A reader (oh, how thankful I am for readers) suggested I use this space to share a bit about being a Lambda Literary Award Finalist. Strictly speaking, it is my novel, Arusha, that is the finalist. I have nice gold stickers to put on copies of the book that say so!
Being shortlisted for a Lambda Award is, truly, an honor, something I hoped would happen someday but did not expect for my first book. These awards have been around since the 1980s, and some of our most admired writers have won: Nicola Griffith. Emma Donoghue. Jane Rule. Mark Doty. The list of winners for a single year can read like a Who's Who of writers in our community. And, since this is my rambling post, I would like to borrow an expression from Nicola Griffith and Kelley Eskridge: instead of the cumbersome "LGBT" I am going to use the more pronounceable nickname QLTBG or "quiltbag."
Not everyone, of course, is familiar with the Lambda Awards. Here in Britain, for example, I'm not sure writers understand why the USA has special awards for literature relating to quiltbag people. This might have something to do with the fact that writers in other countries who are quiltbag, or who write about quiltbag characters, are just part of mainstream publishing. And that, in turn, might have something to do with the fact that in a country like Britain, we have achieved more or less full equality. What a different experience from that of an American, whose entire adult life has been shaped by homophobic laws!
So, why the Lambdas? Quiltbag literature is literature, and it is global. The Lambdas are given to US-published books regardless of where the winners live, or are from. Griffith is English and lives in the US. Donoghue is Irish and lives in Canada. Rule was a US-born Canadian, and one of our greats.
So, that's why I'm honored that Arusha is among the finalists for this year's award, the first ever in the category of Bisexual Fiction.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Sing it, sister
Jennifer Knapp is a Christian. Jennifer Knapp is a musician. And now, the world knows, Jennifer Knapp is gay.
As a result of this seemingly insurmountable paradox, Knapp was invited on Larry King Live to defend herself against someone called Bob Botsford, a pastor representing the "other side." I'll let this excerpt from the transcript speak for itself, because Sister Knapp does a pretty darn good job:
KNAPP: If I am a sinner and homosexuality is a sin, let’s just go on that premise for a moment. But what separates that particular sin out from the fact that I’m angry or mad at someone or that I cheat or maybe, you know — what separates that out as so grievous to you that we have to sit here and have this type of conversation?
BOTSFORD: Well, it’s interesting. There’s — sin is sin. You’re absolutely right. And we all have sin.
KNAPP: So, why are we — why am I — why aren’t you in this seat and I’m in the other seat condemning you on national television?
BOTSFORD: I’m not condemning you. Listen, I’m here because I love you. And I told you that off-air, I’ll say it on air. I’m here because I’m concerned. I’m here as a family member.
KNAPP: You get my phone number.
BOTSFORD: You calling yourself a Christian still as part of the family of God saying, as I said in the blog, Jen, come home. Come back. Come out.
KNAPP: I will say this to you again on air. I have spiritual leadership in my life.
BOTSFORD: Yes.
KNAPP: The pastoral counsel of those who are dear to me, who understand the Scripture as sacred text. You know, also, want to –
BOTSFORD: I’m not sure they do, Jen.
KNAPP: Don’t interrupt me. You are not that man in my life. Speak to your congregation –
BOTSFORD: I agree. I’m not saying that I’m you’re spiritual authority.
KNAPP: You do not know me, and don’t have the right to speak to me in the manner which you have publicly.
BOTSFORD: Well, I do have a role to stand up for truth.
KNAPP: In your congregation and your community.
BOTSFORD: I’m –
KNAPP: But do not — I’m asking you not to do that. I ask you not say that you’re doing that on my behalf.
BOTSFORD: I’m here as a representative of Jesus Christ.
See, here's the thing, Brother Botsford. We are all here as representatives of Jesus Christ. Everyone who dares take on the name of Christian: you, me, and Jennifer Knapp. If "the world" out there is scratching its collective head--can you blame people?
We all need to think long and carefully when we identify as representatives of him who came not into the world to condemn the world...
As a result of this seemingly insurmountable paradox, Knapp was invited on Larry King Live to defend herself against someone called Bob Botsford, a pastor representing the "other side." I'll let this excerpt from the transcript speak for itself, because Sister Knapp does a pretty darn good job:
KNAPP: If I am a sinner and homosexuality is a sin, let’s just go on that premise for a moment. But what separates that particular sin out from the fact that I’m angry or mad at someone or that I cheat or maybe, you know — what separates that out as so grievous to you that we have to sit here and have this type of conversation?
BOTSFORD: Well, it’s interesting. There’s — sin is sin. You’re absolutely right. And we all have sin.
