Sloan Parker

Since the release of my first book, More, I’ve heard from many wonderful readers via email, Facebook, Twitter, various groups, blogs, and other sites. It’s amazing to me how many people take the time to let a writer know a little something about the experience of reading a book.

So today, I wanted to send out a message of thanks to everyone who takes the time to let authors know which books you’ve enjoyed and why. I can tell you, it means a lot to the writer. We spend so much time in our heads, in our writing caves, editing and polishing a story that means something special to us. For you to take a moment and offer a compliment or word of encouragement is pretty damn cool to me. Thank you, all!

Side note: I try to respond to all emails (except the obvious spam). If you send me something, and I don’t get back to you in a week or two, I probably didn’t get your message. Feel free to send again or use my contact form.

Have a great weekend!
Sloan

Once a week I post about something I’m loving (tv, movies, books, art, photos, romances, authors, or anything else). So here is this week’s For the Love of…

Last week I finally had a chance to watch Shelter. I had heard enough about the film that I had no doubts it was something I’d like. And like it I did. Actually, I loved it. It’s on my favorites list for sure. A romantic story with a lovely ending. A “must see” for anyone who enjoys m/m romances.

Here’s a description and the trailer if you haven’t had a chance to check it out:

“Forced to give up his dreams of art school, Zach spends his days working a dead end job and helping his needy sister care for her son. In his free time he surfs, draws and hangs out with his best friend, Gabe, who lives on the wealthy side of town. When Gabe’s older brother, Shaun, returns home, he is drawn to Zach’s selflessness and talent. Zach falls in love with Shaun while struggling to reconcile his own desires with the needs of his family.” (source: Amazon)

Anyone else seen it? If you haven’t, I highly recommend this movie.
Sloan

Once a week I post about something I’m loving (tv, movies, books, art, photos, romances, authors, or anything else). So here is this week’s For the Love of…

On a personal note this week, I want to wish my mom a happy retirement! And a happy second retirement to my dad who’s about to finish up with his job too! They just bought a motor home and GPS. I’m thinking we may never see them again.

In all seriousness I wish them a relaxing, joyful, and entertaining retirement. They deserve it.

I owe both my parents a huge thanks for teaching me the value of hard work. They have strong work ethics and give their all to whatever they do. I’ve always admired that about them. Well, actually when I was little I thought that was how everyone went about their work. Then I grew older, got out in the real world, and realized not everyone is like that.

So thanks, Mom and Dad. I owe part of my determination and dedication with my writing to you. Happy retirement to you both!

And just for fun I’m including a pic of the folks. And since they’d probably kill me if I posted anything recent, it’s one of my favorites from their earlier days.

Once a week I post about something I’m loving (tv, movies, books, art, photos, romances, authors, or anything else). So here is this week’s For the Love of…

Here’s a fun joke that had me smiling. Thanks to the lovely Silver Pixies for sharing this one.

Found on the Refrigerator One Morning:

My Dear Wife,
You will surely understand that I have certain needs that you, being 54 years old, can no longer satisfy. I am very happy with you and I value you as a good wife. Therefore, after reading this letter, I hope that you will not wrongly interpret the fact that I will be spending the evening with my 18 year old secretary at the Comfort Inn Hotel. Please don’t be upset–I shall be home before midnight.

When the man came home late that night, he found the following letter on the dining room table:

My Dear Husband,
I received your letter and thank you for your honesty about my being 54 years old. I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that you are also 54 years old. As you know, I am a math teacher at our local college. I would like to inform you that while you read this, I will be at the Hotel Fiesta with Michael, one of my students, who is also the assistant tennis coach. He is young, virile, and like your secretary, is 18 years old. As a successful businessman who has an excellent knowledge of math, you will understand that we are in the same situation, although with one small difference – 18 goes into 54 a lot more times than 54 goes into 18. Therefore, I will not be home until sometime tomorrow.

Silly, silly man.
Sloan

Once a week I post about something I’m loving (tv, movies, books, art, photos, romances, authors, or anything else). So here is this week’s For the Love of…

Today I’m loving this story:
Long Island lovebirds celebrate 60-year anniversary at Waldorf Astoria – and at 1950′s prices!

“These 60 years were the happiest years of my life,” Robert said to his wife at the altar of the Lady Chapel in the rear of the majestic Fifth Ave. cathedral.

“I love you and will marry you again if you want, for another 60 years.”

It’s nice to hear about love still going strong after 60 years. Cheers to Robert and Edith!!
Sloan Parker

Once a week I post about something I’m loving (tv, movies, books, art, photos, romances, authors, or anything else). So here is this week’s For the Love of…

Last week I started plotting a new book. I wrote character sketches for my two heroes and filled over 100 index cards with plot, character, and scene ideas. Then this week I tore up some of the cards, got disappointed with a few of the ideas that I had been really excited about, stared off into space for a while, cursed all the little note cards, and was just starting to get frustrated (as if I wasn’t already) when it was time to quit for the day. The next day I was ready to throw everything out when an idea hit me that had me excited about the story again, excited about telling the journey of these men.

I just love it when stuff like that happens. Take that writer’s block! I pushed on through and am happily back to working on Walter’s story.

