvre had told Monet, "Well we need you to buy the first 100 paintings and then well we might put you in" because that is what it feels like. I shouldn't have to buy copies of my own book! Actually I would love to buy copies of my own book but here's the deal 1: I get no royalties off any purchase of my own book.(reguardless of how much money I pay out of my pocket I get no royalties), 2: The price, even with the 10% discount, still is unaffordable to me. I mean the whole thing is for me and them to make money right? Can't get blood out of a turnip here and I'm so po' I can't even afford the turnip most days. Okay okay no pity...no pity but seriously my fellow aspiring authors and artists here is the huuuuge lesson! And I'll put in capitol letters!
READ YOUR CONTRACT BEFORE SIGNING. YES IT IS EXCITING TO GET TO THAT STAGE BUT IF YOU DON'T READ EVERY ASPECT OF YOUR CONTRACT YOU ARE GOING TO GET SUCKERED. I BELIEVED THAT THINGS SUCH AS OH I DON'T KNOW PROMOTING MY BOOK OR ATLEAST MAKING IT ACCESSIBLE TO VENDORS THAT THEY BOASTED ABOUT HAVING CONTACTS WITH, MEANT THAT IT WAS TAKEN FOR GRANTED THEY WOULD ACT IN MY BEST INTEREST. NOT THE CASE! DO YOUR HOMEWORK! A PUBLISHER SHOULD NEVER ASK AN AUTHOR TO BUY THEIR OWN BOOKS, A PUBLISHER SHOULD NEVER HAVE THE AUTHOR "PAY" TO HAVE THEIR BOOKS SHOWCASED WITH OTHER BOOKS FROM THE SAME PUBLISHING COMPANY AT EVENTS THE PUBLISHER IS INVOLVED IN. A PUBLISHING HOUSE/COMPANY WANTS TO MAKE MONEY! IF THEY TAKE YOU IN AS A CONTRACTED AUTHOR THEY ARE GOING TO GO THE MILE EVEN IF THEY ARE A SMALL AND INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING HOUSE. THEY WANT TO SELL YOUR BOOK AND THEY WANT YOUR REPEAT BUISNESS! DO YOUR RESEARCH AND IF A PUBLISHER DOESN'T INCLUDE THOSE THINGS-OR WON'T DISCLOSE WHAT THEIR PART OF THE UNDERTAKING IS THEN DO NOT GO WITH THEM NO MATTER HOW GOOD THEIR SITE LOOKS, TESTIMONIALS, ETC. VISIT WWW.WRITERSBEWARE.COM AND AUTHORS DEN. THERE ARE MANY AUTHOR MILLS(PUBLISHING COMPANIES THAT MAKE THEIR MONEY OFF THE AUTHOR AND WILL ACCEPT ANY MANUSCRIPT AND THEN TRY TO SELL IT BACK TO THE AUTHOR REGUARDLESS.I WAS VICTIM ONCE-DON'T YOU BE!
Monday, March 7, 2011
A Most Defining Moment well, one of them.
I'm 36, and I think alot about different things that have led up to this time in my life when what was considered a hobby, always a passion-is now taking center stage. Despite the fiasco that has been Publish America, I did get a book published. It came from a story I had written when I was in about the 10th-11th grade. It was a three page story give or take about a young woman who felt she had nothing-lived in a hum drum town, and meets up with a man that like her was caged by his own demons, yet they find eachother. Looking back at it, it was pretty wishy washy. I just happened to be cleaning out a rubbermaid tub in my closet when I came across it. For some reason, a reason I still don't know-I caught an idea that I quickly dismissed. However, I couldn't get the story that was going on inside my head to just lay down and die so when I was at the store, I bought up a few notebooks and hence Night of the Guardians or Renegade Night as it is known now was born. I for some reason am thinking about one of the best pieces of advice I ever got, and it was from my 7th grade English teacher, Mr.James Hensley.
Mr.Hensley was one of those rare breed of teachers that didn't show up every day to collect a check or preached some state required English lesson plan. No, Mr.Hensley was his own Mr.Holland. Every month, we got a poem(Mine to this day is Little Orphan Annie-I used to scare my younger siblings with it)to read through and memorize and then say in front of the class. If for some reason Mr.Hensley thought we had done a good job, he would video tape us. I had been video taped twice. Once was for Twas the Night Before Christmas and the second time was at the end of the year. I remember that day like it was yesterday. All of us were told we could read whatever poem we had done that year. My second favorite poem was Annabelle Lee by Edgar Allen Poe and that was the one I wanted to do! However, after class, he had asked me to stay after. I sat, waiting until everyone had filed out and it was just me and Mr.Hensley. He walked over and sat in the desk next to me and handed me a piece of paper. It was a poem called, Strawberry Hills that I had written and gave to him. I don't know why I had given him one of my poems, because unlike story writing, my poetry is just too personal and private. I think I must have given it to him because I wanted to see what he thought and because I dearly loved him-and trusted him. I remember thinking, "Oh he hates it! Why did I give him this?" but what he told me shocked me! "Nicole, this is the poem I want you to give for your presentation. You have so much talent, and Annabelle Lee would be a poor representation of everything you've learned about poetry." I can remember feeling sick at my stomach! I couldn't read my poem in front of my class-what if they laughed? What if they made fun? I wasn't popular and I wasn't the type of girl that everyone just fell in love with! I had friends and was liked but I wasn't one of "those girls". There was no way I was reading this poem! I didn't want to be mocked forever! I think we can all agree, kids can be cruel. Mr.Hensley took my hand and patted it, and told me he knew exactly what I was feeling, but this poem was just too good to not share. He believed in me, and I found myself nodding and accepting to read my poem for the class. A few weeks later, and after most of the class had read their poems, it was my turn. I stood up in front at the podeum, and I got stage fright. I couldn't utter one stanza let alone say the whole thing. Mr.Hensley was smiling in back of the class and winked at me. For some reason, perhaps divine intervention, my nerves subsided and I began to read. I remember after I read it, the room was silent. No hoards of applause or anything. The next day, Mr.Hensley asked us as a class to vote for our favorite poem that was read the day before. I voted for Steven Aldridge because he had read Annabelle Lee and had read it as if he was Edgar Allen Poe. Everyone had clapped so he got my vote. When the votes had been tallied Mr.Hensley read the names of the three that would be video taped and recorded for future classes. Stacy Wright, Steven Aldridge, and suprisingly to me-MY POEM would be one of the 3! I didn't know how to think or feel. My classmates or some of them anyhow had voted for mine! I don't know why but visions of Stephen King's Carrie was coming to mind. Was I voted for as a joke but after class, many girls even those whom weren't in my social circle was congratulating me. Even Steven had said he liked my poem. Later that week, we all met after school and read our poems infront of Mr.Hensley's video camera. After I read, he told me, "I can see great things for you Nicole. Don't ever give up on writing-it's your talent and I'll be looking for great things from you!" I look back, and I'm not a best seller and I've been a real procrastinator on finishing school. 36, I'm late to the game of being an accomplished author. The road is still long, long, long, but I'm ready to start paying my dues. So I guess what I want each of you that read this to take from this is no matter where you are in life-don't give up on things you are passionate about! You may not become Hollywood's next big thing or a world class musician or performer or even a best selling author, but if you give up then ask yourself-can you live with the fact you had this great talent-this great passion, and you never tried? For me, I can't live with that! I can't live with not ever knowing. So don't give up-keep trying! Keep honing your skills and talents!Never take "no" for an answer, even if it's you that keeps asking the question! CARPE DIEM..no Carpe La Vie! Seize the Life! You only get one!
