Self-Organizing Man

Our art matters, right?

I think it does.  Which is why I started Homofactus Press.  I just got sick of not seeing books I wanted to read, so I decided to create the books instead.  Easier than bitching that Random House, or Alyson doesn’t do it for me, right?

Homofactus Press relies on great writers and great readers for its success.  In return, I give my writers great royalties (gross not net), so I can actually create - in some small way - the circumstances that allow trans and queer artists to make a living from their art.  Fucking shocking, I know.  Particularly for the Arts Hating America.

For my readers, I have wanted to create circumstances where you are involved deeply in our cultural creations.  How many times have you read a book that moved you (you loved it, hated it, found a typo, a historical error) and wanted to say something to the author or publisher, but couldn’t?

Welcome to Homofactus Press, where you can say something.  As often as you like, too.

In order to give you, dear readers, a better idea about what I’m doing with Homofactus Press, I’m giving out free samples of Self-Organizing Men.

(Free Book Cover Shot Here!)

Anybody want a chance to read/review an article or two or three that will appear in the anthology? Then you can find out what the whole ”our art matters” schtick  means first hand.

Three things are needed. The fourth is voluntary.

1.  You have to be a blogger at least 18 years of age with a regularly updated blog at least 3 months old.

2. You send me an email (jay at jaysennett dot com) with the words ”Participatory Art Experience 6669″ in the title (the “6669″ number makes it easier to keep track of the e-mails and makes them harder to get lost etc.). Please include your full name, a statement attesting to your age, date of birth and your blog URL.

3. Please read the article(s).  If you find any typos, etc., let me know by email or blog post.

4. Then, if you want - and only if you want to - blog about what you’ve read, what you think, like, don’t like.  Just say it on your blog. Then send a link/trackback here.

You’re under no obligation to blog about what you read of course. I just think making it “Bloggers Only” destroys mainstream publishers’ ideas about how books sell.

If we know what we want and need in the arts why turn over critical review to somebody with an axe to grind?  To somebody who thinks we’re born in the wrong bodies, that we’re exotic, unusual, or superhuman?  To somebody who answers to an editor who answers to advertisers?

I would love it if this ”blogvertising” works. But of course, I can’t do it alone; I need the complicity of other bloggers. What if, say, not one or two of you end up blogging about it, but a couple of dozen? What will be the rippling effect?

Arts started out being made by the people, for the people.  After all, there were’nt any art critics, or galleries or publishers in Lascaux, France.

HfP books will sell because of you lovely readers and bloggers.  Share your honesty.  And if we’re lucky enough, maybe you’ll share your love, too. 

It’ll be interesting to hear what the blogosphere has to say. I hope to hear from you. Thanks again.