Message Rain - Announcements

My Workshop!

2/26/2019

Within the last few months, I have developed a new workshop, "Understanding Blame and Shame and how to work through them." I designed it with LGBTQIA+ youth in mind, as so many are struggling with these issues, sometimes to the point of deep depression and suicide. But the material can benefit anyone, I believe. In fact, I first described it as being for "LGBTQIA+ youth and their allies" which could potentially be anyone, including parents, friends, teacher & school personnel, and so on.
I'm happy to say the first time I presented it, at First Event in early February, 20 people attended (filling the room I was given!), most of whom responded positively to the presentation and exercises.
I've revised and refined the contents, based on their suggestions, and am set to present it for the second time at the Keystone Conference March 2019. I'm honored to be able to present it there, the largest conference devoted to transgender and gender issues in general. I'm definitely excited, and just a little bit anxious. That's to be expected, I think!

Study Guide Update

9/11/2018

I have just revised the Study Guide (See: Books --> a man wearing a dress --> Study Guide, on this web site) to make it more concise and easy to read. A number of teachers and professors have asked me about using the book with their students and colleagues. This prompted me to review the Study Guide and improve it. You are welcome to print it out and use it in classes, seminars, meetings, and and other groups. I would love to hear of your experiences in such settings. Please use the Contact Us page on this web site to share your reflections, comments, and suggestions with me! Thank you!

Boston Pride!

6/5/2018

Last year, I worked diligently to promote my book at Pride. My crew and I handed out over 2000 postcards to promote my book before it was even published. At the end, I was a burn out case.

This year, I'm taking it easier. Instead of such overt promotional activity, I'll be marching with HAI, the Human Awareness Institute, offering free hugs to spectators along the route (look for the people wearing Free Hugs T-shirts). My son will be marching with me again this time (after a year's hiatus when we marched separately so that I could promote my book). And, yes, I'll be wearing a dress, as is my tradition.

This feels right. I'm glad to be back just enjoying and celebrating in the parade again.

Working behind the scenes

4/20/2018

I know it's been awhile. I've had to take some time out to attend to some other matters in life.

But I'm back working to get my book out there! I just added "Buy" buttons on my "Ordering" page. I'm working to make the eBook version available for Apple's iBook app (It's been harder than it would seem!). I'm also working to make it easier for libraries to include my book in their collections.

I'm also working to finalize editing of a recording of a live television interview. When I'm done, I'll be posting it on YouTube and Vimeo. I'll send out an Email blast when it's all ready. If you're not on the list, please click the button below and request to be added. Thanks!

Yes, I'm alive!

3/14/2018

Although it may have seemed that I disappeared for the past few weeks, (no events listed until May??!?), rest assured that I've been working hard in the mean time!

I am now in the process of creating my second book, Still Life (without the vase), and planning for my third book Poetry Looks at Itself. I have been working to arrange new events and take care of some necessary background tasks including my new Legal Entity & Privacy Policy page. There is much more to come, so please check back often!

As always, I'm open to feedback or questions about anything going on. Please use the Contact Us page to send me a message. Thank you!

eBook Versions Now Available!

3/7/2018

Finally, after over two months of waiting, the Kindle version of my book is now available!! Just go on Amazon and search for "a man wearing a dress" and it should come up on top. Or use this Link. It's also on Barnes & Noble's "Nook" device and I'm working on getting the iBook (Apple) version out there as well. Woot!

(By the way, a note to all you budding authors and independent publishers out there, ... I discovered one reason for the delay at Apple. I was told by my distribution company that they won't list an eBook for sale on their iBooks site unless the price ends in .99. Even though I don't believe in such things, I had to change it to $4.99 just for them.)

Stillwater Books is now open! ... and has my book in stock!

3/3/2018

Thursday morning (March 1st), I attended the ribbon cutting of Stillwater Bookstore in Pawtucket, RI. The owners have put together a wonderful independent bookstore, so if you're in the area, drop in for a visit. It's an exit off-and-on-again from Interstate Route 95. Charlotte Pierce and I drove down to participate in the festivities. And I dropped off five copies of my book, "a man wearing a dress!"
We were lucky - the weather was sunny and mild. The next day would have been very different! A big storm was about to come in!

My Book of Photographs Started!!

2/26/2018

I just started work on my second book, "Still Life (without the vase)" Well, actually, it's been in the making for many years by now, as I've gone around with whatever camera I had on me and taken photos of things that appealed to me. Thousands of them! From that vast number, I've culled a small number (about 40) to put into a book.

I've wanted to do this since before I started writing a man wearing a dress, but that had to come first. With some advice from a friend, I have submitted a first draft and should be receiving an actual hard cover prototype of the book in a few weeks. I'm likely going to have to adjust the color and order of the photos on the pages after I look at it. After all, what you see on your computer screen is in what they call "RGB color space" and when you print things, they come out in "CMYK color space" instead. Between the two, sometimes colors shift so you can't just print an image and assume that it will look great.

I'm going to issue the book in hard cover on good quality paper, so it's not going to be cheap! And I plan to make "part two," consisting of commentary regarding each photo, available as a PDF on this web site, so you can read about the photos for free, or ignore the commentary if you wish, if you'd like to just let the photos speak for themselves.

Anyway, I'll keep you posted as I make progress!

eBook version now available! Sort of, ...

2/20/2018

The good news is that the eBook version of my book, "a man wearing a dress" is now ready! Yay!

The not so good news is that some vendors are slower than others in making it available, alas. Right now, "a man wearing a dress" is available on Barnes & Nobel's "nook" readers, but not yet on Amazon's Kindle or Apple's iBooks. Unfortunately, there have been a number of unexpected hurdles to getting it out on every system. Please rest assured that I'm working on it!

Study Guide Updated

2/19/2018

While preparing to staff my table at First Event, I revised and then printed the study guide found on this web site. Today, I have just reconciled the two versions to improve readability and clarity. Now the Study Guide web page finally matches the handout!

The study guide is for anyone who wishes to use the book, "a man wearing a dress" in a group discussion or classroom setting. As such, it gives a good summary of the form and content of the book as a whole.

If you have further questions, please contact me using the Contact Us page here on the Message Rain web site.