Mr.Hensley was one of those rare breed of teachers that didn't show up every day to collect a check or preached some state required English lesson plan. No, Mr.Hensley was his own Mr.Holland. Every month, we got a poem(Mine to this day is Little Orphan Annie-I used to scare my younger siblings with it)to read through and memorize and then say in front of the class. If for some reason Mr.Hensley thought we had done a good job, he would video tape us. I had been video taped twice. Once was for Twas the Night Before Christmas and the second time was at the end of the year. I remember that day like it was yesterday. All of us were told we could read whatever poem we had done that year. My second favorite poem was Annabelle Lee by Edgar Allen Poe and that was the one I wanted to do! However, after class, he had asked me to stay after. I sat, waiting until everyone had filed out and it was just me and Mr.Hensley. He walked over and sat in the desk next to me and handed me a piece of paper. It was a poem called, Strawberry Hills that I had written and gave to him. I don't know why I had given him one of my poems, because unlike story writing, my poetry is just too personal and private. I think I must have given it to him because I wanted to see what he thought and because I dearly loved him-and trusted him. I remember thinking, "Oh he hates it! Why did I give him this?" but what he told me shocked me! "Nicole, this is the poem I want you to give for your presentation. You have so much talent, and Annabelle Lee would be a poor representation of everything you've learned about poetry." I can remember feeling sick at my stomach! I couldn't read my poem in front of my class-what if they laughed? What if they made fun? I wasn't popular and I wasn't the type of girl that everyone just fell in love with! I had friends and was liked but I wasn't one of "those girls". There was no way I was reading this poem! I didn't want to be mocked forever! I think we can all agree, kids can be cruel. Mr.Hensley took my hand and patted it, and told me he knew exactly what I was feeling, but this poem was just too good to not share. He believed in me, and I found myself nodding and accepting to read my poem for the class. A few weeks later, and after most of the class had read their poems, it was my turn. I stood up in front at the podeum, and I got stage fright. I couldn't utter one stanza let alone say the whole thing. Mr.Hensley was smiling in back of the class and winked at me. For some reason, perhaps divine intervention, my nerves subsided and I began to read. I remember after I read it, the room was silent. No hoards of applause or anything. The next day, Mr.Hensley asked us as a class to vote for our favorite poem that was read the day before. I voted for Steven Aldridge because he had read Annabelle Lee and had read it as if he was Edgar Allen Poe. Everyone had clapped so he got my vote. When the votes had been tallied Mr.Hensley read the names of the three that would be video taped and recorded for future classes. Stacy Wright, Steven Aldridge, and suprisingly to me-MY POEM would be one of the 3! I didn't know how to think or feel. My classmates or some of them anyhow had voted for mine! I don't know why but visions of Stephen King's Carrie was coming to mind. Was I voted for as a joke but after class, many girls even those whom weren't in my social circle was congratulating me. Even Steven had said he liked my poem. Later that week, we all met after school and read our poems infront of Mr.Hensley's video camera. After I read, he told me, "I can see great things for you Nicole. Don't ever give up on writing-it's your talent and I'll be looking for great things from you!" I look back, and I'm not a best seller and I've been a real procrastinator on finishing school. 36, I'm late to the game of being an accomplished author. The road is still long, long, long, but I'm ready to start paying my dues. So I guess what I want each of you that read this to take from this is no matter where you are in life-don't give up on things you are passionate about! You may not become Hollywood's next big thing or a world class musician or performer or even a best selling author, but if you give up then ask yourself-can you live with the fact you had this great talent-this great passion, and you never tried? For me, I can't live with that! I can't live with not ever knowing. So don't give up-keep trying! Keep honing your skills and talents!Never take "no" for an answer, even if it's you that keeps asking the question! CARPE DIEM..no Carpe La Vie! Seize the Life! You only get one!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Journal Entry found from the the Journal of Warren Langford(Renegade Night extra)
August 5,1930
It's been almost a year since my fall from grace. I've stopped fighting my blood lust. These hands of mine that once healed, tear flesh from bone now. I never believed it before, but there is power with each kill I make. I make no discrimination with my victims. Children are more sweeter, but their memories and life essence is so puny that it's hardly a satisfying meal. True, maddness has taken root, but I no longer care. In every mortal that I kill, I see her eyes, those violet blue eyes that once captivated me and enslaved me. She was once so fragile and beautiful or so I thought. I thought she would be mine, but when she stood there laughing as the last of what used to be my heart shattered at her feet, I welcomed the maddness! I welcomed the blood! I found rapture in the kill! Gone is the good doctor, and all that is left is Warren. Mordacai and his pathetic attempts to bring light back into my non exisistent soul is laughable. The council is a joke! Even now I feel the presence of their Guardians, but they won't have me just yet. With every passing moment, every tick of the clock, I hear hearts beating outside my door. I hear their blood flowing in their veins. The beast in me roars inside my head and it's something I can't ignore, something I won't ignore! Still those violet-blue eyes haunt me. I do not know why I spared her life, other than to let her live with the agony. Perhaps I'll change my mind and hunt her down-perhaps I'll drain her slowly. Perhaps I'll make her feel every bit of pain she inflicted upon me. There is much to think about. Much to do.
