BrokeBook Fever -- Spreading the word on our book: news, brainstorming, etc.

[KittyHawk]

Using one of the online book price-comparison sites gave me the following:

http://www.compareshopbooks.com/cgi-bin/final.cgi?i=1595941223

Also, listing European sources:

http://www.bookfinder.com/search/?ac=sl&st=sl&qi=g0,zPnnoJWDcz1lVWXB4sO48T3s_0747150981_1:3:48

So - bottom line - it's in the standard databases and can be ordered without any difficulty.  One can only guess how much time it would take to obtain it from a vendor other than Wingspan or Amazon.

Greylocke, thanks so much for those two links. It's fascinating to see who's listing the book, both here and abroad, and how much they're charging for it!

- KittyHawk

[ConstantReader]

One of the finest bookstore in Chicago and surely one of the best gay owned bookstores in the country is Unabridged Books.  If you read their home page at Unabridgedbookstore.com you'll know why this is so.  I ordered two copies of the Forum's book, one for me and one to take to Unabridged.  The owner (and decision maker) wasn't there but I did leave the copy with the clerk along with a flier.  I explained to the clerk my involvement with the Forum, how the book came about and that it was available at retail through several different sites.  I told him that I wasn't sure how a wholesale order would be placed but that someone from the Forum would be in touch with the store by e-mail.  I am certain that this is the kind of book Unabridged would stock but there does not seem to be an easy clear-cut way for a retail outlet to order multiple copies at wholesale to match the simple on-line ordering method.  There is another small local chain of bookstores (Barbara's Books) which I will approach after assessing the success or failure of getting the book into Unabridged.
 
 

[KittyHawk]

This is super, CR!

I did email them and mentioned that they can obtain our book through their usual distributor, Ingram. If they have any problems, they'll still be able to contact me and we'll work something out for them.

Many thanks for the promotions!

- KH

[ConstantReader]

Thanks for that bit of information.  The clerk at Unabridged did ask me if the book was available through a distributor and I didn't have the answer.  If we are going to try to place the book in independent bookstores we should know such details. 

[Ellen (tellyouwhat)]

Constant Reader,you are right -- our distributor is Ingram -- all book stores will be familiar with that name.

[Ellen (tellyouwhat)]

Ever since our book was released, I have been in touch with the on-line Unitarian-Universalist book store, with the hope they would include our book on their web site.  Unitarians (called UU’s for short) support GLBT rights and also teach tolerance and understanding to youth in Sunday school. 
 
On Monday (March 22) I received word from the head of the book store that our book will be featured on their website!  As of this writing, it is still not up, but it should be up this week.  Unitarian congregations pick many of the books they will feature in their “book nooks” from the UUA website.
 
This gives all of us one more success to talk about when we mention Beyond Brokeback to book stores and educators (high school and college level who teach film and gender-relations).  Also, I am sending a copy of the book to the Director of Religious Education at the UU congregation in Las Vegas.  He is a gay man who travels to many congregations in the U.S. and Canada conducting trainings for other religious educators.  I hope he will be able to put our book to use in UU congregations. 
 

[paintedshoes]

I need advice.

Some may remember that I was, last summer, invited to be a guest lecturer at the University of Maryland.  I received confirmation today that I will speak on Nov 20th.  The subject is "Brokeback and Homophobia."

To quote the professor:

the course is called "Exploring Homophobia:  Demystifying
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues," you could bring up the ways in which being
gay impacted the families, marriages, etc. of the guys in brokeback.....also, issues around
the need for secrets and anti-gay violence could be addressed as well......

I am wondering how out of my depth I am...I suggested speaking with the voices of the book...any suggestions?  I am not quite panicked..yet...

[desertrat]

sounds great....why don't you select a couple of stories form the book but also talk about your own experiences ?

[KittyHawk]

I need advice.

Oh, you don't need much advice! You'll know exactly what to say, Jackie. I'll bet you have them laughing and crying before your time is up!

