Teneia Sanders is an indie musician from Jackson, Mississippi who now lives in Phoenix. She’s a rising star and is not afraid to be
out and proud about her life and in her music. One of her songs was recently featured in the HBO documentary Prom Night in Mississippi featuring Morgan Freeman.

Teneia spoke with us at the Lesbian Dating website about her music, her career, her choice to be out and what she thinks makes the perfect lesbian date.

I see that one of your songs was chosen for an HBO movie called Prom Night in Mississippi. How did that happen?
Alignment pretty much. I had a very good friend, Thabi Moyo, who was working on the documentary and at the time it was called Return to Mississippi. Anyway, she and the director were in her car and he heard a live CD that I had recorded (but never released) and he loved my voice. He wanted me to come in and sing some black spirituals and I agree to and asked if I could write a song for it. He said yes and was enthralled by the approach that I used to talk about racism. Two years later, HBO picked it up and he gave me the okay that they approved my song. It was one of the best days of my life! It was gratifying to know that my work was finally getting somewhere.

You have a very sweet video depicting a lesbian couple in love. The lyrics are gender-neutral and could apply to any couple, so why did you choose two women as the lovers?
Well I chose two women because that’s what my love life looks like. I didn’t want to use some guy when everyone knows that I’m in a relationship with a beautiful and intelligent woman. It would be false to who I truly am, a queer woman! Also, I wanted to use the
video to express that love is love no matter what. (Ed Note: The video can be seen at Teneia’s website: http://www.teneiasanders.com/default.html)

What else can you tell me about the making of the video of Love You Thru Words?
It was a great experience! The director, Chris Labadie is so SUPER talented and was so much fun to work with. We filmed at ASU West in their Theatre room and a few local places in the Phoenix area. Maryam Cne (the actress) was such great company as well. She’s so skilled and talented in her own right and was up for the challenge of being in a same sex video. I love that.

I got this from your bio page: -Winner of 2011 Chicks with Picks ‘ChickStock’ contest. That sounds fun! Can you tell me more about this contest?
That was a kick ass day! AZ Chicks with Picks are the best thing that’s happened to me since moving to Phoenix. They are a female owned and operated organization that books female singer-songwriters in venues and festivals all over the valley. So at their annual contest last year I won Best Original Song and Best Performance and walked away with $1500 and recording time. I also judged the contest this year and got to open for Lucinda Williams. So, it keeps paying off. Good times and great women!

Who are your musical influences?
I love everything from classical music to Janis Joplin to Tupac. I love so many types of music that it’s hard to choose but the artists that have changed my life the most are: Ani DiFranco and Dave Matthews. They are so profound and tasteful at their craft that my heart melts every time I hear one of their songs.

I understand you got your start singing in church. What was your favorite song to sing in church?
His Eye is on the Sparrow. I sing it acapella all the time. Though I don’t go to church much now, I still sing it sometimes when I’m in the car.

And now you’re an out lesbian performer. Was it hard to make the decision to be out?
I was a ‘Fag Hag’ (not sure if I can say that in an interview, but what the hell) before I was out so it wasn’t hard for me to come out. My best friend, BJ is gay and was very accepting. My family has been supportive. My Mom had a hard time coming around at first. I just live my life for myself and my own happiness. I didn’t want to lie about my relationship because it is too important. So it hasn’t been hard, if anything it’s been better. Now I have a solid community for support and I am so thankful for that.

What’s your idea of a perfect date?
Perfect day would be: my partner, Adrienne and I going on a one day spiritual retreat together where there was healing work (meditations, yoga, reiki.etc) during the day and a dance party at night filled with red wine! Sounds like a day where I would be in total bliss with my sweetheart!

Is there a kind of music that makes good date music?
Anything that makes you want to be closer. Like Norah Jones makes me want to make-out all night and I love that!!!

Where can people find out more about you and listen to your music?
My music is on Itunes, Bandcamp and CDBABY.com. Also at my website, TeneiaSanders.com

Shalimar Eaton is a lesbian rock musician from Loveland, OH who came out at the young age of 15. In addition to being a rock and roll performer, she’s recently penned a lesbian erotic soap opera. She talks to us about all of her adventures.

Shalimar, I understand your background is that of a rock musician. What possessed you to write a book of lesbian erotica?

Possessed, good word. Well, with my short attention span, I have always found poetry and lyrical writing to be more suitable for me, however, one night I thought I would write a short story about a straight woman and the desire she had for her lesbian friend. Many times I have watched straight girls falling for perhaps the only lesbian they knew.

I had no plan, no idea where I was going or who these two characters were until I started writing. Upon what I thought would be my finished work, I realized this was not the end of the story but the first chapter in what would become a dirty little soap opera. I then introduced a whole lesbian community full of women with different “mental genders.”  It was my first time ever creating characters and personalities and the really cool thing about it was seeing them so clearly. I could hear their voices; watch their body language and I knew their personal integrity or lack thereof as soon as they were introduced to my mind. One of my goals, when I decided to write this thing was to have my reader be entertained in a different fashion than perhaps they had experienced before.

There are things that have happened for a few of my readers. They feel some sort of shift, or perhaps have an awakening in themselves sexually they had not known prior to reading this story.  I want women to be exposed to things they may have never considered. Also be inspired to research and learn about our diverse community. As my characters developed, I grew to enjoy getting to know them. It is a completely different creative process than writing and performing music and I love seeing my characters flow naturally into who they are. My attention deficit makes writing a humorous challenge at times.  I have no guide lines; I am just writing freely with no expectations or pressure. I have no desire to mold my creative process with the demands or strict submission guidelines of a publishing company. I write what I want the way I want. I loathe being controlled…well, when it comes to my creative process anyway. (giggle)  I’ve had some ridicule and of course it sucks but I’m not worrying about opinions, judgments or making sure I don’t offend different groups within the lesbian community. It is just a story and my characters are who they are. Once a rebellious rocker, always a rebellious rocker.

How is writing erotica different than writing a love song?

