Tag Archives: seattle

Lambda Award-Winning Publisher and Author to Meet Seattle Gay and Lesbian Book Club

Posted on August 9, 2011 by Brett

Official Press Release

Lambda Award-Winning Publisher and Author
to Meet Seattle Gay and Lesbian Book Club

Club Has Chosen Teleny and Camille as August Selection

On Wednesday, August 31, the Seattle Gay and Lesbian Book Club will meet for the fifth and final discussion of their August selection: Jon Macy’s graphic novel Teleny and Camille, winner of the 2010 Lambda Literary Award for Gay Erotica. They will be joined by the author via teleconference as well as by Northwest Press publisher Charles “Zan” Christensen in person.

Teleny and Camille was adapted from the anonymous Victorian novel Teleny: Or the Reverse of the Medal, first published in 1893 and widely attributed to Oscar Wilde and his circle of writers and poets. Macy spent eight years adapting the novel as a graphic novel, completing the project in 2010. The graphic novel has been widely praised by critics for its lush art style and frank exploration of a pivotal period in gay history.

“It’s got a gloriously over-the-top gay love story that would be perfect for an opera,” says Nick DiMartino, creator and facilitator of the Seattle Gay and Lesbian Book Club, “but here instead of grand music, the reader is treated to lushly imaginative graphics, a visual symphony for the eyes.”

“There is an agenda here, and it is not simply the visual re-telling of a well-known novel,” wrote John McCrea on Oscholars.com, a site devoted to exploring the literature and arts of the Victorian period. “It is a celebration of that novel and a celebration of what that novel deeply wants to assert. It is an artistic and aesthetic triumph.”

Seattle Gay and Lesbian Book Club meets every Wednesday from 6pm to 7:15pm at SASG (formerly Dunshee House), at 303 17th Avenue East in Seattle on Capitol Hill, near Group Health Hospital. SASG can be reached by phone at (206) 322-2437.

Copies of Teleny and Camille are available in comics specialty shops, direct from northwestpress.com or digitally through iBooks and Google Books, and previews of the book are available at all digital outlets. You can find a comic shop near you by calling 1-888-COMIC-BOOK or visiting comicshoplocator.com.

Seattle-based Northwest Press is dedicated to publishing the best lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender comics collections and graphic novels. Teleny and Camille was its first project, published in 2010, and has been followed by Justin Hall’s Glamazonia: The Uncanny Super-Tranny and David Kelly’s Rainy Day Recess: The Complete Steven’s Comics.

# # #

Web links:
SASG: http://sasgcc.org/
Northwest Press: http://northwestpress.com
Seattle Gay and Lesbian Book Club: http://faculty.washington.edu/swittet/SGLBookClub

Chester Brown’s Paying For It: Chi, NYC, Mtl, Van & Seattle

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Brett

Official Press Release

CHESTER BROWN’S PAYING FOR IT IN STORES NOW

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR STARTS TOMORROW!

SLIDE SHOW, CONVERSATION & SIGNING
ON THE MOST TALKED ABOUT GRAPHIC NOVEL OF 2011

WEDNESDAY MAY 11 | CHICAGO | QUIMBYS | 7 PM
THURSDAY MAY 12 | NYC | THE STRAND | 7 PM
WITH TRACY QUAN & BENJAMEN WALKER
SATURDAY MAY 14 | MONTREAL | D+Q LIBRAIRIE | 7 PM
WEDNESDAY MAY 18 | VANCOUVER | VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY | 7 PM WITH LUCKY’S
THURSDAY MAY 19 | SEATTLE | ELLIOTT BAY | 8 PM
JULY 22-25 | SAN DIEGO | COMIC-CON INTL
SEPT 10-11 | BETHESDA | SPX

“Brown’s subject is inherently fascinating—who’s not a little curious about other people’s sex lives?—and his cartooning skills are as sharp as ever.”–ONION AV CLUB

“[Paying for It] registers less as a memoir than as a thoughtful, if contentious, treatise.”–WALRUS

