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On the site for the last while there have been discussions with the members on the public forums as well as privately in our Staff forum about the use of pictures and what is allowed on GA and what isn’t. As a site we strive very much on keeping most of GA free for all our members and guests. Our main revenue streams are Premium Membership and ad revenue from Google Ad Sense. Our Premium members contribute monthly or yearly to help defray the server costs as well as the helping to run the popular contests as well as soliciting Premium works. Google Ad Sense is applied to the site needs the same way. The staff are all 100% voluntary, giving generously of their time. We have been evolving as a free webpage over the years, from our early beginnings to our current format which will be updated even more in the near future. One of the aspects of the site that is very popular is the Gallery Bar at the top (if you haven’t closed it) of the Forums page. Those pinned images also take visitors to the public member galleries with personal albums where there are even more pictures. Recently an active topic started up in the Lounge where we got down to what constitutes a copyrighted image and what kind of images are allowed on the site. If you haven’t seen that topic or would like to read it again, it can be found here. Mentioned in that topic is that Google Ad Sense has some certain rules regarding what images can be allowed when shared with a Google Ad on the same page. If you click through our pages, you most likely will see a Google Ad at the top or bottom of the page. This helps create the revenue to keep the site free. Google Ad Sense rules are what we, the Administrators of the Site, have used as guidelines to protect our ability to use their program. They are: Not allowed: Nudity Strategically covered nudity (eg: arms and legs covering genitals or breasts) Sheer or see-through clothing Lewd or provocative poses Close-ups of breasts (women), buttocks, or crotches Partially clothed underage persons (below 18 years of age) There will always be images that push those boundaries, and we, as a site, will now be more proactive in monitoring these basic rules. These will be for images posted to our galleries, images in member Avatars, Blogs, and also but not least, images linked in stories or topics. We included the last rule because as a site we strongly discourage minors from posting images of themselves. This is a basic internet safety precaution and we will continue to stress this. These images won’t be banned, but we ask that underage members take into consideration their own personal internet safety by not posting searchable images of themselves or friends who haven’t given permission for their image to be on site. Going forward, you will be notified of these rules when uploading pictures in the Gallery and on your profile for your avatar. The no links rule will be upon the individual members to police themselves and, if reported, the Forum Moderation Team will investigate. In the past the FMT hasn't really leveled warnings as there was a grey line on what was allowed. Hopefully with these clearer rules, we won't have to investigate more because members will understand our reasoning and adhere to the rules. Please also understand that we know you can turn on any major sports channel and see male divers/swimmers in their ever revealing speedos, but this does not constitute what normal dress is. If you want to post a picture of shirtless male, we don't want to see him in either his underwear or his speedos.

Please join us in welcoming Aditus to the ranks of Promising Authors on GA! Aditus has several stories to his name, including a novel, a series of shorts, and a lot of prompt responses for readers to enjoy. He's also part of our Author Promotion team--giving back to the site and volunteering his time to uphold our quest for quality fiction on the site. Please take a few moments to congratulate Aditus on his promotion--then go hit up some of his stories and leave him a review!