I would say that writing a love song has to make an impact on the listeners’ soul, whereas erotica makes an impact ummm somewhere else. The best love songs are the ones that the listener can relate their personal experience too. I love the marriage of poem and music. Add music to voice and it ends up touching the soul of the listener much deeper, affecting many energy centers at once. Tapping into so many aspects of human emotion, the energy of music has a great advantage because it is so powerful….Now, writing erotica is straight up finding a way to poetically and graphically describe what is going on in the bed, the kitchen counter, the stairs or church yard etc. It doesn’t necessarily try to engage the heart like a love song would. You have to stimulate your reader sexually very quickly, that is why they are reading your book and not a how to guide to floral arranging. I realize that the content of my book isn’t for everyone so I am looking for my audience. People have told me they usually flip through their erotica books trying to find the sex scenes. What many have said to me and I quote is “Wow you don’t make us wait do you?”  I don’t read erotica so I am naïve and unaware of what is out there. I relied on the comments of my readers to tell me about my own writing technique. I am hoping that my dirty little soap is entertaining enough to enjoy the foreplay between the many sex scenes.  I believe character development is important and is what separates erotica from porn. I chose the term “Soap Opera” because I really think it suits my story.

Which gets you more play? Rock star or erotica writer?

What kind of “play” are you referring too? (giggle) Since rock star is a huge part of who I am, and earlier in life, was all that I was, I would say rock star. Most people know me as a musician not an author of erotica. Hopefully when our album has been mastered, officially released and my book gets some exposure my “Play” will pick up for both projects. I am also getting ready to release a children’s story book. The moral of this story isn’t just for children but for all. It is about diversity and self-acceptance.  Admiring what makes each of us different. It is ready to go and will be released very soon.

The book The Carnal Lampara has some pretty steamy scenes. Did you give a copy to your mother?

Ummm well, no. She got her big dose of lesbian erotica when I was 16 and she saw me kissing my first girlfriend. Let’s just say it isn’t a book she would even want to know about.

You have quite a diversity of characters in your book, from femmes to “straight” women and stone bois. Are any of these characters based on people in your life?

No, but wouldn’t that be a horny bunch of friends? I have been asked that question by friends many times. A few have asked if the names were changed to protect the guilty? I can honestly say, though inspired by the strong sensitive amazing Bois/Butches in my life, that the characters in my book are fictitious except for one and that is only because he asked to be in the book one day as a joke so I wrote him in. “Chadarina the Towel Fairy” is the only character derived from an actual real person. If Carmelita was real, no doubt I would be on the lookout for her. I’m attracted to that lethal kind of Boi. As far as my character diversity, my main goal was to give a voice to those who perhaps never see themselves in lesbian erotica.

Recently, after reading an article that I wrote for the online magazine “Boi Meets Play” about “How to give a proper boi blow job” one of my readers said “Every time I read something that you have written, I start to think maybe I am a boi.” Another reader questioned her identity, the difference between boi and butch and what the term “boi blow job” actually meant.  I loved this question because I find women can go many years without fully understanding themselves sexually or how they identify even down to personal style. I am not saying label yourself, I am saying when you understand who YOU are sexually, what really turns you on, then the sexual chemistry between you and your lover can be very intense and connect you in a more spiritual way.

I love Tantra and I love knowing how my lover identifies. It absolutely contributes to our chemistry.  Also feeling safe enough to express with your lover, the intricacy of your “mental gender” is very important for the bond between the two of you.  If my writing can bring a new awareness to someone I am all about it. I want my readers to laugh as well as engage them in a world perhaps they do not experience in their circle of friends. I still witness unpleasant comments within our community aimed toward those who defy the gender binary of our society. I love seeing my characters flow naturally into who they are. I have had comments like “Oh that is just weird” or “I don’t get that at all” while making an “icky” face.

Living in the conservative Midwest, I know even though gay is known as “different” (whatever) closed mindedness and judgment is still very much a part of our own gay community.

What was your favorite part of writing The Carnal Lampara?

Getting the visuals, I could hear their conversations, see their expression, I watched them having sex like I was a videographer. I wrote the first 7 chapters in 7 days. Due to having a day job, band practice and studio time, I had to write between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. I was seriously the image you get of a manic writer stuck in a world of fantasy. I took a break for the holidays and when inspired again, I wrote the next 6 chapters in 7 days. The remaining chapters came randomly. It took me longer to figure out how to publish than it did to write the book. One year, and it was finally released at the end of December. Manic writer nights are an intense experience. A writer isn’t “normal” you know, so being a Lesbian Musician Erotica Writer well, you get the picture?

You say The Carnal Lampara is Episode 1 of a lesbian soap opera. What can we expect from future episodes?

Well I am 8 chapters into my next book which is called “The Carnal Lampara Episode 2 The Bells of La Lampara” There is a new Boi in town, Laine Bello Connally, an Army Vet from Kentucky. I personally love the sincerity of this character. Laine identifies as lesbian but more like a male/lesbian. I love the diversity of genders within the “Lesbian Umbrella” I could really talk about this for days but I will just say, though Laine identifies as male, there are still very “female” qualities that the reader will notice. When I say “female qualities” of course I am referring to what our culture has taught us is inherently female or male. Not just Lesbians, but the liberation of all women has led us to be extremely creative with our sex lives. Over my almost 33 years of being out, I love that the Boi/Butch movement has a much stronger voice than it once had.

In the next episode, new characters are being introduced and the supporting characters from the first book are coming forward so we will learn a lot about them that we didn’t know in the first episode. Since I popped my writing cherry all by myself, and am an unknown self- published author, I am looking for my audience and I appreciate you for giving me this opportunity. “Bells” will be out before 2013.

I listened to your music on MySpace. I really enjoyed it. Are you still making music? Can you tell us about your band?

Thanks I appreciate you taking the time to listen to us. Let me just say that I decided to write under a pseudonym to isolate my erotica writing from my music but in the end I found that trying to separate “me” from “me” within my community was hard and that my projects were better served exposing myself…don’t take that wrong!

I will continue to write erotica under Shalimar Eaton but my real name is Bleu, I am the Lead Vocalist/Bassist/Lyricist for Wicked Daisy out of Loveland Ohio. We have just sent our album to The Lodge in New York City to be mastered for radio play. My guitar player Pam King and I are also interested in having our songs considered for movie soundtracks. We drink Layer Cake Shiraz, eat wasabi peas and write songs. At this point we see no end to this very important part of our lives. We have an amazing drummer, Eddie Jones and a keyboard player who is scary talented, Joe Russell. Soon the album will be available but until then, you can find the un-mastered versions of our songs here: http://www.myspace.com/wicked.daisy and www.soundcloud.com/wickeddaisy

For music info, you can also become a subscriber to my public status at www.facebook.com/daisyvox I keep everyone posted on the progress of our album “TORN” other info about the band and our future C.D. release party. Wicked Daisy also has a FB page that we are trying to get off the ground so go “like” us please!

Where can people find out more and order your book?

