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I was looking through my old stuff, and came across a comment suggesting the creation of a book "The best of Big Closet." What does everyone think of that idea? And if there was one, what stories/poems would you include?
Had an odd dream
...a couple of years ago, odd for being kind of mundane and not ending with me being chased by giant mechanical locomotive-lobsters with big snapping iron claws like my dreams usually do...
In it I was in Barnes & Noble and I saw a big fat trade paperback called BEST TG FICTION OF 2008. It was easily 600 pages, had nice cover art (if predictably pink with flitting butterflies), and I decided to buy it. I looked thru the table of contents, which was divided into sections according to the type of story. Magic, real life, transvestite, and a section devoted to Female to Male transformations; and the table was pretty long because a lot of the book's stories were just a page or two. I remember ANGELA RASCH had a number stories, and there were a couple by HEATHER ROSE BROWN, and I think something by JENNY WALKER, and KRISTINA LS; which although this was just a dream wouldn't be a bad start for a real book like this. And I didn't see my own name, but I was glad in a way, I woulda kinda freaked that no one had asked me first.
And then as I was in line at the registers with this book, I looked over at the magazines section and saw a news magazine like NEWSWEEK. And on the cover was a face, or two very similar faces, the image torn down the middle, one half male the other female, and the issue's caption reading: THE TRANSGENDER EXPLOSION. Which I guess was about us, the growing TG phenomonon, yadda yadda yadda. And I remember having mixed feelings about our suddenly being so newsworthy, that I could already hear people in my life accusing me of jumping on some trendy bandwagon. And that was about where the dream ended...
So tell me doctor, what's up with those locomotive lobsters anyway?
~~~hugs, Laika
What borders on stupidity?
Canada and Mexico.
.
Locomotive Lobsters
I eagerly await the first chapter of your story... :)
Seriously, sounds like a possible scenario for a steam-punk romp of some kind. Will Smith had a giant mechanical steam-powered spider, if I remember correctly (although the film was iffy). Worth looking at?
Penny
I knew it was you
as soon as I read the giant mechanical locomotive-lobsters I thought this has to be Laika. Quick glance down and sure enough, there was your name. Freud would probably want you to tell him about your mother, but then he was a bit cracked. Personally I blame it on the cheese.
I'd be all for it!
And while I doubt that any of my work would make it into such a book, I'm sure many of the other authors here would agree with me that if they were asked, they would readily allow almost anything they've posted to the site to be used if it benefited BC.
What stories would I choose? Well, that's a lot harder question.
"Shoes" by Heather Rose Brown would probably end up being the introduction to the entire book, since it seems to be by pretty popular opinion considered one of the best introductions to transgenderism there is around.
Beyond that, it gets murkier. I'd say any such book should be limited to between twenty and twenty-five stories, and -- though many would probably disagree with me -- lean mostly toward the tamer subject matter available on the site while still running the gamut of ideas. SO...
--Lilith Langtree's written a number of excellent stories, and while many of them are sadly unfinished, the ones that have been finished would largely work as excellent entries in such a book. "Passion And Purpose" would probably be my first choice.
--Angela Rasch would, of COURSE, have to be included somewhere. While my personal favorite of her stories is "Swifter, Higher, Stronger," it is perhaps not the best story to include in such a collection. Oddly enough, "U Go To Hell" would I think be one of the best choices from her work for such a book. It takes a different view of the TG element than most stories on the site, and while it does have some unfortunate undertones for how the main character identifies themselves, it would be a good counter to the rest of what would likely be in the book.
--Angharad, anyone? As hard as it might be, a slightly edited version of the first few chapters of "Easy As Falling Off A Bike" would work very well in such a collection, and serve as a draw to bring greater readership to the site.
--We'd have to have some Laika, wouldn't we? "Victoria On The Cross" would, I think, serve quite well in a book. Again, it gives a different take on the TG aspect, and would add some much needed variety to things.
--I like a lot of Jennifer Brock's work, as well. I think "Colleen" would serve as another good addition to such a book for a number of reasons.
In addition to those listed, there are a lot of authors who I would want to add but whose stories I can't really pick one I'd say is the most likely for the book. Miss Erin, of course, as the site owner would have something in there. Jan S, Sue Brown, there are TONS of people who I think would not only be perfect for the book, but would likely agree to letting their stories be used, too.
Melanie E.
Nominations
If someone wants to try to come up with a list of nominations and sort through permissions, I'll help and prepare a book for CreateSpace or Lulu. I say this because I've had the idea kicking around for years and have done nothing with it, so I know I need someone else to take a lead. PM me if you're interested in being an editor on this project, we might need more than one.
Hugs,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
I would be honored to help
As someone whose own stories probably wouldn't make the cut, I could be objective....
"Treat everyone you meet as though they had a sign on them that said "Fragile, under construction"
dorothycolleen
blushes
I am honored you think so.
"Treat everyone you meet as though they had a sign on them that said "Fragile, under construction"
dorothycolleen
You're Welcome to My Stories
Erin and I have discussed this sort of project for years. You're welcome to any of my stories as long as they proceeds benefit BC. I'm honored to be considered and thank those who suggested my stories. Laika -- you're ideas have created nightmares for me on more than one occasion so I'm pleased to be part of your dreams. Your Fred Phelps story would be great for such a compilation.
I'm always surprised by which of my stories are noted as personal favorites. I'm partial to Baseball Annie and An Affair of the Harte for such an anthology.
I wonder though if such a book might not sell better if you selected authors and then asked them to write something new to put in it.
I would be happy to help in any way with this idea; for example, I could be part of the editing and emending process.
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
If any of my stories make the list, don't choose any of them...
...because there are many better stories than mine on this site that will represent what the BCTS truly trying to promote.
Huggles All
Angel
"Be Your-Self, So Easy to Say, So Hard to Live!"
"Be Your-Self, So Easy to Say, So Hard to Live!"
at least now you have a foreword
i believe it would be hard to top laika's "locomotive lobsters" to introduce such a collection.
not as think as i smart i am
That is an idea I wouldn't be averse to at all.
I have some ideas for nominations myself but would think everyone does. Still it's a good idea.
Maggie
There are several here I
There are several here I would like to suggest be included, but could I simply second the selection of Kristina?
The biggest problem with this idea...
...has to be deciding what would go in it. 600 pages would barely scratch the surface of some of the quality stuff I've read here and elsewhere over the years. Yes I'd also vote for Laika's 'Victoria on the Cross' (still can't get over the fish) and for my money there would have to be something from Drea Di Maggio; some of the sweetest, gentlest writing in the genre.
I like the idea of having some of this blood, sweat and tears out in the public domain and on paper, and seriously think that if we can persuade Average Joe and Jane in Drabland to pick it up, they would be both entertained and educated and, let's face it, what more can you ask from a story?
lets make it offical
i really would like to see this happen
"Treat everyone you meet as though they had a sign on them that said "Fragile, under construction"
dorothycolleen