“[Paying for It] somehow manages to be about more than just its author’s journey into john-dom, wrangling with issues such as the nature of love and sexual attraction, all thanks to Brown’s almost-fiendish command of the medium.”–GLOBE & MAIL

“Chester Brown’s graphic novel Paying For It is that rare thing, a john testifying outside of the courtroom.”–NATIONAL POST

“PAYING FOR IT is as personal as you can get. It’s a clear-eyed, not-even-slightly-erotic, compulsively
readable, sometimes painfully honest account of his time, reasons and experiences paying for sex…
PAYING FOR IT is the kind of book that will engage your mind and force you to think about things in ways you may never have done before.”–NEIL GAIMAN

“In PAYING FOR IT, Chester Brown not only makes a compelling case for the decriminalization of sex work but he also seems like an excellent client. Sex workers and sex worker rights advocates couldn’t ask for a better ally. A must read in the canon of sensible and sensitive voices making a case against prurient ideology-based rhetoric about consensual sexual behaviour.” –SASHA (Nationally syndicated sex columnist)

“Chester Brown is perhaps the most transparent, honest and relevant voice remaining in contemporary comics, and this is, to my mind, his most powerful and affecting work to date. PAYING FOR IT explores life in the world’s oldest customer-base, and does so with heart, intelligence, and a complete lack of sentiment or self-justification. Rewarding repeated readings, this book will love you long time.” –ALAN MOORE

“PAYING FOR IT is a great comic book, maybe Chester Brown’s best work to date.” –R. CRUMB

Chester Brown has never shied away from tacking controversial subjects in his work. In his 1992 book, THE PLAYBOY, he explored his personal history with pornography. His bestselling 2003 graphic novel, LOUIS RIEL, was a biographical examination of an extreme political figure. The book won wide acclaim and cemented Brown’s reputation as a true innovator. Featuring an introduction by R. Crumb, PAYING FOR IT is a natural progression for Brown as it combines the personal and the sexual aspects of his autobiographical work with the polemical drive of LOUIS RIEL. Brown calmly lays out the facts for us of how he became, not only a willing participant, but a vocal proponent of one of the world’s most hot button topics —prostitution. While this may appear overtly sensational and just plain implausible to some, Brown’s story stands for itself. PAYING FOR IT offers an entirely contemporary exploration of sex work from the timid john who rides his bike to his escorts, wonders how to tip so as not to offend, and reads Dan Savage for advice, to the modern day transactions complete with online reviews, seemingly willing participants, and clean apartments devoid of cliché depictions of street corners, drugs, or pimps. Complete with a surprise ending, PAYING FOR IT provides endless debate and conversation about sex work and will be the most talked about graphic novel of 2011.

Chester Brown On Tour In May

Posted on March 17, 2011 by Brett

Official Press Release
Previews

CHESTER BROWN ON TOUR FOR “PAYING FOR IT” THIS MAY

TORONTO, CHICAGO, NYC, MONTREAL, VANCOUVER, SEATTLE

Chester Brown has never shied away from tackling controversial subjects in his work. As the cartoonist of the autobiographical The Playboy and the biography Louis Riel, Paying For It is a natural progression for Brown as it combines the personal and sexual aspects of his autobiographical work with the polemical drive of Louis Riel. Brown calmly lays out the facts of how he became not only a willing participant in but also a vocal proponent of one of the world’s most hot-button topics–prostitution. Paying For It offers an entirely contemporary exploration of sex work–from the timid john who rides his bike to meet his escorts, wonders how to tip so as not to offend, and reads Dan Savage for advice, to the modern-day transactions complete with online reviews, seemingly willing participants, and clean apartments devoid of cliches street corners, drugs, or primps.

Paying For It is a book that stands for itself and will be the most talked about graphic novel of 2011. In stores this May.