You can find my book here: https://www.createspace.com/3735385

You can also find more info on my book at my website:  www.shalimareaton.weebly.com and friend Shalimar Eaton on Facebook for updates and other random Shalimar thoughts.  I just sent three copies to Pearls in Key West so if you’re down there I think you’ll be able to check it out at the front desk!

The Highlands Inn in Bethlehem, NH has been a lesbian vacation spot and playground since the 1980s. Now that same-sex marriage is legal in New Hampshire, it’s become a lesbian wedding destination. We spoke with Grace Newman the owner of the Highlands Inn.

Grace, how long have you owned the Highlands Inn?

We bought the property in 1983 and completely renovated the main building, grounds, and swimming pool. Three years later, I bought and restored the Farmhouse, a charming, 200-year old house that’s the oldest house in Bethlehem and just a short walk from the Main Inn. We opened the Cottage in September 1990.

What made you decide to open an inn just for lesbians?

In 1982, after much discussion, my then-partner and I decided to leave the corporate world and try innkeeping. As lesbians, we were acutely aware of how awkward it was back then to book a room with only one bed! We spent several months looking for a suitable property in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Western Massachusetts. When we found what became The Highlands Inn, we knew it was the perfect place–located in the heart of New Hampshire’s beautiful White Mountains, just minutes from the Interstate, and with the privacy provided by lots of land.

We believed that there was a real need for a women’s place, where lesbians could get away and be completely comfortable. It was always difficult to ask for a room with one bed and still can be uncomfortable, and holding hands in public was sure to get stares. Women needed a place that was truly their space:  comfortable, relaxing, and completely accepting. There were a few women’s bars in Boston at the time, but the bars were not an alternative to what we wanted to do. Women needed a place where they could meet and socialize with other lesbians.

Years ago, many women mentioned to me and to friends that they had trouble meeting other lesbians. Now that’s changed somewhat, and I believe that the Highlands has contributed to the change. Many of our guests who’ve been visiting the Inn for years have told me that they met some of their best friends at the Inn. And first-time guests often mention how much they enjoyed meeting other guests.

Initially, although the goal always was to establish a safe and comfortable place for women, we pretty much took all comers … lesbians, gay men, and a few straight couples. This was necessary to get the business off the ground. After a couple of years, however, we made the decision to go for it and promote the Inn as a “Lesbian Paradise.” This was risky, after all, the business was doing fairly well with the original mixed clientele. However, I well knew that many lesbians hungered for a place where they could be truly comfortable and accepted without facing even a hint of curiosity from other guests … a place where they were just another lesbian couple.

I believe that this was unquestionably the right decision. The Highlands Inn was the first resort in the country to define itself as a place for women only, and remains today one of a handful. I also think it’s really important to continue to have women’s spaces; we are losing more and more all the time. People think that young lesbians don’t appreciate it, but a lot of them have visited lately, and they tell me it is incredible to be here just with other women.

Did you ever think when you opened a lesbian B&B that you would see the day when same-sex marriage would be legal in New Hampshire?

I’m an optimist. I have always believed that we would eventually get to the place where other people’s sexual orientation is not an issue for most Americans. We’re not there yet … there are tremendous regional differences in this country … but things have gotten a lot better for many lesbians and gay men during the last 10 years or so. New Englanders tend to believe “live and let live,” so I’m very thankful but not really surprised that New Hampshire has legalized same-sex marriage. New Hampshire is the only state to have had civil unions and same-sex marriage achieved through the legislature rather than the courts.

How has New Hampshire’s legalization of same-sex marriage affected your business?

It’s been good for business. We held our first commitment ceremony in 1985. Since then, hundreds of couples have had civil union and commitment ceremonies at the Inn. And since marriage has been legal here, we’re hosting several weddings each month. Of course most brides stay on for their honeymoon!

Women come from all over the country to be legally married here. Many are long time guests of the Highlands, but many have not been here before and have found us when they searched for a place where they could be legally married. I expect that these new guests will tell their friends about the Inn and will be back for vacations and anniversaries.

Couples like to get married in the arbor in the summer or by the fireplace in the winter. We get a lot of brides from Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and the South. The biggest wedding in 2011 brought 100 people to the Inn!

We usually have two or three large weddings a year, when the entire Inn is rented for the occasion. However, most of our ceremonies simply involve the brides, sometimes with a few close friends or family. Whether the ceremony is small or large, we are ready to help the couple plan the perfect event! For larger weddings, we have a comprehensive Wedding Planning Guide that can be downloaded from our website. For smaller weddings, we offer an Intimate Wedding Package. We also have a Wedding Info sheet with useful contact info.

What kinds of things happen at your singles weekends?  Is it a good place to meet a potential partner?

This is the 6th year for our successful Especially for Singles weekends. The Inn’s low-key environment makes it very comfortable for guests to socialize and meet some new friends. Typically we’ll have wine  and cheese near the fireplace in the living room and a cozy house concert on Saturday night. Other activities depend on the guests’ interests … a group hike, Wii, and games are some possibilities.

These weekends are “Especially for Singles” but not exclusively for singles. Couples are welcome too, and can bring single friends for the weekend. Actually any time is a good time to meet new people at the Highlands. You never can tell where and how you may meet your future partner!

How many guests can you accommodate?

We have 19 rooms … 13 in the Main Inn, 5 in the Farmhouse, and the Cottage. All rooms have a king, queen, or standard double bed, so a full house would be 38 guests. We can accommodate extra people in a few rooms that have a sleep sofa.

You host concerts at the Inn as well, can people who are not staying at the Inn come out just for the show?

Local women are welcome to come to our cozy house concerts. The concerts are free to guests. We ask non-guests to leave a gratuity for the performers.

Tell us a little bit about the area surrounding the Highlands Inn and what there is for guests to do?

There are always plenty of fun & interesting things for guests to do. We’re located right in the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountain region, one of New England’s most popular year-round vacation destinations.

The region attracts visitors from all over the world. Our fall foliage is world-famous and hiking and skiing are among the best in the country. Virtually all popular winter sports are available within minutes of the Inn. In warm weather, golf is very popular with our guests. We have two Donald Ross courses right in Bethlehem! In addition, many other warm-weather sports and outdoor activities are readily available … hiking, biking, horseback riding, canoeing, tennis, ziplining … you name it. Guests also enjoy moose watching, New Hampshire’s tax-free shopping, summer theatre, and antiquing. You’ll find several antique shops in Bethlehem. The area also boasts many excellent restaurants, both casual and “gourmet.”