Warren Langford
It's been almost a year since my fall from grace. I've stopped fighting my blood lust. These hands of mine that once healed, tear flesh from bone now. I never believed it before, but there is power with each kill I make. I make no discrimination with my victims. Children are more sweeter, but their memories and life essence is so puny that it's hardly a satisfying meal. True, maddness has taken root, but I no longer care. In every mortal that I kill, I see her eyes, those violet blue eyes that once captivated me and enslaved me. She was once so fragile and beautiful or so I thought. I thought she would be mine, but when she stood there laughing as the last of what used to be my heart shattered at her feet, I welcomed the maddness! I welcomed the blood! I found rapture in the kill! Gone is the good doctor, and all that is left is Warren. Mordacai and his pathetic attempts to bring light back into my non exisistent soul is laughable. The council is a joke! Even now I feel the presence of their Guardians, but they won't have me just yet. With every passing moment, every tick of the clock, I hear hearts beating outside my door. I hear their blood flowing in their veins. The beast in me roars inside my head and it's something I can't ignore, something I won't ignore! Still those violet-blue eyes haunt me. I do not know why I spared her life, other than to let her live with the agony. Perhaps I'll change my mind and hunt her down-perhaps I'll drain her slowly. Perhaps I'll make her feel every bit of pain she inflicted upon me. There is much to think about. Much to do.
Warren Langford
Thursday, March 3, 2011
PLEASE CHECK OUT DENYSE BRIDGER
One of the most wonderful up and coming authors I have not only had the pleasure of getting to know but can call friend, is Denyse Bridger. Her books are guarenteed to not spark but ignite your love of reading a great romance novel. Her books range from time period romances to thrillers. Denyse Bridger is one to check out! I don't usually endorse anyone, other than those we already know but Denyse Bridger is a master artisan of the craft of writing and I know you'll fall in love with her stories as much as I have! So what are you waiting for? Visit Denyse Bridger at the above link! You can also find Denyse Bridger on Facebook.
This Writer's Angst
Yesterday I got an email from the publisher of my book, Renegade Night. As many of you know I've not been too happy with them and yesterday just cranked my anger at them another notch. Publish America is doing away with its discounts. No longer will authors be able to get discounts should they decide to buy their own books which by the way is the only people they seem to be pitching books to. To even have my book at any of their so-called "events", I have to buy copies. I only get a basic 10 percent discount per book I order. That would not be so bad if my book was at an affordable price. My book is not even in hard cover, but in soft cover. My book when it started was 25.99 plus tax. Of course I contacted all sorts of bookstores and many of them were glad to have a local author but unless I consigned copies, the stores would not carry my book because the price points were so high. As of January this year my book went all the way to 35.99 plus tax and shipping costs. I've tried to pass along the discounts to people who were interested and not one person could utilize those discounts. I am very VERY VERY grateful to each and every one who has purchased a copy, however I am so disappointed that the price points are still not affordable and are still high. I checked with other soft cover books that exceed the pages of my book and 96 percent of them are all considerably lower and by independent new authors as well as widely known ones. So now they are discontinuing discounts all together and not lowering the price of books. I don't know what to do at this point. I still try to advertise on here, my facebook and myspace pages, and even through my own website, but it's hard especially with today's economy for me to morally ask people to purchase a soft cover book at 35.99 plus tax and shipping. I find it morally and ethically wrong for Publish America to pitch my book to me to buy(which books I buy of my own I don't get royalties on and I've not seen one dime off any of the books that have been purchased so far)for Publish America to have at these events. Over half the events I have researched to find Publish America is not even a vendor or a part of. Publish America has a legal team and many people have tried to sue them to only be defeated. I was naieve when I signed my contract and I thought even if it was a lousy deal the price points would still be affordable. So I am here to tell anyone who is wanting to write and have their works published DO NOT GO THROUGH PUBLISH AMERICA! There are many more author mills(publishers who utilize practices like Publish America that try to make money off the author instead of trying to market the books to the mass market) out there. Please go to http://writersbeware.com because they have lists of these so called author mill publishers and Publish America is listed. I didn't know that then but I know that now and I want to pass along that information to all of you who might read this. Spread the word! These people are cons and frauds. They will take your work-edited by you and then they copy and paste it to a standard word document and then do a general spell check and not even care that sometimes spell and document check creates more errors. Then they will give you a half ass book cover art that is not original that is just basically from a catalog of clip art and then boost the price so high that no one really is going to buy the book, they will tell you they are going to send press releases to your local media which they do not, and you are going to have a next to impossible time getting book stores as well as libraries to carry your work because of the price. You are the one they are going to pitch the book to and getting customer service help via the publishing department is like trying to get water from a rock. I've tried, I wouldn't say this just to be disgruntled over the lack of sales-I'm telling you this because it's been my experience. I have saved every email from them and none of them is how to get my book out there unless I buy copies of my own book. No other legit publisher does this. They want to make money and whether they are an E-publisher or a book publisher they are going to circulate your book. That is one reason why it is so hard to find a literary agent or legit publisher because they are going to do what it takes to get your book out there and on shelves or computer screens. They are going to be there with you through every step of the way and are not going to ask you to buy your own book because they know that is not your job it's their job as publishers. I don't know how to get the ball rolling on getting these parasites out of a job, and I've written to Maryland's Attorney