We've been having the Reader's choice awards since 2006. I thought it would interesting to take a look at past winners, so Wildone put together this list. Keep in mind that over the years the award categories have changed -- so here it is -- the 2006 to 2010 Reader's Choice Award Recap Best Hosted Story: 2006: Desert Dropping by Dom Luca 2007: Living in Surreality by Shadowgod 2008: How The Light Gets In by Ducan Ryder 2009: Bloodlines by Mark Arbour 2010: Millennium by Mark Arbour Best Shared/Promising Story 2006: Loving You, Loving Me by Formosa 2007: Jumping Over My Mountain by Tiffnay Chin (tied) 2007: Roomates by Krista (tied) 2008: Buy Me A Drink by AFriendlyFace 2009: Dangerous Liaisons by Nephylim 2010: Escaping The Pain by Cia Best eFiction/GA Story 2006: For The Love by C James 2007: Everybody’s Wounded by Duncan Ryder 2008: It Started With Brian by Dan Kinkaid, co-authored by Adam Phillips 2009: The Price of Honor by Cia 2010: Second Shot by Quonus 10 Best Anthology Story 2006: Days of Silence by Viv 2007: Category 5 by C James 2008: Street Life by Graeme 2009: It Was A Monday by Lugh 2010: A Chance Encounter by Jian Sierra (tie) 2010: The Search for Pandora by Graeme (tie) Best Poem 2006: I’ No More by Luc 2007: Who Am I? by Menzoberranzen 2008: Black Light by Corvus 2009: I Saw His Face by AFriendlyFace 2010: A Place Not Far by MikeL (3 way tie) 2010: Consider Arbitrary by Bugeye (3 way tie) 2010: The Greatest Sadness by Bugeye (3 way tie) Best Non-GA Story 2006: New Brother by Graeme at Awesomedude 2007: Heart of the Tree by Graeme at Awesomedude 2008: The Price of Friendship by Graeme at Awesomedude 2009: The Scrolls of Icaria by Jamie de Valen at Awesomedude 2010: The Scrolls of Icaria by Jamie de Valen at Awesomedude Best Story by a New Anthology Author 2007: What I’ve Done by L0st Cause (aka Meeko) 2008: If No One Notices by AFriendlyFace 2009: Curved Balls by Nephylim 2010: Sorry Mom by Duncan Ryder Best eFiction/GA Story by a New Author 2006: For The Love by C James 2007: Everybody’s Wounded by Duncan Ryder 2008: In Due Time by J_Ross 2009: The Price of Honor by Cia 2010: Second Shot by Quonus10 Best Antagonist/Villain (From All Stories) 2006: Aaron in Desert Dropping by Dom Luka 2007: David Martin in The Other Side of Me by Dom Luka 2008: Travis in In The Fishbowl by Dom Luka 2009: Neil in Man In Motion by Mark Arbour 2010: Bridget in Circumnavigation by C James Best Protagonist/Hero (From All Stories) 2006: Rory Norick in Desert Dropping by Dom Luka 2007: Justin in Gone From Daylight by Comicality 2008: Taylor in Hello, Stupid by Dom Luka 2009: Travis in In The Fish Bowl by Dom Luka 2010: Trevor in Circumnavigation by C James King/Queen of Evil Cliffhangers 2007: C James 2008: Mark Arbour 2009: C James 2010: C James Best Supporting Character From a Hosted Author 2006: Luke in Desert Dropping by Dom Luka Best Supporting Character From a Shared Author 2006: Storm in Jumping Over My Mountain by Tiffani Chin Best Protagonist/Hero From a Shared Author 2006: Dave in Loving You, Loving Me by Formosa Best Antagonist/Villain From a Shared Author 2006: Martin in Bad Seed by Empathy Best Protagonist/Main Character From an eFiction/GA Stories Author 2006: Steve in For The Love by C James Best Antagonist/Villain From an eFiction/GA Stories Author 2006: Eric in For The Love by C James Best Supporting Character From an eFiction/GA Stories Author 2006: Nicky in Indefensible by AFriendlyFace Best Protagonist/Hero From an Anthology Entry 2006: Jess in Once Upon A Blizzard by Ieshwar Best Antagonist/Villain From an Anthology Entry 2006: The Muse in The Muse by C James Best Supporting Character From an Anthology Entry 2006: Lucas in This Time Will Be Different by Bardeara Best Spring Anthology Entry 2006: Days of Silence by Viv Best Summer Anthology Entry 2006: No Shirt? No Problem! by C James Best Fall Anthology Entry 2006: Trick or Treat? by Graeme Best Winter Anthology Entry 2006: Right Up Until The Very End by Bardeara Favourite Family Member From a GA Story 2006: Grandma Alice in Desert Dropping by Dom Luka Best Boyfriend in a GA Story 2006: Seth Fisher in Desert Dropping by Dom Luka Most Romantic Scene in a GA Story 2006: ‘I Wrote My Number in Your Dirt’ in Desert Dropping by Dom Luka Funniest Moment in a GA Story 2006: ‘Connor Meeting Tatyana’ in Someday Out of The Blue by Little Buddha Most Anticipated Couple in a GA Story 2006: Nelson Larmont/Milo Trust in With Trust by Dom Luka Best Short Story 2006: Valentine’s Day Goes To the Dog by Dom Luka Best Cast Ensemble in a Gay Story 2006: Desert Dropping by Dom Luka Best Protagonist/Main Character in a Non GA Story 2006: Kayden in Kayden and Zac by Ryan Keith at The Mail Crew Best Supporting Character From a Non GA Story 2006: Adam in New Brother by Graeme at Awesomedude Most Moving Poem on GA 2006: Stone by Birsdsofafeather Poem with the Best Imagery on GA 2006: Tell No Secrets by Lugh