Many activities are available right at the Inn. The 15 miles of well-maintained hiking/skiing trails around the Inn offer outstanding conditions for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The trails are also perfect for a romantic walk and perhaps a picnic in a secluded spot along the way. In the summer, guests enjoy the 54-foot heated pool with its large sundeck, adjacent gazebo, and barbecue area. The outdoor spa is also adjacent to the pool. The large private indoor spa is located in a room off the breakfast room.

Other popular activities at the Inn include watching a movie from the extensive lesbian/gay movie collection, browsing through the large library, or finally reading that book you’ve been waiting to read. Guests also enjoy watching the wildlife, which is constantly changing depending on the season!

Evening activities center around the great old stone fireplace in the spacious, comfortably furnished living room. It’s here that guests congregate for conversation, a glass of wine before dinner, or a game of Scrabble on a snowy night. As many guests have mentioned, there’s always plenty to do at this very special women’s place.

Anything else you want to tell us about the Highlands Inn?

In addition to Singles Weekend we have several “theme” weekends that may be interesting to single women. These would include Murder Mystery Weekend (its 21st year!) and a weekend with Psychic Medium Amanda DeShong. It’s often easier to get to talking with a new person when you’re involved in the same activity…. like finding who done it!

She Magazine is the longest running magazine for LGBT women in Florida. We talked with Tina Sordellini, Managing Executive Editor just as the magazine’s 13^th anniversary issue hit the streets.

She Magazine is celebrating its 13th anniversary. Tell us a little about the start of She.
She was created as a result of the demise of a previous magazine I worked for named Fountain. We saw some great things in that magazine, but it had really reached its peak and become outdated. So, I took the best parts of Fountain and mixed them with things that were more timely and fresh for 1999 and launched a whole new product for women.
So much has changed in the lesbian community in 13 years, how has that affected the magazine?
It’s just given us more and more amazing things to write about!
You’re based in Florida. Does the magazine have content of interest to people outside of that state?
Our content is of interest to people from all over the globe. We include more national content than local to Florida content.
One unique thing about your magazine is that some of the content is in Spanish. Why did you decide to have separate Spanish content?
We recognize and appreciate our readers in the Hispanic community. So, we decided the best way to show that appreciation was to have content that was specifically targeted to that community.
What are some of the things in the past 13 years that you’re the most proud of?
To be honest, I am proud of each and every issue of She that we have published. I’m proud of my business partnership with Maria Espinal and the fact that we work so well together that we are able to produce a magazine that reaches so many and has helped so many. I’m extremely proud of our reputation within both the gay and media communities. I think it’s very important to be respected by your peers.
How has what lesbians want to read in a magazine changed over the years?
Times change, but some things don’t. At the end of the day, people always want to be entertained and they want to be informed. The names and faces may change over the years, but the basic concept is still the same: Keep it fresh and keep it timely.
Does the magazine have anything for single lesbians interested in dating?
Not specifically. For about a year we had a personals page, but found that there are so many outlets for those looking for love that it was best to let that go.
What makes South Florida a great place for lesbians?
I think anywhere can be a great place for lesbians. It’s all about getting involved and creating the community you want around you, no matter where you are. The options we have here are no more than you can find in many cities around the country and in some cases could be less than what you will find elsewhere if more women got involved in their region and made that happen.
Can you name three  places that lesbians should visit when in South Florida?
The LGBT Community Center (which I would say should be your first stop no matter where you are). In South Florida, there are three of them: Miami-Dade GLCC on South Beach, Compass in West Palm Beach/Lake Worth and The Pride Center in Wilton Manors/Ft. Lauderdale . At those centers, you will be able to find information on all the best places to go in the area.

Gabrielle Goldsby is the author of six novels, all with lesbian characters. She’s won a Lambda Literary Award and was a Forward Magazine finalist and recipient of the Alice B. Lavender Certificate. Gabrielle currently resides in Portland, Oregon. When not writing, she enjoys reading, camping, hiking, and lifting the heaviest things she can get her hands on.

I understand you got a pretty unusual start to your writing career. Can you tell us about it?

I knew I wanted to be a writer after reading my first Nancy Drew book. I’d dabbled here and there at putting my stories on paper, but I didn’t get serious about it until I started reading Xena fan fiction.  Since this coincided with the realization that  I was gay…well, I’m sure you understand the excitement that a universe of people devoted to reading stories for and about women would generate.  I did cheat a little though.  Most of my stories were thought up long before I read fan fiction. A tweak to the eye color here, an added quirk or euphemism there and my stories fit right in. There, I admitted it. I was a fan fiction fraud.

You write both romance and suspense novels, but they all center around lesbian relationships. Why are lesbians the centers of your books?

Fantasy played a huge role in my fiction early on. I simply wrote the stories I thought I wanted to live. Keep in mind that was 15 years ago.

Would anyone learn anything about lesbian relationships from your stories?

I think the best fiction has some elements of true life experience in it.   Having said that, while it would be nice to think that someone read one of my books and thought, wow I didn’t know that… it is not my goal to educate. My goal is to entertain.

Does writing about romance help your dating or love life?

This question made me laugh out loud. I’d have to say no. I would say that life and spending time with someone special has helped my writing more than vice versa. It may sounds strange, but I love to read fiction that has truth to it. You can tell when an author doesn’t believe what they’re writing. Happily ever after is hard to swallow if you don’t really believe it.

What’s your idea of a perfect lesbian date?

I don’t subscribe to the idea that there is a perfect date. People are so different that what works with one person doesn’t work with others.  If I had to choose a perfect date it would be quality time with someone special. That could be at an Italian café or on the couch with a book and a shared glass of wine.

One of your stories Such a Pretty Face has a plus size character. What is it about that story that resonates with you and with fans?

I can only speak for myself, but I spent most of my adult life in the plus size category. I still struggle with weight daily. You do not see plus size woman represented in fiction and when you do, they are rarely portrayed as sexy. I wanted to do both.

What makes a good lesbian romance novel?  Is it the same thing that makes a good lesbian romance?

I don’t consider myself a lesbian romance writer, but romance seems to creep into all my stories. If you give your readers likable characters, add a bit of conflict that can be overcome by love, you’ve got yourself the making if a good story. In my opinion, it’s not a romance if it doesn’t end happily ever after.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Winning the Lambda Literary award for Wall of Silence is high on my list of achievements.

What’s your latest project?

I have no idea which will be finished first, but I am toggling back and forth between suspense and a story that takes place in Louisiana in both the 80’s and the present. I rarely write this way and I only did it thinking one of the stories would pull my attention the most. It hasn’t happened yet, but we shall see.