KNAPP: So, why are we — why am I — why aren’t you in this seat and I’m in the other seat condemning you on national television?
BOTSFORD: I’m not condemning you. Listen, I’m here because I love you. And I told you that off-air, I’ll say it on air. I’m here because I’m concerned. I’m here as a family member.
KNAPP: You get my phone number.
BOTSFORD: You calling yourself a Christian still as part of the family of God saying, as I said in the blog, Jen, come home. Come back. Come out.
KNAPP: I will say this to you again on air. I have spiritual leadership in my life.
BOTSFORD: Yes.
KNAPP: The pastoral counsel of those who are dear to me, who understand the Scripture as sacred text. You know, also, want to –
BOTSFORD: I’m not sure they do, Jen.
KNAPP: Don’t interrupt me. You are not that man in my life. Speak to your congregation –
BOTSFORD: I agree. I’m not saying that I’m you’re spiritual authority.
KNAPP: You do not know me, and don’t have the right to speak to me in the manner which you have publicly.
BOTSFORD: Well, I do have a role to stand up for truth.
KNAPP: In your congregation and your community.
BOTSFORD: I’m –
KNAPP: But do not — I’m asking you not to do that. I ask you not say that you’re doing that on my behalf.
BOTSFORD: I’m here as a representative of Jesus Christ.
See, here's the thing, Brother Botsford. We are all here as representatives of Jesus Christ. Everyone who dares take on the name of Christian: you, me, and Jennifer Knapp. If "the world" out there is scratching its collective head--can you blame people?
We all need to think long and carefully when we identify as representatives of him who came not into the world to condemn the world...
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Lambda Literary Award Reading
From Chicago's Gerber/Hart Library:
"The Lambda Literary Foundation and Gerber/Hart Library will host a reading by Chicago and Midwestern Lambda Literary Award finalists on Tuesday, May 4, at 7 pm at Gerber/Hart Library. The authors, their works, and the categories in which they are nominated are:
•Rob Byrnes, for Straight Lies in the Gay Mystery category
•Deborah B. Gould, for Moving Politics: Emotion and ACT UP's Fight Against AIDS in the LGBT Studies category
•J.E. Knowles for Arusha in the Bisexual Fiction category
•Kristin Naca for Bird Eating Bird in the Lesbian Poetry category
•Tracey Richardson for No Rules of Engagement in the Lesbian Romance category
Books will be available for purchase at the event, and refreshments will be served. The 22nd Lambda Literary Awards Awards ceremony will take place on May 27 in New York."
"The Lambda Literary Foundation and Gerber/Hart Library will host a reading by Chicago and Midwestern Lambda Literary Award finalists on Tuesday, May 4, at 7 pm at Gerber/Hart Library. The authors, their works, and the categories in which they are nominated are:
•Rob Byrnes, for Straight Lies in the Gay Mystery category
•Deborah B. Gould, for Moving Politics: Emotion and ACT UP's Fight Against AIDS in the LGBT Studies category
•J.E. Knowles for Arusha in the Bisexual Fiction category
•Kristin Naca for Bird Eating Bird in the Lesbian Poetry category
•Tracey Richardson for No Rules of Engagement in the Lesbian Romance category
Books will be available for purchase at the event, and refreshments will be served. The 22nd Lambda Literary Awards Awards ceremony will take place on May 27 in New York."
Monday, March 29, 2010
What success looks like
Kim Moritsugu defines success in the field of fiction writing:"I would define success as being published by a reputable publisher, getting positive feedback from reviewers and readers, and selling more books than one has friends and family members."
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Take a look at this page: http://www.lambdaliterary.org/datastream/news/03/16/finalists-announced-for-the-22nd-annual-lambda-literary-awards/#more-752
Monday, March 15, 2010
Reading on Blog Talk Radio
Please join me on Saturday, April 10, at 2:00 PM EDT for my first radio interview. I'll be speaking with Lara Zielinsky on Blog Talk Radio.
Lara hosts "Readings in Lesbian and Bisexual Women's Fiction," a highly intelligent and entertaining show. The discussion ranges from poetry to religion; writers read from their work, and the audience can call in with questions! I expect to have a lot of fun, and thank Lara (also a writer) for this opportunity.
To listen to the show, click on the player below at 2:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time on Saturday, April 10, or later if you can't catch it live.
Lara hosts "Readings in Lesbian and Bisexual Women's Fiction," a highly intelligent and entertaining show. The discussion ranges from poetry to religion; writers read from their work, and the audience can call in with questions! I expect to have a lot of fun, and thank Lara (also a writer) for this opportunity.
To listen to the show, click on the player below at 2:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time on Saturday, April 10, or later if you can't catch it live.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
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