Hardcover, 5.5 x 7.5, Black & White, 272 pages, ISBN: 9781770460485, $24.95 US / $25.95 CDN

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT “PAYING FOR IT”

“PAYING FOR IT is a very enlightening book, as well as being entertaining…{Chester Brown} is a very skillfull artist in that way.”–R. CRUMB, from his introduction to PAYING FOR IT

“The self-aware john, a quirky and surprisingly realistic guy, is everywhere, but he’s also been silent and overshadowed by his belligerent deluded brothers. PAYING FOR IT is a fascinating modern (and enjoyable) response to that anonymous Victorian sex classic My Secret Life. The characters encountered here evoke Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City. Chester Brown’s emotional honesty is riveting. This is what sex ed looks like when we refuse to stop learning.”–TRACY QUAN, author of Diary of a Manhattan Call Girl and Diary of a Jetsetting Call Girl

“I’ve loved Chester Brown’s work since the early days of Yummy Fur. He started out as a remarkable cartoonist telling strange stories that slowly became, over time, increasingly personal.

PAYING FOR IT is as personal as you can get. It’s a clear-eyed, not-even-slightly-erotic, compulsively readable, sometimes painfully honest account of his time, reasons and experiences paying for sex. I learned things about Chester from reading this, and I learned things about sex-workers, and about the world, and, oddly, I think I learned things about myself.

The argument about when or whether comics had grown up ended when people started making comics for grown-ups. This is one of them. PAYING FOR IT is the kind of book that will engage your mind and force you to think about things in ways you may never have done before. Chester would probably like that. And if you find yourself arguing with the page, or with the author’s notes, I think Chester would probably like that too.”–NEIL GAIMAN

Prism Comics Expands Presence at Emerald City ComiCon

Posted on February 26, 2011 by Brett

Official Press Release

Seattle, WA (2/25/11)—Prism Comics, the premier organization supporting LGBT comics, creators and readers, will be returning once again to Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle, which takes place March 4th through the 6th at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. Prism is expanding its presence at the show this year, hosting its first-ever panel discussion at the show on Friday evening as well as offsite social events at Pony on Friday and The Local Vine on Sunday.

All weekend at the convention, Prism will offer a wide selection of comics and related items that are of interest to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender readers at their exhibitor booth. Prism also provides free space for comics artists and writers who do not have their own exhibition space, so that they can sell their books and meet with their fans.

Special guests this year include Jeff Krell, creator of the groundbreaking gay comic strip Jayson, Jon Macy, author of the graphic novel Teleny and Camille and Queer Press Grant recipient for his fantasy series Fearful Hunter, Sean-Z, creator of the erotic fantasy series Myth and comics fandom website Fanboys of the Universe.

The “LGBT Comics Panel” takes place on Friday at 6pm at the show, moderated by Charles “Zan” Christensen (President of Prism Comics and Publisher of Northwest Press) and featuring David Kelly (Rainy Day Recess: The Complete Steven’s Comics), Erika Moen (DAR!), Jeff Krell, Jon Macy, Sean-Z and Stephen Sadowski (Warlord of Mars, JSA).

“How do mainstream comics stack up against indies on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender characters?” reads the official description of the panel. “Is there still a tendency to push gay characters to ‘mature readers’ comics? Or, with the launch of DC Comics’ Batwoman, featuring the first lesbian superhero to headline her own book, and the introduction of Kevin Keller, Archie Comics’ first gay character, is being gay simply becoming a non-issue in comics?”

Friday’s afterparty takes place at Pony (1221 E Madison St) at 8pm, and features t-shirts, comics and graphic novel door prizes donated by Northwest Press, Ed Luce (Wuvable Oaf) and Paige Braddock (Jane’s World). On Sunday, Prism is organizing a “big gay dinner” at The Local Vine (1410 12th Avenue). Attendees are urged to RSVP through Facebook to give the venue an idea of the headcount beforehand.

This is the seventh Emerald City Comic Con for Prism, whose founder and current President, Charles “Zan” Christensen, is a Seattle resident and organizes Prism’s appearance at the show.

“I’m glad we’re at the show in an even bigger way this year,” said Christensen. “In addition to the panel and the offsite events, we’ve doubled our convention space this year and are really looking forward to our best Emerald City ComiCon yet!”