Where can people find your books?

My books can be found or ordered in most brick and mortar women’s book stores, Barnes and Noble and Borders (if you can still find one). Online booksellers such as Amazon as well as my own publisher’s website: www. boldstrokesbooks.com

Radclyffe is an author and editor of lesbian novels and fiction. She has written more than 35 lesbian romance novels and dozens of short stories. She is the editor of Best Lesbian Romance series for Cleis Press. She’s won the Lambda Literary Award, Prism Award and Independent Publisher’s Award. She is also the founder of Bold Stroke Books.

What’s your favorite type of story to read?

Regardless of genre, I am looking for a story in which the characters jump off the page and the plot is gripping. I, like every reader, want to lose myself in another world, where what happens to the characters on their journey is so compelling I can’t put the story down until the end.

What’s your favorite type of story to write?

I like to write intense moments where every word, whether it’s dialogue or narrative, is critical to creating a story that pulls the reader in and doesn’t let go. Most often, these are moments of physical and emotional connection. As a result, I like writing stories/novels which include sex, which always involves both.

What do you look for when choosing a story for an anthology such as Best Lesbian Romance 2012?

I’m looking for an old story told in a new way. Most people who talk about plot make the remark that there are no new stories, only new versions of classic stories. The “romance” has been around for centuries, and the focus was generally a quest, which historically was that of a young man leaving home to make his mark in the world but has evolved into being a personal journey of growth catalyzed by an intimate interaction with another person. In other words, I’m looking for a story that shows intense interpersonal interactions that leave the reader believing these two women will continue on in life together.

Do you think romance is different for lesbians than straight women or gay men?

I don’t. I think the elements of a romance are the same for anyone–intimacy, desire, passion, commitment, and what we call, but can never define completely, love.

You’ve written so many books, what keeps you going?

Other than the fact that this is my job and I enjoy doing it? Not a week passes when I don’t get an e-mail from someone who was just discovered queer fiction. The sense of joy, validation and affirmation these readers experience convinces me week after week that what we do is important and valuable. I enjoy the process of creating, and being able to create a product that makes a difference in some small way in the lives of others is tremendously gratifying.

Anything else you want to tell us about what you’re up to or upcoming books?

I am currently accepting submissions for two more anthologies–Best Lesbian Romance 2013 and a lesbian couples anthology looking at love and passion after the honeymoon. I’ll be editing these for Cleis Press.  Personally, I have three new releases with Bold Strokes Books this year–the third in my paranormal romance series, Night Hunt written as L.L. Rand, Oath of Honor in July, and Crossroads, in November. The last two are Radclyffe romances.

Thanks very much for the opportunity to do this interview.

Radclyffe

Advice Columnist and Relationship Expert, Emily Wilcox, author of  100 Lesbians Walk Into A Bar takes a much needed and revealing behind the scenes look at lesbian dramas regarding sex, love, family, cheating, money, breaking up, moving in, coming out, marriage and much more.

We asked Emily Wilcox to share with us some of the most common lesbian dating and relationship issues and how she would go about solving them.

What first gave you the idea to write a book called 100 Lesbians Walk into a Bar? Where does the title come from?

My former advice column “Ask Emily” (for women who love women) sponsored by Here Media inspired the idea for the book. I had so many questions sent to me by my lesbian readers that I decided to put them into a book that would hopefully help women out there who are stuck in a bad relationship, trying to fix a mediocre one or find lasting love. The topics in the book range from sex to loss to finding your perfect match. And I always try to make it fun and entertaining.

The idea for the title was because a bar is usually a place where we go to drown our sorrows and forget about life for a while, as well as a place to laugh and have a good time. I wanted to have a funny title because I needed readers to know that this was not another depressing self-help book. When you deal in matters of the heart, there is automatically an underlined seriousness to it. But this book deals with these matters in a light fun way, where I transmit information with a wink and a smile. If I had a more serious title, people could easily assume the book was not funny…or worse, boring!

The book is a compilation of questions and answers about lesbian dating and relationships, are these questions from real lesbians?

Yes! Or so they say, right? They are real people. I changed their names to protect their identities.

Where do they find you to ask you their lesbian dating and relationship questions?

I am no longer answering questions as I no longer write an advice column…at least temporarily. I took some time to write books instead. I also have an office in Studio City, California, where I do private coaching. However, if I get the occasional question, I am happy to offer my advice. My e-mail address is actually in the back of the book, so I do welcome questions and comments. I enjoy helping women and I have a passion for supporting them to access their best self, best relationship and best life.  Having come from a place of despair to a place of joy and well-being, I can easier support those women who are struggling with their own issues of self worth. And at the end of the day, relationships don’t have problems, people do! And if we have self-love, we will only tolerate so much silliness from outside sources and our partners. We will no longer need to seek advice externally because we will automatically do what is best for us in our relationships. Sometimes the word “compromise” gets taken to the extreme and we lose ourselves and our ability to think on our own. We should never have to sacrifice who we are in order to be in a relationship. This should never be the case.

You start your book with a chapter on break-ups. Why start there? At the end?

I never thought of it that way! You are right. The reason why I actually had the break ups in the first chapter was partially because nearly 50% of readers had pain associated with a recent break up. After all, women write to me because they have problems and that is a main one. I started the book with the most popular problem. It is interesting that you call it “the end” because I think my goal was to let readers know this can also be a “new beginning.” Not many people read my book because they are in a perfect relationship or feel like they have a perfect life. And I suppose that perfection never really exists, but through our perceptions. I perceive my life to be perfect. But surely, someone else looking in would have a very different perspective. Perception is everything in life and our happiness depends on our ability to change our perceptions. Good lord, am I rambling or what? I feel like the wanna-be female version of Deepak Chopra. How annoying! Ok moving on…

Are you ever surprised by the questions you get? What’s one question that has shocked or stumped you?

I once had a woman ask me if faking an orgasm made her a liar even if she knew it was enhancing her relationship. I told her that if she needed to fake it, lying was the least of her problems.

Why do some lesbians fall for straight women? What’s that about?

This is a multi-faceted answer and is always an interesting conversation because as you know, we are born gay or straight. Our sexual orientation and gender identity are the two things in ourselves we cannot choose. So, why then do some lesbian woman think they can possibly “turn” a straight woman? They can’t and some lesbian women know this intrinsically. Therefore, falling for a straight woman has a safety to it. On another note, ‘”femininity” can be more prevalent in the straight community and there are also so many beautiful women in the world that it’s hard to not fall for them—straight or gay!

