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A Couple of Guys

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Summary: A Couple of Guys follows the adventures of actor Eric and cop Joey and the colorful characters who inhabit their lives - from Marty, Eric's shock-jock brother-in-law to Matisse, the gay dog. Lesbian neighbors Sue and Simone are an active part of the strip, as is successful hairdresser David and his boyfriend Miguel. The art is top-notch, the humor is punchy, and every strip works both individually and as a part of an ongoing storyline.

Creator: Dave Brousseau, a native of Louisville, Ky., attended Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he earned a BA in Fine Arts. While there, he drew a weekly comic strip "Guy Average, Average Guy" which featured a campus radio deejay named Marty Dinkleman and his girlfriend Mary Ann Parker. They were reincarnated in 1996, when Dave created " A Couple of Guys." Dave's hobbies include drawing, solving crossword puzzles and reading art history books. His influences include Edward Hopper, Thomas Hart Benton, Al Capp, Chester Gould, Charles Addams, Norman Rockwell, E.C. Segar, John Steinbeck, Alfred Hitchcock and George Bellows among others. While the characters in A Couple of Guys are not based on real figures, many of the situations are reflections of the experiences of Dave and his friends. He can be reached at acoupleofguys@qsyndicate.com.

Specifications: Six-panel weekly strip, available in both horizontal and vertical formats, in both color and grayscale, provided electronically as a JPEG.

What they're saying:

"A Couple of Guys ranks at the top of my list along with Calvin and Hobbs, The Far Side and Bloom County. Dave when is the book coming out?
A reader in Indianapolis

"I just love reading the strip. Wish it was a daily instead of a weekly."
A reader in California

"I am a gay parent living in the suburbs. My partner and I have been together since 1990. We were foster parents for 10 years and adopted three brothers in 2000. Needless to say we don't get out much and spend most of our time with our kids and our straight neighbors. I am very glad to be able to read your comic as it often reminds me of situation we have gone through. It is always great to be reminded of the gay sensibility and sense of humor."
A reader in Baltimore

Bitter Girl

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Summary: It's "Sex and the City" meets "Cathy" - for dykes. Bitter Girl is a hip, crankily funny serial about lesbian singlehood in the big city. From dating jitters to playing avoid-the-ex, comic Joan Hilty's star character Jessica Lincoln and her friends capture city-girl living at its best - and worst. Hilty's lofty history in publications such as The Advocate and Village Voice, combined with her real-life stories of being a "bitter girl" in New York City make for week after week of a hilarious (and bitchy) search for affection and connection.

Creator: Joan Hility's cartoons and illustration have appeared in The Village Voice, The Advocate, Ms., Girljock Magazine, Gay Comix among others. Originally from Northern California, Joan trained as an artist at Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design. She now lives in New York City where she collects stories of love and loss in the big city from wonderfully bitter friends and her own faulty memory. The cast of "Bitter Girl" is, of course, entirely fictional. She can be reached at BitterGirl@qsyndicate.com.

Specifications: Grayscale, distributed weekly in either horizontal or vertical format (4 panels across) or windowpane (2-over-2) format.

What they're saying:

"Joan Hility's serial cartoon Bitter Girl can seem so true to life that you might wonder whether she has been secretly taking notes over you shoulder."
Curve Magazine

"It's hilarious, uplifting and unabashedly human. Every lesbian/bi girl goes through what you've written in your strips. We've all had those conversations and if we haven't we're about too."
A reader in cyberspace

"I love and am addicted to the strip"
A reader in cyberspace.

Bookmarks

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Summary: No one has time to read every LGBT book release - but thankfully, Richard Labonte is here to help sort the good from the ones that should never make it to the bookshelf. A gay literature connoisseur and ex-bookstore owner, Labonte writes four 175-word biweekly reviews that cover the best of LGBT books. A sure-fire pleaser for every reader, the reviews run the gamut from transgender, gay and lesbian fiction to erotica and up-and-coming authors. Plus, each feature comes with Footnotes, with up-to--the-minute news of the world of LGBT books.

Creator: After working with A Different Light Bookstore in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York from 1979 - 2001, Richard Labonte moved home to Canada, where he divides his time between a communal farm near Calabogie, Ontario and the rural town of Perth, Ontario. He shares both with his partner of 12 years (and now his husband), Asa Liles. He reads many books, writing about some of them for Book Marks and he has edited the Best Gay Erotica series for Cleis Press since 1997. He can be reached at BookMarks@qsyndicate.com.