I'm so glad that professor followed through with her idea. And if I remember correctly she bought a copy for her partner after you first spoke with her, so she must have thought well of the book. Think you could wrangle an Amazon review out of her?.

Just a few ideas off the top of my head.
• print out some of our flyers about the book unless you happen to have some business or post cards. I'm all out of both.
• you might want to mention some of our stories from other parts of the world - not just the US - like new member Ivanhoe's story. (He's from Serbia.)
• the most fun part would probably be the Q&A session so you could plan to leave plenty of time for that.
• If you want to run your notes or an outline by anyone, I'd be glad to look it over.

It sounds like a GREAT opportunity. You can have fun with it!

- Lydia

[Ellen (tellyouwhat)]

I need advice.

Some may remember that I was, last summer, invited to be a guest lecturer at the University of Maryland.  I received confirmation today that I will speak on Nov 20th.  The subject is "Brokeback and Homophobia."

To quote the professor:

the course is called "Exploring Homophobia:  Demystifying
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues," you could bring up the ways in which being
gay impacted the families, marriages, etc. of the guys in brokeback.....also, issues around
the need for secrets and anti-gay violence could be addressed as well......

I am wondering how out of my depth I am...I suggested speaking with the voices of the book...any suggestions?  I am not quite panicked..yet...

Jackie, I don't know if you are actually afraid of the speaking part -- if that is bothering you, PM me, or maybe we can talk on the phone.

Also what could help is our "talking points" -- I will try to dig up a copy of them to post here, unless Kittyhawk finds them first.  I will be very busy with my son today so might not have a lot of time here.  but I wanted to chime in and say how excited I am about this event, Jackie, and I know you will have plenty to say.

[paintedshoes]

sounds great....why don't you select a couple of stories form the book but also talk about your own experiences ?

Thanks, sweetie...I am working now on book selections.   

[paintedshoes]

I need advice.

Oh, you don't need much advice! You'll know exactly what to say, Jackie. I'll bet you have them laughing and crying before your time is up!

I'm so glad that professor followed through with her idea. And if I remember correctly she bought a copy for her partner after you first spoke with her, so she must have thought well of the book. Think you could wrangle an Amazon review out of her?.

Just a few ideas off the top of my head.
• print out some of our flyers about the book unless you happen to have some business or post cards. I'm all out of both.
• you might want to mention some of our stories from other parts of the world - not just the US - like new member Ivanhoe's story. (He's from Serbia.)
• the most fun part would probably be the Q&A session so you could plan to leave plenty of time for that.
• If you want to run your notes or an outline by anyone, I'd be glad to look it over.

It sounds like a GREAT opportunity. You can have fun with it!

- Lydia

Lydia, these are great ideas.  I do have some of the business cards left...saved specifically for this event....

I was not sure if it would be ok to use stories not in the book, but I guess they are all "out there" so why not?  Ivan's story would be really good. 

And I may very well take you up on the idea of running things by you.  And I will ask about her partner doing an Amazon review.  Good idea.


Ellen, I am not afraid of the speaking part...not at all.     I am just afraid of not representing the Forum properly, but I will give it my best shot.  Thank you.  I may pm several of you for comments between now and then. 

[KittyHawk]

The only reason I suggested Ivanhoe's story was to show how global we are and to show that the phenomenon continues. He only saw the movie a week or two ago!

[paintedshoes]

My talk at the Univ of Md just got cancelled...nothing to do with me, just not enough time, what with some "housekeeping" the professor needs to do.  I am offered next fall instead!  RATS! 

[KittyHawk]

Jackie, I am SO disappointed! I had just noticed that the date was getting near and wondered how your preparation was coming. That's very inconsiderate of her, but at least you have an invitation for next year. Rats. And we didn't get an Amazon review out of either her or her partner either! OK, now where is that silver lining? We probably need to look at this book as a long-term project, so your talk next fall will give us a little boost when most folks may have forgotten us!

By the way, if I'm not mistaken, I believe a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY is in order for you today. I hope I have the right day and I hope you have a wonderful day!

- Lydia