Can (and should) lesbians remain friends with their exes?

Yes, they sure can as long as both women and their respective partners are in agreement. However, if you are in a newly committed relationship and still have residual feelings for an ex, it would be not be in integrity to remain friends. At least until both parties have moved on emotionally. But being friends with our exes can be such an asset to our lives. I mean, who else knows us better than them?

What’s the best lesbian dating advice you can give?

Be yourself. Don’t pretend to be someone you are not. We fall in love with truth. And truth, although we think it is hidden and invisible, is felt energetically. We have to remain authentic, even if we think vulnerability is risky. It’s much riskier to hide behind false pretences and alter egos in order to avoid opening up and hence, possibly getting hurt. So, when we are putting on airs, lying or trying to make ourselves appear a certain way, it will only backfire. We never need to pretend to be someone we are not. We should love ourselves exactly as we are at this very minute. There is nothing we need to be, do or have to be incredibly valuable to the world. We are worthy simply because we were born. We are lovable and deserving of love without fixing one single thing about ourselves. We cannot wait to start dating or looking for love simply because we want to “fix” ourselves first. We will never be perfect or without flaws, ever! We are perfect with our flaws. And from this realization, comes great confidence.

Where can people find out more about the book and ask you their own lesbian dating or relationship questions?

The book is on  Amazon and they can learn more about it from reading websites such as About.com!

Dean Nelson is the man behind one of the biggest gay and lesbian ski weeks every year up in Whistle, BC. WinterPRIDE features top notch skiing and snowboarding, but also a plethora of events and parties for skiers and non-skiers alike. WinterPRIDE in Whistler is one of the most lesbian-friendly gay ski events. Dean Nelson talks to us about WinterPRIDE and why the ladies love it so much.

WinterPRiDE – Annual Gay & Lesbian Ski Week: Feb. 5-12, 2012

Dean, tell me what WinterPRIDE is and how you got involved? -

WinterPRIDE is the evolution of Gay Ski Week.  In 2007 we re-branded Gay Ski week as we saw there was a bigger opportunity to reach more people by become more inclusive to both the skier/non skier, to the full spectrum of our very diverse LGBT community.  We have programming specific for the women, to the bear/leather/fetish, to the circuit queens and everything in between.  I first was involved with Gay Ski Week back in 1995 as a hotel partner, as well as a volunteer, and then in 2006 became part of the organizing group that took over the week long celebration.

There are a few other gay ski weeks out there, but WinterPRIDE seems to be the best at attracting lesbians. Why is that?

WinterPRIDE is a huge team effort and we are really fortunate to work with many wonderful community groups that are able to engage and listen to what our women are looking for and needing in a winter escape.  We are thrilled to have been able to work with http://www.flygirlproductions.com/ Flygirl Productions for the past three years and really taking our Shred Betties Bash to the level that are attracting the international and regional lesbian.  We also have created some fun programming on Friday with our Purrlesque party which got off to a great debut last year.

Why come to an event like WinterPRIDE instead of just going to Whistler for a ski week on your own?

The advantage of coming during WinterPRIDE is the village vibe is remarkably different.  Everyone loosens up, is having a great time and everyone can just be themselves without having to think in their mind, “Is this okay?”  Also many of our resort partners have exclusive discounts and promotions during the week therefore making your vacation budget stretch that much more.  You can also win some amazing prizes and of course you are meeting like-minded people from all over the world.  Many of our guests have found their life partners!  When WinterPRIDE is in port of Whistler…. it’s like being on the Love Boat!  Things can happen… just saying.

Tell me about the skiing and snow boarding. Do people all meet up to ski together or what?

Yes, everyday during WinterPRIDE, we assemble everyone that wants to ski/snowboard together into similar skiing/riding abilities.  This way you are able to meet other people at your own speed and have an enjoyable experience on the 8,171 acres of pure skiing bliss… our mountains can be a bit overwhelming for some of our guests from Minnesota!  This also means if you are in a relationship and you are at different skiing abilities you can break off and each have an amazing time on the mountain and come back and meet for lunch and later for apres without feeling guilty of either holding your partner back or pushing him/her into terrain that they are not comfortable with.  It has saved a many a marriage I reckon!

Are there races or competitions?

On Friday, Feb. 10th we have our annual Charity Ski Race… the race is actually a race against yourself where you need to guess your time.  So it does not necessarily mean the fastest racer wins…. it is the skier that is the most consistent.  Last year the winner guessed his time perfect!  All proceeds this year go towards the Whistler Health Care Centre.

What about newbies? Can they get lessons?

Yes, Whistler Blackcomb offers both private and group lessons.  When you sign up and let the guest relations know you are with WinterPRIDE they will do their best to link you up with other WinterPRIDE guests.

What kinds of events do you have for non-skiers?

There are so many amazing adventures to get into… we have the very passive adventures like culinary (mixology, wine tastings, beer sampling, progressive dinners), sightseeing on the Peak2Peak gondola, Inner Tubing, dog sledding, ice skating in the village, to relaxing and detoxing at one of our many spas… to more adrenaline adventures like Bungee Jumping, Snowmobile tours, ZipTreking, and new this year… Skelton!  Imagine hovering just inches off a sheet of ice clocking some 70 mph head first down the fastest sliding track in the world!  That is Skelton at the Whistler Olympic Sliding Centre… it is okay, totally safe… Skelton is the easiest of the three sliding sports and you have a full training session on how to slide safely!

What big women’s events do you have scheduled for 2012?

This year we have the incredible Purrlesque Party with the every outrageous Samantha Mack as our emcee / mistress of the night and headline acts include Burgundy Brixx and Madame Mae I with DJ Kassy Riot whipping the girls into a frenzy!  The Vancouver Observer said, “To watch Burgundy Brixx, was to see an artist at the top of her craft. In a sparkling green dress that set off her flaming red hair, Brixx was in total control of the audience, expertly choosing when and what to reveal.”
Of Course we have Shred Betties Bash coming back for another fabulous year with Mandy & Leigh of Flygirl Productions producing the show with DJ Riki Rocket and DJ Miss M and loads of beautiful snow bunnies to get you in the mood to party the night away.  All of our events are accessible to everyone, so besides these two signature events… the girls will be at the apres ski parties, comedy show with Vancouver comedian Julia Stretch and Hollywood comic Jason Stuart.

Is WinterPRIDE a good place for single lesbians? Or is it geared more toward couples?