General, Govenor, and Better Buisness Bureau to have it fall on deaf ears. I am not going to give up but that's where I'm at with my book. So my plan is to keep on writing and creating and hopefully one day get picked up by a legit publisher/or literary agent. They are out there and they want your submissions but you have to be good! You have to have that spark that when an editor looks at your work, they are enveloped in your story within the first few pages. It's got to be something unique and something they know they can market. That's why it's so hard to get published. Many best selling authors will tell you that it took them years and alot of hard work. I'm willing to do the hard work and take the time but I'm not wasting no more time with Publish America and other author mills. I'm not going to let something that I've poured my blood,sweat, and tears and have this happen twice. You should not let it happen even once! I still refuse to self-publish my work because I want the prestige of being chosen by a legit publisher/agent, but if self publishing is right for you, then do it! It may mean you have to do most of the leg work yourself but self publish with a place like Lulu publishing that is not going to cost you out of pocket. Know the genre your writing for. I write paranormal romance but I also write other things such as poetry(Which I'm not having published), children's stories, contemporary literature, and whatever else comes into my mind. I feel like I'm a painter and some days I'm painting landscapes and other days I'm like Dali; a surrealist. Somedays I feel a bit Rembrant and then there are times when Van Gough, Picasso, or even Warhol. It just depends on what picture comes into my mind at the time. I am no where near Dickens, Bronte, Kenyon, or Poe but I think I'm going to get there. I get an idea or inspiration for a story, it plays in my mind like a slow reel movie before I put it to paper or my canvas. I do alot of erasing and painting over and by the time its done, I have to stand back and look at it to make sure that the words I've painted flow and create the story that's in my mind. Writing for me is a passion-it's something that was always very private and it takes alot for me to entrust someone else to see it, but in the end I have to like what I've written. If I wouldn't read it, I know no one else would. I am my own worst critic. So when you read Renegade Night or anything else I've written and put out there, you should know that it has came from the very depths of my soul and I've put 100% into it. You may not like it and that's okay, but you will know that I've put everything I have and more into it. So to have some place like Publish America basically rip it to shreds, it's like driving a knife into my heart and I don't want that to happen to anyone. So for my fellow aspiring writers, and those crazy people out there like me that has this driving ambition, never give up and never surrender but be wary of who you choose to take the reigns of your dream. So keep writing,drawing, painting or whatever it is that is in your soul to do! Just beware of those leeches out there that lie in wait to bastardize your hard work.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Indiana Un Constitutional-C'mon now don't turn a blind eye here!
I live in Indiana. I have to say today I really became ashamed to be a Hoosier. Today it was announced that the Indiana Government had voted to add a Constitutional amendment that would ban all Gay Marriages and Civil Unions. When this issue was being debated churches from all over the state of Indiana came out in droves to the hearings to have their voices heard. Many citizens including those who are gay, came out as well to. There is nothing in any Constitution,Articles of Confederation, Declaration of Independence, or the Bill of Rights that defines what marriage is or decries Homosexuality. The Constitution of the USA put Separation of Church and State for a reason, and Indiana apparently must be immune from that. The only arguments anyone had against Gay Marriage was religeon based. Let's cut the "God" part of it out, why is Marriage between gay people so bad? Why, because they are morally corrupt or deviant? They don't pay taxes? They are more likely to start up drug cartels or porn rings? They are more apt to beat their spouses or have children they can't care for? They are more likely to divorce? They spread disease?
Okay here are the facts:
1. Most gay relationships are more committed than straight ones. According to national statistics, the divorce rate and infidelity rate and abuse rates are higher among straight oriented individuals than that of gay and trangendered. That is not saying that abuse doesn't happen or infidelity but it's lower. Don't believe me, look at your local papers and see just how many people file for divorce every single day.
2.Gay people are no more apt to be deviant or criminals than straight people are. Sex as long as its consentual between 2 adults is their buisness not mine, yours, or the government. Any kind of sex that isn't the missionary position is considered deviant. In many countries, sex that is performed on non married people is considered deviant and in some places against the law. Sex that involves multiple partners(for those of you out there that aren't in a committed relationship) is considered indecent and deviant. Sex that involves "toys" is considered deviant. Maturbation is considered deviant. If a person looks at Playboy/Girl or girly or guy magazines, they're considered deviant and I bet there are lots of Senators and Reps out there that not only look at these magazines and porn not to mention have wild monkey sex with their signifigant others, are deviant. So what is the big deal with what people do in their bedrooms? What is the big deal? Again, as long as its consentual, who cares? Saying gay people cause disease is ridiculous! Since the dawn of the AIDS epidemic it's been proven that more straight people are at risk than those who are homosexual. So get off that excuse.
3.Many gay people hold jobs and pay taxes just like straight people do. Many of them are judges, doctors, surgeons, in law enforcement, Firemen and women, are overseas right now in our military defending and putting their own lives at risk for us and others, and the list goes on. They pay their tax money to a government who is trying to dictate their right to love and their right to happiness that the Declaration of Indpendence guarentees us all.
4. There are no gay people going to schools waving around their "gay" wands wanting to convert innocent children to a gay lifestyle. Many gay people who have children or have adopted children are excellent parents and their children are no more gay than their parents are straight. They grow up in a loving home and most of them statistic wise are drug free, don't wind up preggers, or dropping out of school. They are just as likely to go to a 4 year college as a child that has been raised in a straight household.