Book clubs have had a long and storied history - providing both social interaction for the members as well as providing a forum for discussion of books/stories that might otherwise have not received as much attention. Cia recently came up with the idea for a GA Book Club and the rest of us here at the GayAuthors.org News Blog thought it was a fantastic idea. Here's an initial idea of how this would work, as well as the focus for our first month's choice - Nephylim's Memories of Forgotten Love. So with that - here's Cia and the launch of GA's CSR Book Club! GA's CSR Book Club We have a fun new idea for the New Year for the Gay Authors News Blog! It's a new system for the wonderful story features that I have dubbed CSR ... Can't Stop Reading. That's right! We're going to have a book club. The first Monday of the month we will announce the chosen selection of a completed story here on GA, typically between the 20-90k range. You then have until the last Monday of the month to read the story. The last week we will host a discussion of the story in the weekly blog. We might offer up some questions for readers, or a lengthy review by a participant ... something to get the ball rolling on the discussion. Of course, if you don't finish in time to take part, and you want to avoid spoilers, you can always leave the author your thoughts in a review in GA Stories. "Wait!" you say. "What about the regular review set up?" Don't worry, other than the first and last Mondays, we will still be sharing regular in-depth reviews provided by the lovely readers here on GA (nudge nudge, we can always use more of these!). "How are the stories chosen?" you ask. "Don't we get a say?" Well, this time I chose the story, one of my favorites by Nephylim. I know, I know, autocratic of me, but it's really a great story that I think many readers will enjoy! Starting next month, you will get to help pick the story. We'll have a system set up on the discussion day so that members can let us know what they'd like to read next. So that's it ... not a big change, but one that I hope will help readers connect with each other and authors they know and love, or might not know at all! You can find the information on this month's selection below along with a link to the story that will also be pinned this week, as well as the discussion week. There will be a reminder link each weekend in the Weekly Wrap Up too! I really hope members will join in and enjoy this new program designed to enrich the GA community. Memories of Forgotten Love by Nephylim Length: 48,733 Rating: Teen Description: Noah wakes from a coma to find that he has no memory, none at all. As he slowly comes back to life, learning to walk and talk, being introduced to family and friend who are all strangers to him, he begins to realize that something is wrong with the picture he is being presented with, very wrong. Some thoughts from a reader: "This is a fascinating story that explores the true meaning of strength, and the reality of weakness of character in supposedly strong individuals who hide behind a show of strength to cover up their own weakness." - Stephen Discussion Date: 1/28/13

So - the format for Toss-up Tuesday is... a toss up /ducking But then again, so is life. (ya, I should write greeting cards, eh?) You go along, having a great year, husband and kids busy with work, school and baseball. Your days are watching their games and practices or working on campaigns and convention plans. Then you go in for a routine follow-up, because of the lymphoma that you kicked four years ago. And on that July 5, 2012 day, instead of "See you in six months", I get "It's back." Now, unlike last time, the lymphoma is so "indolent" that it hasn't changed my blood counts (last time, my red cells were non-existent because my overproduced white cells were crowding them out). And in the four years since, they've come out with two new great drugs - Treanda and Velcade. So the next Monday, July 10, I started on Treanda. I get the chemo as an outpatient every three weeks for three days. Day one is about 5 hours, with an infusion of Rituxan (which I had last time and isn't really a chemo drug, more gets your body ready for the chemo drug). Then the 2nd and 3rd days, I get the Treanda over two hours. That first week, it was Monday Rituxan and Tues and Wed, Treanda. That first treatment, not only did I head from the outpatient infusion directly into work, on Thursday, I flew to Charlotte to check it out for our delegation. Two 14 hour days, followed by a flight back to California, day in Disneyland and then staffing a contentious endorsement meeting