WinterPRIDE has a diverse offering so we have both singles, couples and swingers!  So of course a single lesbian is going to have a total rage… as I had indicated earlier many guests have found their life partners here….

Anything else you want to say about WinterPRIDE?

We are celebrating diversity for 20 years… on Sunday, Feb. 5th we will be doing a retrospective during the Welcome party looking back at 20 years and where we have come… and looking forward to more fantastic years to come…. this year the Resort Municipality of Whistler (Town Hall)  has officially declared Feb. 5-12, 2012 “Pride Week in Whistler” and the Mayor herself will be presenting the Proclamation during the Thursday Apres Ski.  It is so exciting to see after 20 years the municipality recognizing the festival and giving us official civic status.  That is exciting!  We have come along way!!  We still have some incredible ski packages ($130/person/night for a 5 night / 4 day ski pass) to some stellar room only prices starting at just $119/night… so come on up and be part of the celebration!  Call 1.866.787.19

Epochalips is a new website primarily targeted toward lesbians 40 and over and their friends and allies. Some of the best names in lesbian culture contribute to the site including comedian Kate Clinton, filmmaker Nicole Conn and author Jewelle Gomez. We spoke with Robin Lowey founder of the site.

Robin, tell me a little about your background and why you wanted to start Epochalips.com.

After the break-up of a long-term partnership (27 years!) that included 2 kids and many satisfying years together, I found myself alone without an intact family. On top of that, my best friend died and I lost my job. So, instead of crawling in a hole, I did something cathartic for myself that has helped keep me sane. I started Epochalips as a way to reach out to our underserved community. We aren’t young but we aren’t old either. There is no shame in being a bit older and wiser. And without the community-based women’s coffeehouses and bookstores to help promote our various endeavors, I felt we needed a virtual space to share our successes and inspirations with each other.

Where did the name come from? (Love it!)

Epochalips (pronounced apocalypse) is all about the next chapter of our interesting, exciting lives.  The word epoch means a moment in time chosen as the origin of a particular era. This is our time. Lips is a good lesbian word. And Epochalips is….well….its just our name, OK? I needed a domain I could own that wasn’t already taken,

Who is the intended audience of Epochalips?

Lesbian baby-boomers. Mostly gals over 40 and their friends. There are plenty of sites that skew super young, and they will have stories about women my age every now and then as an afterthought. Epochalips is for us, with the youngsters as an afterthought. I mean—we are the ones with the interesting stories to tell, right? It amazes me that the queer kids don’t know that it wasn’t always so easy to be ‘out’. We paved the way for the current generation of queer, bi, transgender youth. We are tired of being dismissed, its time to be worshiped and revered.

You’ve got some of the best lesbian writers to contribute to the site. Jewelle Gomez, Kate Clinton, Nicole Conn, Margie Adam, Eleanor Palacios and Marga Gomez. How did you get such a stellar line-up of writers?

You know, each case is different. Marga, Eleanor and Monica Palacios have been dear friends for 25 years. Eleanor (The Battle Axe) has basically been my partner at Epochalips, and Monica (the Queer Senorita) is my favorite funny person to bounce ideas off of.  Eleanor knows EVERYBODY and steers me toward people I can trust. I guess I was subconsciously prowling the dyke march for prominent lesbians when I spotted Margie Adam and begged her to join our ranks. I contacted her no less than 10 times before she agreed to meet me for lunch. Margie suggested I reach out to Jewelle Gomez, who is my most prolific and dedicated contributor to date. Nicole Conn found me on Facebook and I visited her and partner Marina Bader on the set of their new movie, A Perfect Ending. They are genuinely nice human beings who are committed to helping others. It’s so awesome when we all help each other and play nice rather than competing. Eleanor introduced me to Kate Clinton at an NCLR event. Her publicist, Michele Karlsberg is a total sweetheart and helps keep me in the loop about Kate.

What kind of experience do you hope people will have on the site? What do you hope to do that other sites are not?

I want lesbians to read about themselves and their lives in a positive forum. Besides promoting lesbians various endeavors, I like to shake things up with posts about unexpected topics. What’s it like to be a genderqueer person getting breast reduction surgery? How does it feel to fall in love with someone 30 years your senior?  Is menopause an excuse for homicide? Who has restless leg syndrome and why is your dog in your FB profile photo? I want people to laugh, cry and be able to relate on a personal level to our site. I’m pretty sure no one else is talking about this stuff.

I know you and many of your contributing writers have been a part of the LGBT community for many years. What was it like to organize a lesbian event before the age of Facebook, Twitter, cell phones and even email?

Eleanor (The Battle Axe) says: Back in the day, we made flyers and distributed them to bars, bookstores and any business that would allow us to do so before someone ripped them down. We also shoved them into the hands of lesbians wherever we could find them. We even snail mailed some and actually dialed telephones to call people to make sure they were really coming. With those limited means, we tried to create a buzz.

How has the internet changed things for lesbians of your generation?

Well, considering that everyone’s attention span gets shorter and shorter every day with all the distractions, I think moving magazine forums like this online and providing byte sized tidbits of interesting stories is the way of the future. We are ON it.

What can we expect from Epochalips in 2012?

More fascinating content and increased frequency of the e-magazine html email. If you aren’t already signed up for our e-magazine, click here to get in the loop.

Specifically, we have in the works an interview series that highlights the top 20 baby boomer lesbians who have made a real difference and helped changed our world. We are headed to the final four in Denver this coming Spring to party and will have some awesome giveaways. We are growing by leaps and bounds.

Anything else you want to add about Epochalips.com?

YES! We are always looking for contributors. Right now you are probably thinking:

I want to contribute a story to Epochalips. What do I do?
First, hug yourself. Because you’re helping to make Epochalips (and our world) a better place. Then write to us for contributor guidelines. Email: info@epochalips.com.

Gina Noelle Daggett is an award-winning writer, director, producer, speaker, and columnist in Curve Magazine. Daggett is best known under the pen name “Lipstick” in the popular national advice column Lipstick & Dipstick featured in Curve. Her debut novel, Jukebox, was published by Bella Books (Nov 2010).

1. 1. Gina, we first heard about you as one half of the lesbian advice duo Lipstick & Dipstick in Curve magazine. How did you get your start as an advice columnist?

It all started with a piece of pizza.  Pepperoni.  I was writing for the Portland, Oregon LGBT paper Just Out and had attended their annual writer appreciation pizza party.  And wouldn’t you know, I sat down next to a butch woman named Kathy.  She immediately made fun of my sweater, which was fuzzy and bright. I made sure to let her know her jeans—which I could tell had been her favorite pair since she was in high school—were so 1981.