5. What is marriage anyway? It's a legality is all. It is the union between two people that love one another or wish to commit themselves to one another legally. They get tax write offs and get all the same priveledges that married couples get. Is that what is worrying the Indiana GOP, is that they'll have to give out deductions? Or that a gay couple will be in charge of making legal decisions? Are they worried about divorce rates increasing? I mean how worse could it get, I mean we already have high divorce rates already. Some gay people have been together comitted, for over 20 years.
I just think that the Government has enough on their plate without telling people who they can be happy with! Gay people are not going to go away!Many of what I listed happens more among straight people than gay people. England, one of our supernations, has legalized gay marriage and their country hasn't crumbled. The moral fiber hasn't went straight to the dogs and they have just as many churches if not more than the US does. So many countries are getting caught up with the 21st century,so why can't we? It wasn't long ago that a man named Hitler convinced a whole country that Jews were ignorant, were evil, and were the enemy. Hitler orchestrated one of the largest genocides in history next to Rwanda. In early Colonial America, anyone who looked different or didn't pray enough or 100 other petty reasons, was executed for being a witch. Slavery in America lasted over 100 years and blacks were denied Civil Rights until the Civil Rights movement because it was still believed that black people were not entitled because of the color of their skin. They weren't even allowed to vote or their children attend the same school as white children because it was believed that the two races just could not co-exsist together and that black people were not intelligent enough. Tell that one to Oprah Winfrey why don't you. I dare you. So if we've come so far as far as race relations are concerned, why can't we go a bit farther and give Gay people the same rights as we all have? Why is religeon carrying any weight at all in these matters? I see the religeous aspect of the argument but the thing still stands: We have Separation of Church and State and our Fore Fathers knew what they were doing because Religeon had played too much apart in England. To have a country that was built on people having rights and people being able to thrive and a solid government they had to create something unlike that of England and other European countries. So Separation of Church and State was put there for a reason and it's a damn shame that it's not being held up in the state of Indiana.
Okay here are the facts:
1. Most gay relationships are more committed than straight ones. According to national statistics, the divorce rate and infidelity rate and abuse rates are higher among straight oriented individuals than that of gay and trangendered. That is not saying that abuse doesn't happen or infidelity but it's lower. Don't believe me, look at your local papers and see just how many people file for divorce every single day.
2.Gay people are no more apt to be deviant or criminals than straight people are. Sex as long as its consentual between 2 adults is their buisness not mine, yours, or the government. Any kind of sex that isn't the missionary position is considered deviant. In many countries, sex that is performed on non married people is considered deviant and in some places against the law. Sex that involves multiple partners(for those of you out there that aren't in a committed relationship) is considered indecent and deviant. Sex that involves "toys" is considered deviant. Maturbation is considered deviant. If a person looks at Playboy/Girl or girly or guy magazines, they're considered deviant and I bet there are lots of Senators and Reps out there that not only look at these magazines and porn not to mention have wild monkey sex with their signifigant others, are deviant. So what is the big deal with what people do in their bedrooms? What is the big deal? Again, as long as its consentual, who cares? Saying gay people cause disease is ridiculous! Since the dawn of the AIDS epidemic it's been proven that more straight people are at risk than those who are homosexual. So get off that excuse.
3.Many gay people hold jobs and pay taxes just like straight people do. Many of them are judges, doctors, surgeons, in law enforcement, Firemen and women, are overseas right now in our military defending and putting their own lives at risk for us and others, and the list goes on. They pay their tax money to a government who is trying to dictate their right to love and their right to happiness that the Declaration of Indpendence guarentees us all.
4. There are no gay people going to schools waving around their "gay" wands wanting to convert innocent children to a gay lifestyle. Many gay people who have children or have adopted children are excellent parents and their children are no more gay than their parents are straight. They grow up in a loving home and most of them statistic wise are drug free, don't wind up preggers, or dropping out of school. They are just as likely to go to a 4 year college as a child that has been raised in a straight household.
5. What is marriage anyway? It's a legality is all. It is the union between two people that love one another or wish to commit themselves to one another legally. They get tax write offs and get all the same priveledges that married couples get. Is that what is worrying the Indiana GOP, is that they'll have to give out deductions? Or that a gay couple will be in charge of making legal decisions? Are they worried about divorce rates increasing? I mean how worse could it get, I mean we already have high divorce rates already. Some gay people have been together comitted, for over 20 years.
I just think that the Government has enough on their plate without telling people who they can be happy with! Gay people are not going to go away!Many of what I listed happens more among straight people than gay people. England, one of our supernations, has legalized gay marriage and their country hasn't crumbled. The moral fiber hasn't went straight to the dogs and they have just as many churches if not more than the US does. So many countries are getting caught up with the 21st century,so why can't we? It wasn't long ago that a man named Hitler convinced a whole country that Jews were ignorant, were evil, and were the enemy. Hitler orchestrated one of the largest genocides in history next to Rwanda. In early Colonial America, anyone who looked different or didn't pray enough or 100 other petty reasons, was executed for being a witch. Slavery in America lasted over 100 years and blacks were denied Civil Rights until the Civil Rights movement because it was still believed that black people were not entitled because of the color of their skin. They weren't even allowed to vote or their children attend the same school as white children because it was believed that the two races just could not co-exsist together and that black people were not intelligent enough. Tell that one to Oprah Winfrey why don't you. I dare you. So if we've come so far as far as race relations are concerned, why can't we go a bit farther and give Gay people the same rights as we all have? Why is religeon carrying any weight at all in these matters? I see the religeous aspect of the argument but the thing still stands: We have Separation of Church and State and our Fore Fathers knew what they were doing because Religeon had played too much apart in England. To have a country that was built on people having rights and people being able to thrive and a solid government they had to create something unlike that of England and other European countries. So Separation of Church and State was put there for a reason and it's a damn shame that it's not being held up in the state of Indiana.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
The 21st Century and We've Still Not Evolved, or Have We?
