Hi ,
When I looked for a publisher for my first book, 10 Smart Things Gay Men Can Do To Improve Their Lives, I was told by many that "gay men don't read!"
They went onto say that "the gay men who do read certainly don't read self-help books."
I proved them wrong.
Alyson Books told me they would be happy with a certain sales figure which I doubled the first year my book went into print. I was shocked myself. I knew that my book would do well locally as I had built up my reputation. However, I had no idea that it would sell internationally and that it would become such a hit among gay men.
I asked gay men around the country why they thought it sold so well. Their feedback was that my book reminded them about their unfinished childhood issues surrounding homophobia they experienced and never resolved as adults. They told me that although they might have moved to areas which were gay affirmative, they still found their own internalized homophobia getting in their way.
This made total sense to me. My books are all about the negative and debilitating psychological effects that homophobia can do to a young lesbian and gay child growing up.
I hoped that therapists would purchase my first two books to learn about working with gay men. However, they felt my books were for gay men and would not benefit them and wanted me to write a book for them.
Thus my third book, Gay Affirmative Therapy for the Straight Clinician: The Essential Guide was published last year by WW Norton Books. To read about this book in terms of content and reviews click here.
If you live near Lansing, MI I hope to see you at the book signing where I will be discussing how to protect yourself from the homophobia surrounding the gay marriage battle around the country.