between two sitting Congressmen. And got through it with no problem. It was really remarkable how my schedule went for the next couple of months - the every three weeks went right on schedule, and still let me do everything I needed for work such as an Executive Board meeting, 10 days in Charlotte for the Convention itself, and various other projects and trips. I did get an occasional mild nausea or fatigue, but compared to four years ago when I was totally on disability and out of work for 13 months, this time hasn't been bad. To try to get it more aggressively, we did add Velcade to the mix and I have been getting more side-effects with this drug, but still overall doing well. So - could be moping and depressed, or could be thankful that they know sooooo much more about my particular type of lymphoma (Mantle Cell Lymphoma or MCL, one of the rarest of lymphomas - lucky me). And with gentle pushes from a loving partner, as well as a private Facebook community of others going through MCL in various stages, I'm actually taking this really well (mentally). It's interesting when someone just finds out, as did one woman at work in late august who asked "So, are you waiting until after the National Convention to start treatment, and was shocked to hear I've been doing chemo for over 6 weeks at that point, including a session the day before she had asked me. But it's also been awkward when someone goes "You look great - lost some weight? How'd you do it?" and my instinct is to answer "Oh, the lymphoma's back". Weight loss isn't drastic - down to 210 (from a high of 230 at the beginning of the year - I blame holiday foods). So, I figured I might make a post about this at some point, and now seems appropriate. Because going back to the title, a lot of life is just perspectives. We've had some great discussions here about criticism and authors. And I can see a lot of very good points - between that the criticism is needed to keep this a place of quality writing, to the fact that some of the talent we have here is great but very raw - and sometimes the misspoken harsh word in public can cause shame or discomfort and any of a variety of feelings of rejection. And since we are not ONLY a community of quality writing, but also a COMMUNITY of LGBT persons and their friends and supporters, it would also prove beneficial to remember to keep in mind that there is a person on the other side of that screen, that these are not writings or posts by nameless/faceless automatons. Heh - at work, I frequently get emails that are shouting diatribes, and when I calmly send an answer back on what happened, usually get a "Oh - I'm so sorry, I thought this was just an automated service and no one would ever reply". Someone else pointed out a lot of it is "tone" - and it is. But some of it is patience as well. And lord knows, I am guilty myself. I recently loved a first chapter of a story, and dutifully posted a review, but in addition to commenting on what I liked, did I really need to point out that there were two typos in the chapter - that all future reviewers could then see. Just as easy to take an extra twenty seconds and put that part in a private message to the author. Or I could have phrased it better... A good sarcastic rant may feel good to get out of the system, but is it always really worth it? Just my thoughts at 1:30 in the morning with a new chemo session in eight hours. But to me, worth it, as I really love this community, heroes, warts and everything in between. it's why I eagerly took on the role of "Member Advocate" for the site when Myr needed additional help, and though at first I was skeptical about being the GayAuthors News Blog person when Lugh and Myr asked me to, now I am glad as it helped re-connect me with a lot of GA that I was missing and lets me read so many great reviews (and the stories that got reviewed), as well as all of the other information we feature here. I hope you enjoy this blog and consider some of what I've said. Trebs (aka Robert)

GA Authors have achieved posting 100 Million words in Stories!! Congratulations, Authors, on all your hard work to make GA a wonderful place for fellow authors and readers! To celebrate this event, we're going to run two contests. I'll post links to both, as they will be in the site Lounge forum, and that is where you can enter one or both contests. Contest #1: One month FREE Premium membership Contest #2: One $5 Amazon Gift Card *Contest will run from the time the topics open until Saturday, December 20th, at 7 PM, Pacific time. The winners will be announced on the Weekly Wrap Up! site blog that goes live on Sunday. Winners will be chosen by drawing through Random.org* FYI... as another awesome achievement, we've now had 100,000 reviews written on those stories!