I live in Indiana and the latest topic for the GOP's of my state is Gay Marriage. It's a topic that's on every state's agenda. For me, I don't see why it is an issue. Take the religeous aspect out of it and what do you have, two people's right to be recognized legally as a married union. Still on the fence? Okay let's go back in history, in the dawn of when the first people came to the New World(America) did you know that it was illegal for an Native American man or woman to marry a white? Did you know that men that took Native American women as wives could only do so after the woman had given birth to a child that was half white and half Native American. Did you know that at the dawn of Slavery, it was illegal for a white man or woman to be married? That lasted until the Civil Right's Movement. Men could impregnate black women and the children that resulted from those unions could not inherit even if the white man included them in a legal will. Why? Blacks as well as Native Americans weren't even considered American back then. Thousands of Native Americans were driven from their lands and put onto reservations because it was deemed somewhere that they didn't have the intelligence to have their own land, they could be a potential danger to society, and alot of other BS reasons. Blacks even after Slavery was abolished were not allowed to vote, were segregated for years, and were treated worse than the Indians. They had only the right to breathe basically and not be owned. Some people listened to all the negative hype and instilled fear and negative propaganda into the minds of society. I dare any of you to tell Oprah Winfrey she's not intelligent enough to vote, own a buisness, or could be threat to society. I double dog dare you.
So what does that have to do with gay people? Alot. We learned that slavery was wrong and that black(African/American) were ridiculously persecuted for their skin and ethincity. Keeping the basic fundamental freedoms that apply to us all from them as well as the Native Americans, was WRONG. It is the same with homosexual and transgendered people. It's the same small mindedness but only this time instead of picking on a race of people, we're going after a person's right to choose who they find happiness with. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights has Separation of Church and State for a reason and using the "God" defense is a violation of that. Homophobia is ruling in this debate with our government and it's sad really, because after everything and all the strides our Country has made in reguards to race relations, our country is still in the dark about homosexuality.
The God defense.
I was raised in a Christian home. Believe me, my grandparents were very religeous and to this day my grandma still reads her Bible. Do I think the Bible is wrong? No, but BUT I remember one verse clearly:"Judge Ye Not Lest Ye Be Judged". The Bible also says, "For a man to lie with another man, it is an abomination in the eyes of the Lord". Now what I have a problem with is the holy Bible is the most relgeous text that has been translated more than any other known text. I believe that back then, people did not know about homosexuality. I mean there was a time when I didn't believe it to be right either. Think back to ancient times of civilization when a lone prophet is translating from a scroll that some other lone prophet had written, and one day this prophet sees something between two men or two women and runs to his Rabbi or High Priest. The High Priest/Rabbi medatates on it and since the 10 commandments are the only known written by God, what if the Rabbi/Priest doesn't wait for his answer from God? What if he just doesn't know the answer anymore than the lone prophet? What if, what if, what if...see where I'm going? I know someone is screaming "Blasphemer", "Godless Hussy", and "SINNER" somewhere at me while they're reading this. It's okay, we all come short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 and no one has to answer for me but me and thee. So see, it's all good. Back to the thinkology here: My point is back then no one knew anything about what makes a man desire a man or a woman desire a woman. No one knew anything about a man who could not identify with his sexuality or a woman who couldn't understand why she didn't feel like a she. These things were unexplained thus written as sins. Other than scripture, I dont' recall any 10 commandment, Golden Rule, Be-Attitudes, or declaritive against homosexuality or gender identity crisis. Why would I expect there to be? It's not like Perez Hilton was throwing out the gay parades in Jeruseulem.The point is, why should this matter in the processes of Government? Our Fore Fathers knew what they were doing when they made Separation of Church and State because in England too many times politics and religeon went hand in hand and became corrupt. Don't believe me, just look in your history books. It's chock full of it. King Henry the VIII was excommunicated from the Catholic church to form his own Church of England(to which he was the head) so he could grant himself a divorce from his first wife, Katherine. So tell me Henry boy here didn't have the cards on both ends in his favor? Anyone who defied the church of England spent a short stay at the Tower of London and had their head put on a pike...so maybe you wouldn't want to tell me. Our Fore Fathers put in Separation of Church and State to keep a balance and to keep Religeon out of State matters as well as the government out of deciding how a person could worship and pray. Every instance of where Government has let religeon step a foot in there has been disaster. Examples? Of course you knew I would have some.
Salem Witch Trials
Spanish Inquisition
The Holocaust(Which btw brought about a war and one of the largest known genocides in history)
The Christian Crusades
Crucifixions and people put to death in the names of relgeons in Ancient Greece,Rome, and other parts of the world)
The French Revolution-one of the bloodiest
Iran and Iraq
Afganastan
Thirty Years of War
and the list goes on and on.
So why are politicians allowing religeous debates on the subject of gay marriage to be heard to begin with?
The Statistics and Common Sense of Evolution
1.It is being found more and more with research that a person's sexuality and sexual identity is not a lifestyle choice, but rather could be something genetic. Think of it like this-you have a field of all yellow flowers. They're all the same color, same genus-species-and family, and yet out of the thousands of yellow blooms there is one that is white. Now it has the same number of petals, same fragrance, same length of stem, and same leaves but it's white. Other than one small difference it's basically the same. The same can be said about homosexual and transgendered people: they are just different but basically the same as everyone else. They are human, they have the same organs, the same life functions and processes, and are classified as part of the human race. If they are American born, then they are Americans and issued a social security number upon recipt of their births being recorded.