A shout out to these two little guys who were playing outside my window when the frustration hit. We have a woodsy area behind our house and the neighbors call it rabbit row. Watching them chase each other and play leapfrog made for a nice break from the stressful day. Thanks guys!

Hope all my writing friends had a great writing week, and I hope all you readers enjoyed a good book.

Sloan Parker

Once a week I post about something I’m loving (tv, movies, books, art, photos, romances, authors, or anything else). So here is this week’s For the Love of…

Last night I watched a French film titled Seducing Dr. Lewis (not a gay romance in case you’re wondering). I’m not always a fan of light comedic films, but this one was delightful and heartwarming. I like fiction with real characters, and with this film, I felt like I stepped off the boat and right into their neighborhood, not some fictional re-creation. It felt authentic and was a fun storyline.

I haven’t been watching a lot of TV or movies lately as I’ve been spending so much time reading and editing my latest submission. Seducing Dr. Lewis was a nice film to sit back and take a break with.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. And happy Mother’s Day to all you wonderful moms across the US.
Sloan

Once a week I post about something I’m loving (tv, movies, books, art, photos, romances, authors, or anything else). So here is this week’s For the Love of…

My Friday post is coming to you on Saturday this week, but I’m glad I was a bit behind. Now I can share this news that I’m currently loving.

In response to the recent horrific news of Greene V. County of Sonoma et al., blogger TeddyPig reached out to All Romance eBooks for help. He suggested they donate a portion of the sales of Henry and Jim by J.M. Snyder to NCLR (the organization representing Greene in the case).

Here are the details from J.M. Snyder’s website:

“My big news this month is that I’m donating 25% of my sales through All Romance eBooks to the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLA). A few weeks ago, ARe forwarded an email to me from TeddyPig, in which he included a link to the California court case Greene v. County of Sonoma et al. He was very angry about the insensitive way the state treated Clay Greene after his lover’s death, even though both men had made provisions naming the other as their legal power of attorney. The story of Clay and Harold reminded him of my own story, Henry and Jim, and he wanted to know if ARe could possibly donate a portion of that title’s sales to the NCLA, who is representing Mr. Greene in the case. ARe forwarded the request to me.

Since that’s an older story of mine, sales have slacked off a bit and wouldn’t make a very large contribution. Therefore, I decided to donate 25% of my royalties in May for ALL my self-published titles available on ARe, and they have graciously agreed to match my contribution.”

You can read more here on ARe’s website

I have to confess when I first saw the story of Clay Greene’s plight, I couldn’t read it all the way through (still haven’t). It’s the kind of story that scares the shit out of me. My partner and I have lived together for almost 19 years, and the thought that we could be separated and one of us left with nothing is too horrific to think about. Drafting up expensive legal documents isn’t enough. We and all other same-sex couples need the same legal rights of every other married couple in this country. We need more people standing up and helping with injustices like Clay Greene’s case.

So kudos to All Romance eBooks, blogger TeddyPig, and author J.M. Snyder for their combined efforts to help with this cause. You all are to be highly commended.

If you have a J.M. Snyder book you’ve been meaning to get, stop on by ARe this month and pick one up. You can view her books at ARe here.

And if you are an author of GLBT fiction, you too can help at ARe. Here are the details from ARe’s site:

I’m an author of GLBT Romance or Fiction:
“If you’re an author of GLBT Romance or Fiction and you’d like to join our group effort by pledging to donate a portion of your proceeds to the NCLR, write to us with your pledge (specify the titles, % of your royalty, and confirm the timeframe of May 1 – May 31, 2010) and we’ll add you to our roll. You will be responsible for making the direct donation to the NCLR. The roll is merely so we can let readers know what purchases will result in a donation.”

Have a great weekend!
Sloan

Once a week I post about something I’m loving (tv, movies, books, art, photos, romances, authors, or anything else). So here is this week’s For the Love of…

Today I’m loving the Give a Damn Campaign

Equality. Get Informed. Get Involved. Give a Damn!

“The Give a Damn Campaign is for everybody who cares about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality.

But, it’s especially for all you straight people out there! Whether you’re already an active supporter, want to show your support for the first time, or hadn’t given equality a lot of thought before and now want to learn more, we are here to help you get informed about the issues and get involved, at a pace that works for you.”

Learn more at: wegiveadamn.org And grab a banner for your site at: www.wegiveadamn.org/stuff/ They have some cool ones with stats that I hope will make people think.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.
Sloan

Once a week I post about something I’m loving (tv, movies, books, art, photos, romances, authors, or anything else). So here is this week’s For the Love of…

Today I’m loving this news…

Obama extends health care rights to gay partners
“The White House on Thursday released a statement by Obama instructing his Health and Human Services secretary to draft rules requiring hospitals that receive Medicare and Medicaid payments to grant all patients the right to designate people who can visit and consult with them at crucial moments.”

“It said Medicare-Medicaid hospitals, which include most of the nation’s facilities, may not deny visitation and consultation privileges on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.”

It’s a start. A step toward ending discrimination in a time of great importance like the hospitalization of a loved one.

Have a great weekend, everyone!
Sloan