Prism was founded in 2003 and is funded by donations from the LGBT and comics communities. It provides an annual Queer Press Grant to support independent comics creators and appears at many other conventions during the year, including Comic-Con International in San Diego and WonderCon and Alternative Press Expo in San Francisco. This year, the organization will also be attending New York Comic-Con, Toronto Comic Arts Fest and C2E2 in Chicago.

Links:

Prism Comics

Prism Comics at Emerald City ComiCon (Facebook)

Prism Comics’ Big Gay Post-ComiCon Dinner (Facebook)

Full Emerald City ComiCon Program Schedule

Prism Comics is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that promotes LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) creators, characters, themes and readers in the comic book field. Along with convention appearances, Prism publishes an annual guide (Prism Comics: Your LGBT Guide to Comics), and maintains a website with LGBT creator listings and features on all that’s queer in comics.

Seattle Police Tell Superhero Phoenix Jones to Knock It Off

Posted on January 12, 2011 by Brett

We covered Phoenix Jones before and his real life superhero shtick. Now the Seattle police are telling him to knock it off before he really gets hurt. This past Saturday while breaking up a fight the man had his nose broken by the dastardly villains he was attempting to subdue.

During his breaking up the fight, Jones had called 911 and put the individual in a headlock until they arrived. Unfortunately, another man pulled a gun on Jones. The man he had detained then kicked Jones, breaking his nose.

Police spokespeople said they heard about the incident from reporters. Jones has said the attack was not a big deal and he and other superheroes are much better equipped to deal with situations like these than average citizens.

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Random

Another Real Life Superhero, Phoenix Jones

Posted on January 6, 2011 by Brett

Real life superheroes are all the rage as every day people put on outfits and battle crime in their towns. Here’s a new protector of the people Phoenix Jones. Jone prevented a car theft in Seattle. The hero tackled a robber as he was attempting to break into a car. In the process he saved the owner from potential physical attack.

Vigilante Justice Comes To Seattle

Posted on November 22, 2010 by Brett

The Rain City Superhero Movement has descended upon Seattle, Washington and is defending it’s streets from crime. Part of a larger national effort of real-life crimefighters, average citizens are donning costumes, capes and secret identities and are handing out justice vigilante style.

In two instances in Seattle this brand of justice has almost resulted in tragedy as super heroes have come close to being shot after being mistaken as criminals. Seattle police have identified nine individuals fighting crime, Thorn, Buster Doe, Green Reaper, Gemini, No Name, Catastrophe, Thunder 88, Penelope and Phoenix Jones the Guardian of Seattle.

Seattle police are doing their best to see who’s behind these super heroes and talking to them. They’re worried that these heroes’ involvement will lead to injury as they do their best to prevent crime. The police hope they’ll instead just be good witnesses in the fight to take back the streets.

According to the national superhero website, the characters don’t have to engage in violent fights to be a crime fighter, but should embody the values presented in super heroic comic books.

“Inspiration plays a major role in this, of course,” character Entomo wrote on the page. “You can inspire people to believe in a symbol.

“You can inspire people to believe they can CREATE themselves a symbol and embody it — and it’s not a lie.”

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DNC and PAX – What a Trip

Posted on September 2, 2008 by Brett

Back in DC from my week+ trip to Denver for the Democratic National Convention and then Seattle for the Penny Arcade Expo.

Denver has been covered in previous posts and there’s some other videos I need to post up to my YouTube account. Those will be coming throughout the week,

PAX was a blast! I finally got to meet my teammates at the ECA and checked out some awesome video games coming down the pipeline.

Denver goodies

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=55560&l=814ac&id=500071097

Check out the:

Photos

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=55577&l=8dc98&id=500071097

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=55578&l=e110c&id=500071097

Videos

http://www.youtube.com/th33ca

We’re Off to Denver and Seattle

Posted on August 22, 2008 by Brett

The normal posts won’t be around for the next week as I’m heading to Denver for the Democratic National Convention and then to Seattle for the Penny Arcade Expo. However, expect some special posts covering my time at both events. We’ll be back September 1 with the normal posts.