2. No one can catch "Gay". I had a good friend that one time told me, "Nik, why would I ever choose to be gay? I am gay, but I can't change that, if I could I would." I was shocked. My friend is gay and he's never denied it, but he didn't wear a sign on his shirt either. So I asked him what he meant and this is what he told me. "Nikki, every day I have to be told that I'm wrong, I'm disgusting, I'm a pervert, I'm going to burn in hell, and the list goes on. I have to worry about if I go to a bar or even to the store, if someone's going to beat me to death or just blow my brains out because there are so many nuts out there that has no clue what it's like to be me, but hates me without even knowing me. They don't care that I work every day and that I don't hit on straight men. They don't care that I pay taxes or that I've raised my niece on my own. They don't care that I've been in a disease free relationship for x amount of years. Automatically it's decided I'm a sinner, a disease waiting to happen, and I'm out there in the world to prey upon children and every straight man out there. If I go to a gym, they worry if I'm going to check them out in the locker room." I did what most people like me would do and said, "That's crazy, that's not you at all!" and he nodded, "It's not but they don't care. That is how the world or atleast everyone here sees me and I hate it but until things change that's what I have to deal with. Believe me if I could be straight I would." Was he a self hating gay man, no just the opposite. I found with people both men and women I've met throughout the past 20 years that are gay and lesbian that they are proud of who they are but would have never "chosen" to be gay. According to National Geographic, there are over 500 species of animals that mate with or try to with their same sex counterparts. Animals don't have choices, they live by instinct. So do we just anhilate all the animals in that bracket because they're different? We're already anhilating animals by what we're doing to the environment. So for me, it's not a choice that a person makes when it comes to attraction or who they end up with.
3. Men and women of same sex unions have had relationships that last longer than most staright marriages. Why? I don't know, but they are more comitted. Men and women of same sex unions are less promiscious(I know maybe not in the 70s-but then how many straight people weren't promiscious in the late 60's and 70's) than most straight men and women. Men and women who have children but are in a homosexual or lesbian relationship, their children do just as well mentally and physically as children of straight parentage. The rate of children who are parented by homosexual and lesbian parents is low that they end up being homosexual or lesbian. These children also have been proven to not be high risk in schools and in their communities, are least likely to be a burden on society, less likely to become teen mothers and fathers, and are more likely to finish a 4 year college. The rate of drug and alcoholism among these children are less as well. Now does that mean that there aren't bad parents that are homosexual? No, bad parents come from all walks of race,color,creed, and sexual orientation.
Gay and Lesbian people pay taxes just like everyone else. They work jobs, they own buisnesses, and some even serve in our military and in law enforcement and fire departments. They are deserving of the same rights you and I have. They are guarenteed these freedoms over and over by the Declaration of Indpendence, The Bill of Rights, and the Constitution. No where in our legal law does it say "Everyone but Homosexuals are entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". I'm not downing religeous freedom or religeon-I'm only saying it has no place in our Government. If you're laying on the operating table, or you're in a burning building, or you're being held at gun point...does it really matter who your doctor/surgeon, fireman or woman, or police man is going home to? It's none of our buisness who a person finds happiness with? Do you really want the government based on religeon, telling people who they can be with? Because if your still on the fence, we're going to go into a direction where we don't want to be and that is a communist or dictatorship. This isn't Nazi Germany, Hussein's Iraq, Bin Laden's Al Quida, or even Henry's England; it's America: Land of the Free, Home of the Brave and we're a super power country that needs to get with the 21st Century and evolve! Marriage is a legal union between two individuals that love one another and want to be recognized as such. It's time to get over the whole "Marriage is only between a man and a woman" because we're finding out through common sense and evolution that no one can control who they fall in love with when it's consenting adults.(I put that there for all the freaks who say, "Well what about children"-seriously people no one is talking about letting pedophiles and twisted inviduals here). So I encourage all of you-do some research. Visit sites like www.glaad.org, and educate yourself on the subject of homosexuality. No matter what your final conclusion is, you should at least know the people that are just asking for what we all have and that is just to be allowed to be happy!
So what does that have to do with gay people? Alot. We learned that slavery was wrong and that black(African/American) were ridiculously persecuted for their skin and ethincity. Keeping the basic fundamental freedoms that apply to us all from them as well as the Native Americans, was WRONG. It is the same with homosexual and transgendered people. It's the same small mindedness but only this time instead of picking on a race of people, we're going after a person's right to choose who they find happiness with. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights has Separation of Church and State for a reason and using the "God" defense is a violation of that. Homophobia is ruling in this debate with our government and it's sad really, because after everything and all the strides our Country has made in reguards to race relations, our country is still in the dark about homosexuality.
The God defense.
I was raised in a Christian home. Believe me, my grandparents were very religeous and to this day my grandma still reads her Bible. Do I think the Bible is wrong? No, but BUT I remember one verse clearly:"Judge Ye Not Lest Ye Be Judged". The Bible also says, "For a man to lie with another man, it is an abomination in the eyes of the Lord". Now what I have a problem with is the holy Bible is the most relgeous text that has been translated more than any other known text. I believe that back then, people did not know about homosexuality. I mean there was a time when I didn't believe it to be right either. Think back to ancient times of civilization when a lone prophet is translating from a scroll that some other lone prophet had written, and one day this prophet sees something between two men or two women and runs to his Rabbi or High Priest. The High Priest/Rabbi medatates on it and since the 10 commandments are the only known written by God, what if the Rabbi/Priest doesn't wait for his answer from God? What if he just doesn't know the answer anymore than the lone prophet? What if, what if, what if...see where I'm going? I know someone is screaming "Blasphemer", "Godless Hussy", and "SINNER" somewhere at me while they're reading this. It's okay, we all come short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 and no one has to answer for me but me and thee. So see, it's all good. Back to the thinkology here: My point is back then no one knew anything about what makes a man desire a man or a woman desire a woman. No one knew anything about a man who could not identify with his sexuality or a woman who couldn't understand why she didn't feel like a she. These things were unexplained thus written as sins. Other than scripture, I dont' recall any 10 commandment, Golden Rule, Be-Attitudes, or declaritive against homosexuality or gender identity crisis. Why would I expect there to be? It's not like Perez Hilton was throwing out the gay parades in Jeruseulem.The point is, why should this matter in the processes of Government? Our Fore Fathers knew what they were doing when they made Separation of Church and State because in England too many times politics and religeon went hand in hand and became corrupt. Don't believe me, just look in your history books. It's chock full of it. King Henry the VIII was excommunicated from the Catholic church to form his own Church of England(to which he was the head) so he could grant himself a divorce from his first wife, Katherine. So tell me Henry boy here didn't have the cards on both ends in his favor? Anyone who defied the church of England spent a short stay at the Tower of London and had their head put on a pike...so maybe you wouldn't want to tell me. Our Fore Fathers put in Separation of Church and State to keep a balance and to keep Religeon out of State matters as well as the government out of deciding how a person could worship and pray. Every instance of where Government has let religeon step a foot in there has been disaster. Examples? Of course you knew I would have some.
