No Selfie-Control

Just saw my memoir in a bookstore for the first time, over at Three Lives & Co. in the West Village. (That's me trying to be discreet, above, but inside I was DYING!!!!!) I don't care what anyone says, there's still no greater thrill for an author than to see his work on the shelf -- and with book sellers dropping like flies, it's a thrill I wasn't entirely sure I would ever get to experience. My book was published by the Magnus imprint of Riverdale Avenue Books, an indie house here in New York, which means it's not (virtually) guaranteed to be carried in every shop in the country like the latest from HarperCollins et al. So if you want to support your favorite local bookstore but do not see what you're looking for -- be it "Wasn't Tomorrow a Wonderful?" or some other work -- by all means ask them to stock it for you. It may end up costing a bit more than ordering off Amazon, but preserving these shops (in my opinion) is well worth our time and money. (And with a little luck, I might even be able to do a signing near you if you let me know which places are carrying my title and are interested in hosting.) Thanks, everyone, and keep those selfies coming -- I love 'em!!!!! 

And on a related note ...

Congratulations to fellow Magnus Book author Tim Teeman, whose juicy IN BED WITH GORE VIDAL was nust nominated for a Lambda Literary Award in the best gay memoir/biography category! And congrats to all the other nominees, which you can see HERE.

On the Rag, Vol. 293

A weekly look at what's making news in the free gay mags:

Get Out! magazine gives some cruising grooming tips HERE.

Next: Nick Berry is out front, but the issue belongs to the musical Heathers / Read HERE.

Odyssey New York gets physical this week / Online edition HERE.

Frontiers goes inside the world of Marco Marco / Read HERE.

Metro Weekly (DC): From coast to coast, Chris Svoboda's journey has kept her out of the limelight but on the LGBT community's front lines / Read HERE.

Rage (L.A./San Diego)'s arts issue can be viewed HERE.

Edge Boston is all gussied up for the Anglophile in you / Download HERE.

Flame (Detroit): Sam Alqattan is a first-generation immigrant from Kuwait -- and an out-and-proud gay man and former Big Boy server / Online edition HERE.

Dallas Buyers Snub

My pal Hank Plante writes that Matthew McConaughey's refusal to mention AIDS during his Oscar speech brings attention to what else was left out of his movie. Read HERE.

Retro Ad Watch

Jeff Aquilon has been called the world’s first male supermodel.These vintage '80s underwear shots illustrate why. Seen HERE.

Taking Aim

I know I'm not in much of a position to be talking theater, but is this completely necessary?

New Gay Club Opens in East Village

It's called Stairs and it's news to me! Read HERE.

He's Baaaaaaack!!!!!!

"Desperately Seeking the Exit," actor/playwright Peter Michael Marino's hilarious one-(and-a-half) man autopsy of how his seemingly brilliant idea to use the music of Blondie to turn "Desperately Seeking Susan" into a jukebox musical died a quick and painful death, returns to New York City on March 22 and 23. Details HERE.

Anne Bobby Tells a Story at 54 Below

Was invited to see Anne Bobby's cabaret show Tuesday night at 54 Below, the exquisite performance space in the famed Studio 54. Although she has a long and distinguished career, I was not acquainted with Ms. Bobby until this cellar rendez-vous, so her combination of personal stories and interpretations of many little-known songs had the effect of reading a memoir by someone who isn't famous, which just happens to be my favorite kind of book. The set list included everyone from Marvin Hamlisch and Alan Mencken to Randy Newman and Bruce Springsteen, but the stage was all Anne's, as she weaved the tale of her many lives, starting as a 16-year-old on Broadway, getting hired -- and fired -- from the first show she auditioned for, followed by a string of Broadway, film and television roles. (I may not have this exactly right, but I believe her replacement from the aforementioned sacking, Laura Dean, joined her onstage for a rendition of “Far From Home” from the show "Almost September," with a little help from Frank Vlastnik!) 

She later recounted how she turned down the role of Eponine in "Les Miserables," which would go on to make her replacement, Frances Ruffelle, a Tony winner and a bonafide Broadway star. (The musical she opted for instead, "Smile," was memorable flop.) The show was quaint and strictly New York. But for someone who doesn't thrive on over-the-top theatrical productions but still enjoys a cleverly written song, I was thoroughly charmed.

Blown It All Sky High

Some heartwarming news to start your weekend: Support for marriage equality has reached a record high of 59 percent in America! Read HERE.

Morning Wood

Sexual Appetite

These are the kinds of text messages I get late at night. He's talking about the new "sex" store near my house, that "Weekend Update" even singled out. What's funny is they have the male gender symbol in the middle, which I would take to be an "o" and pronounce Splosh -- whatever that means. SNL called it "Splash," but now the, um, menu seems to confirm I'm right -- which definitely doesn't make it any more right. Lamb chops????

Page 1 Consider (03/07)

Live on that in New York City? He does have a point. Read HERE.

Is Michael Bloomberg funding these polls by any chance? Read HERE.

The courts must do something about the situation in Texas. Read HERE.

No Botox needed in this beauty pageant. Read HERE.

Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones was nominated by the governor to be the next chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia, but he hasn’t endorsed same-sex marriage. Read HERE. And does Alexandria have a serial killer? Read HERE.

I like Justin Verlander above my fold, too. Read HERE.

Dateline: WEST HOLLYWOOD: Fascinating look at what it means to be a gay city in these increasingly diverse times. Read HERE.