The rest is history. Or rather, herstory. We became allies first (our jabs were in jest) and then friends, and decided to collaborate together on a butch/femme column.  Gay papers picked it up, and so did our beloved Curve Magazine, to whom we will forever be devoted.  We love being a part of the Curve family.

1. 2. In your opinion, what are some of the biggest dating mistakes lesbians make?

It’s three things: 1) Moving too fast into something serious, 2) Making assumptions, 3) Having Mexican food on their first date. Beans + Garlic = trouble.

1. 3. What kind of lesbian dating questions do you typically get from lesbians?

Hands down, it’s “How can I meet women?” Also, questions like “Is it a date or just bubble tea?”

When it comes to dating, the biggest lesson lesbians need to learn is that we must be  a different kind of women when we’re dating each other.  Growing up, we’re told the boy will ask the girl out, he’ll ask us to dance, and he’ll get on one knee to propose marriage. He’ll call, he’ll pay, he’ll open your door, and he’ll make the moves.  Based on those norms, when you put two women together, sometimes we just stare at each other waiting for the other to take the lead, be the aggressor, be the “man.” When we first come out of the closet, it’s a role we’ve never had to play.

We must recalibrate the way we think and behave. If there’s a woman we really like, we need to take the initiative and be assertive. So what if we get turned down.  So what if it feels awkward.  We must push ourselves because that’s the only way we grow. Being forward with women is like French kissing; you’ll eventually get better, build your confidence and become a master.  Put yourself out there and stop being passive.

1. 4. In addition to being an advice columnist and relationship expert, you’ve penned a lesbian romance novel Jukebox. Give us synopsis of Jukebox.

Jukebox is a sexy, gut-wrenching love story. It’s a feast for the senses, an erotic, melodic, lushly-detailed coming-of-age about two privileged debutantes, Harper and Grace, who fall in love.

Writing Jukebox has been a true labor of love.  I wrote the story that I was searching for when I was in the closet many years ago.  A former debutante myself, there are some notes of truth within the story from my own life. Beyond it being a deeply-stirring romance, Jukebox takes you on a journey, one which examines the control that shame and fear have over our lives, both potent forces that will challenge their love to its very limits.

The project website has a host of goodies, including author interviews and the Jukebox playlist, which is the spine of the story.  http://jukeboxnovel.com/

1. 5. How different is it to write a novel versus writing a lesbian advice column?

It’s like comparing a hamster to a porcupine. They’re both living and breathing animals, but you have to approach them differently.

When you write a novel, you have to have some sense of where you’re going. Not all writers write this way, but I find it helpful because I’m a Sagittarius and tend to go on and on and on and on and on if there is no road map.  In fiction, you’re telling a story, too, so character development, scene setting, and manipulating tension are critical. These are all premeditated. Occasionally, you’ll get a cathartic surprise and the story/character will take you in an unexpected direction, but usually you have to work hard to get there.

Giving advice in Curve is more of a dance between Dipstick and I. We have fun, we play off each other, and usually don’t know where it’s headed.  It depends on the music (which is the question) and what mood I’m in.  Sometimes I’m serious, but usually I’m trying to infuse humor because I think it’s important to find the funny in life. Even when I’m being flip, however, I try to lace it with genuine advice. I care a lot about our readers and their genuine problems, despite my kneejerk humor.  That is evidenced in the fact we write every single person back who reaches out to us.  Unlike how I respond in Curve as Lipstick, it’s Gina who women hear from via email and that’s always sincere. It’s become a wonderfully gratifying element of what we do—the authentic connections and touch points we have with our readers off the page. I hope our schedule allow us to do that for a long time.

1. 6. Now you’re making films. What is it about film making that interests you?

Cultivating creative seeds really turns me on, so development is one of the best parts. I really love the form, too—a script (be it tv, film, stage) is such a specific craft and I’ve enjoyed learning the language and studying the great scripts of our time.

When I write fiction, I see scenes very clearly in my mind, like their being acted in a film, so that bodes well when I sit down to work on a script, and also when directing.  Other things I love: Being on set and saying the words “action.” It’s deeply invigorating.

Filmmaking also runs at the same speed I do—fast!  The fast rhythm of pre-production and production has the same measure as the beat of my heart. Making a film is the art of multi-tasking, problem solving, regrouping, refocusing, and acting on the fly.

Lastly, it’s magic to see ideas and words you’ve written manifest in physical form.  Seriously, magic.

1. 7. Tell us about adapting your novel into a screenplay and making a movie from Jukebox.

I’m hell bent on turning Jukebox into a film. I won’t stop until it happens.

I’ve adapted the novel into a screenplay two separate times from scratch on my own—just me, a stack of Post-it-Notes, and Final Draft. Maybe some red wine, too.

What I’ve realized throughout this adaptation process is that I’m too close to the story to be able to pull it off alone. I need another writer at the table who can come in, see things I don’t, tear the work to shreds and help make it a successful script. What works on the page doesn’t necessarily work on the screen, and I’m certain I need to kill more babies and birth some new ones.

Who is that writer? That’s the important question for 2012.  I have some ideas, but I haven’t made any moves yet. For the last few months, I’ve taken some time away from the story and plan on tackling it again after the New Year. I’m stoked about the upcoming months and want to make sure I make the right choice about co-writer, who I collaborate with creatively.  It’s an important relationship.

1. 8. You’re also involved with a reality TV cooking show in Canada. Tell us about that.

Oh we’re cooking up something sexy here in Vancouver! I have an incredible relationship with OUTtv (Canada’s gay network) and we’re collaborating on a killer cooking show. It’s called Forking Delicious and it features the recipes of an amazing chef, who is forking delicious herself.  (She also just so happens to be my sexy girlfriend in real life, so lucky me.) I’m the show’s host and her silly partner/sidekick in the kitchen.  We’ve already shot a pilot and are hoping to shoot the series in the spring/summer 2012.

1. 9. What more can one woman accomplish? What else do you have planned?

I wish there were more hours in the day!

Lipstick & Dipstick have some cool things in the oven.

Beyond Forking Delicious, my production company, Chateau Entertainment, has some projects in the early stages of development. A web series with hints of Reno 911, a sitcom and a couple book projects (including a Jukebox sequel).

Aside from the above, there’s also something really exciting I hope to be able to announce in the spring.  Right now, it’s top secret.

You can always follow that latest on my blog, which can be found on my website: http://www.ginadaggett.com