Specifications: Four 175-word book reviews, biweekly.

Special Features: At least one cover image with each installment, plus a featured book excerpt and a special section of publishing insider news called "Footnotes."

What they're saying:

"(Richard Labonte is) one of the most insightful, perceptive and all-around brilliant reviewers we have."
Don Weise, editor, Carroll & Graf

Richard LaBonte is one of the few- I can't think of another, but I'm allowing the possibility - intelligent people writing about "gay literature."
John Rechy, author of the classic novel City of Night.

"Richard LaBonte is a legend in gay publishing."
Dan Cullinane, Alyson Publications

Cocktail Chatter

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Summary: Cocktail Chatter covers many aspects of cocktail culture, with a focus on education and humor. Columns include personal anecdotes, recipe history and creation, explanation of spirits and drink categories, cocktail-related books, bar and club culture, drink trends, and other aspects of the barhopping lifestyle. Cheers.

Creator: Ed Sikov:Born in 1957 in Natrona Heights, PA, Ed Sikov is a 1974 graduate of Highlands High School, where he was a maladjusted loner. Escaping from his misery, Ed plunged into more of the same as a disaffected, alienated student at tiny Haverford College, where he majored in English and spent a lot of time by himself. He graduated in 1979, moved to New York, came out of the closet, got happy, and went to film school. He earned a Ph.D. in film studies in 1986 from Columbia University. He is the author of six books, has contributed essays to several gay-themed anthologies, and his work has appeared in such diverse publications as Premiere, Architectural Digest, Film Quarterly, the Village Voice, the Air Force Academy's literary journal, and the Brazilian edition of Cosmopolitan.

Specifications: 500 words, bi-weekly

Recommended Placement: Bar or entertainment sections

Cost to Publications: No Charge - underwritten by Absolut Vodka. The publications are not required to acknowledge Absolut's sponsorship.

Creep of the Week

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Summary: With so many enemies to the LGBT community, who could choose just one? Sarcastic and hilarious columnist D'Anne Witkowski tells readers who to direct their hate at each week with "Creep of the Week." This column spares no one, targeting everyone from homophobic evangelicals to lying politicians and even the occasional group who tries to boycott a gay-friendly business or blame LGBTs for natural disasters. Witkowski's biting commentary is sure to bring readers back each week to see who made it to the top of the LGBT shit list.

Creator: D'Anne Witkowski has been gay for pay since 2003. She's a freelance writer and poet (believe it!). When she's not taking on the creeps of the world she reviews rock and roll shows in Detroit with her twin sister and teaches writing at the University of Michigan. She also had an illustrious, albeit brief career in stand-up comedy.

Specifications: 700 words weekly with photo if available.

Deep Inside Hollywood

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Summary: Forget Perez, Romeo San Vicente is the go-to gay for accurate insider info when it comes to the stars, film and the tube as it relates to a queer audience. With previews of gay-related projects, and breaking tid-bits on Tinsletown happenings - and just a dash of gossip - Q Syndicate's most popular column takes you deeper than you've ever been. Well, maybe.

Creator: Romeo San Vicente has extensive experience in Hollywood as a writer, producer and homosexual. His friends have the ability to make or break you budding career, so be nice to him. He can be reached at DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com

Specifications: 500 words weekly

Special Features: Comes with a photo of a celebrity mentioned in the installment.

What they're saying:

"I love your column, been reading it for months on Planet Out. The best lookout on the queer movie scene, bar none. Thank you for keeping your ear so close to the ground."
"Just wanted to thank you for your amazing support of our work. Love your column.
Craig Zadan, co-producer (with Neil Meron), The Reagans and Its All Relative.

Editorial Cartoon

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Summary: Often funny and always relevant, the editorial cartoons of Paul Berge cover a broad variety of topics in gay and lesbian news, politics and culture. Berge, who has been drawing editorial cartoons for over 30 years, is a seasoned veteran whose weekly feature is a terrific way to liven up an editorial or op-ed page.

Creator: Paul Berge has been drawing editorial cartoons since 1977. He has drawn cartoons for or had them appear in the Racine Journal Times, The Kenosha Tribune, The Business Journal (Milwaukee) and various other papers. He currently works as the secretary of Emmaus Lutheran Church, Racine and as the organist at Lutheran Church of Redeemer, Racine. He can be reached at EditorialCartoon@qsyndicate.com.

Specifications: A hi-res and lo-res JPEG every week.