Salem Witch Trials
Spanish Inquisition
The Holocaust(Which btw brought about a war and one of the largest known genocides in history)
The Christian Crusades
Crucifixions and people put to death in the names of relgeons in Ancient Greece,Rome, and other parts of the world)
The French Revolution-one of the bloodiest
Iran and Iraq
Afganastan
Thirty Years of War
and the list goes on and on.
So why are politicians allowing religeous debates on the subject of gay marriage to be heard to begin with?
The Statistics and Common Sense of Evolution
1.It is being found more and more with research that a person's sexuality and sexual identity is not a lifestyle choice, but rather could be something genetic. Think of it like this-you have a field of all yellow flowers. They're all the same color, same genus-species-and family, and yet out of the thousands of yellow blooms there is one that is white. Now it has the same number of petals, same fragrance, same length of stem, and same leaves but it's white. Other than one small difference it's basically the same. The same can be said about homosexual and transgendered people: they are just different but basically the same as everyone else. They are human, they have the same organs, the same life functions and processes, and are classified as part of the human race. If they are American born, then they are Americans and issued a social security number upon recipt of their births being recorded.
2. No one can catch "Gay". I had a good friend that one time told me, "Nik, why would I ever choose to be gay? I am gay, but I can't change that, if I could I would." I was shocked. My friend is gay and he's never denied it, but he didn't wear a sign on his shirt either. So I asked him what he meant and this is what he told me. "Nikki, every day I have to be told that I'm wrong, I'm disgusting, I'm a pervert, I'm going to burn in hell, and the list goes on. I have to worry about if I go to a bar or even to the store, if someone's going to beat me to death or just blow my brains out because there are so many nuts out there that has no clue what it's like to be me, but hates me without even knowing me. They don't care that I work every day and that I don't hit on straight men. They don't care that I pay taxes or that I've raised my niece on my own. They don't care that I've been in a disease free relationship for x amount of years. Automatically it's decided I'm a sinner, a disease waiting to happen, and I'm out there in the world to prey upon children and every straight man out there. If I go to a gym, they worry if I'm going to check them out in the locker room." I did what most people like me would do and said, "That's crazy, that's not you at all!" and he nodded, "It's not but they don't care. That is how the world or atleast everyone here sees me and I hate it but until things change that's what I have to deal with. Believe me if I could be straight I would." Was he a self hating gay man, no just the opposite. I found with people both men and women I've met throughout the past 20 years that are gay and lesbian that they are proud of who they are but would have never "chosen" to be gay. According to National Geographic, there are over 500 species of animals that mate with or try to with their same sex counterparts. Animals don't have choices, they live by instinct. So do we just anhilate all the animals in that bracket because they're different? We're already anhilating animals by what we're doing to the environment. So for me, it's not a choice that a person makes when it comes to attraction or who they end up with.
3. Men and women of same sex unions have had relationships that last longer than most staright marriages. Why? I don't know, but they are more comitted. Men and women of same sex unions are less promiscious(I know maybe not in the 70s-but then how many straight people weren't promiscious in the late 60's and 70's) than most straight men and women. Men and women who have children but are in a homosexual or lesbian relationship, their children do just as well mentally and physically as children of straight parentage. The rate of children who are parented by homosexual and lesbian parents is low that they end up being homosexual or lesbian. These children also have been proven to not be high risk in schools and in their communities, are least likely to be a burden on society, less likely to become teen mothers and fathers, and are more likely to finish a 4 year college. The rate of drug and alcoholism among these children are less as well. Now does that mean that there aren't bad parents that are homosexual? No, bad parents come from all walks of race,color,creed, and sexual orientation.
Gay and Lesbian people pay taxes just like everyone else. They work jobs, they own buisnesses, and some even serve in our military and in law enforcement and fire departments. They are deserving of the same rights you and I have. They are guarenteed these freedoms over and over by the Declaration of Indpendence, The Bill of Rights, and the Constitution. No where in our legal law does it say "Everyone but Homosexuals are entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". I'm not downing religeous freedom or religeon-I'm only saying it has no place in our Government. If you're laying on the operating table, or you're in a burning building, or you're being held at gun point...does it really matter who your doctor/surgeon, fireman or woman, or police man is going home to? It's none of our buisness who a person finds happiness with? Do you really want the government based on religeon, telling people who they can be with? Because if your still on the fence, we're going to go into a direction where we don't want to be and that is a communist or dictatorship. This isn't Nazi Germany, Hussein's Iraq, Bin Laden's Al Quida, or even Henry's England; it's America: Land of the Free, Home of the Brave and we're a super power country that needs to get with the 21st Century and evolve! Marriage is a legal union between two individuals that love one another and want to be recognized as such. It's time to get over the whole "Marriage is only between a man and a woman" because we're finding out through common sense and evolution that no one can control who they fall in love with when it's consenting adults.(I put that there for all the freaks who say, "Well what about children"-seriously people no one is talking about letting pedophiles and twisted inviduals here). So I encourage all of you-do some research. Visit sites like www.glaad.org, and educate yourself on the subject of homosexuality. No matter what your final conclusion is, you should at least know the people that are just asking for what we all have and that is just to be allowed to be happy!
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