What they're saying:

"I think Paul Berge is one of the most gifted editorial cartoonists I've ever encountered. His cartoons are timely, they're often funny, they're very clever when they're not funny, they make their point … he's a magnificent editorial cartoonist."
Randy Shulman, publisher, MW (Washington, DC)

Kudos to Paul Berge for being a fantastic cartoonist! The latest one about marriage vs. civil unions is the best ever. We sent a copy to a lot of people who don't have access to the (Seattle Gay News). It is brilliant.
A reader in Seattle

Hear Me Out

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Summary: With an ear for everything queer - which includes being an unflappable fan (sometimes, victim) of Top-40, folkie lesbians and Fall Out Boy (that's a genre, right?) - Hear Me Out is the quintessential guide for every LGBT music whore. Or those who still haven't heard that Clay Aiken is gay. Written with zippy flare and sass galore, the biweekly column offers reviews of current releases spanning a smorgasbord of styles, digging for the gayety in just about any genre - pop, folk, country, rock, indie, cute-straight-boys-who-gays-lust-over, dance and divas.

Specifications: 650 -700 words biweekly.

Special Features: Comes with images of the disc covers and/or performers featured with each installment.

Creator: Chris Azzopardi has been the entertainment editor of Between The Lines, Michigan's LGBT newspaper, since April 2007. His work has been featured in several gay publications, including Florida's Watermark, Chicago's Windy City Times and HX in New York. He's also a contributor to Out magazine's pop culture blog, Popnography. Reach him at chris@pridesource.com.

The Outfield

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Summary: Who says gays don't dig sports? Acclaimed writer Dan Woog, in his biweekly column, breaks the stereotype with his candid queer athlete features, current controversies and sporting events like the Gay Games. Whether Woog is being direct, serious or even funny, one thing's for sure: He constantly presents a tantalizing look into the ever-growing world of LGBT sports.

Creator: Dan Woog is a journalist, educator, soccer coach and gay activist. He is the author of 15 books, including two collections of his most popular newspaper columns. His most recent work, Jocks 2: Coming Out to Play (Alyson, 2002), explores the lives of gay male athletes across America. It is the sequel to Jocks: True Stories of America's Gay Male Athletes (Alyson, 1998), which opened the door to the last closet in this country - the locker room. His articles and essays have appeared in the New York Times, Sports Illustrated and USA Today. A former contributing writer for the Advocate magazine, he wrote on such topics as marriage and monogamy in the gay world and issues surrounding gay youth. He is the openly gay varsity soccer coach at Staples High School in Westport, Conn. and a member of the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame. He can be reached at OutField@qsyndicate.com

Specifications: 800 words biweekly accompanied by a photo.

What they're saying:
"Jock's challenges the perceptions and stereotypes still held by millions of Americans. Whether they know it or not, whether they like it or not, a new day is coming, moving us closer to the day when people are regarded as individuals rather than members of groups."
Bob Costas, NBC Sports

Out of Town

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Summary: Vacations are supposed to be chill, but if you're left trying to figure out where to stay (without worrying about bed bugs), eat, party and what to sight-see (without wandering into an ominous alley), prominent travel writer Andrew Collins can make that gay getaway a cinch. And so can this column when it comes to ad revenue. Just think of all the sales from travel agents and airlines.

Creator: With nearly 15 years of experience as a travel journalist, Andrew Collins has written, updated, edited or copyedited more than 130 books for Fodor's Travel Publications, the world's largest line of English-language travel guides. He conceived of, authored, and regularly updates Fodor's Gay Guide to the USA, for which he received the 1996 Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism bronze award from the Society of American Travel Writers in the category of "best guide book." He has penned six additional gay guides for Fodor's. When he isn't traveling, which isn't often, he resides in Portland, Oregon. He can be reached at OutofTown@qsyndicate.com.

Specifications: 1200 words monthly.

Special Features: Each column comes with a color photo and handy "Little Black Book" with the most important addresses and phone numbers for destinations.

Q Puzzle

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Summary: Superbly crafted and with a wide variety of subjects, Q Puzzles combine fun, humor and gay issues in a challenging crossword puzzle. Plus, there's an ad sales bonus: Running the puzzle each week and the answers the following week gives advertisers added exposure, and publications the extra incentive for making a sale. Top-rated topics have included lesbian golfing, trans-themed movies and "Auto Erotic," a sexy take on car parts.

Creator: Q Puzzles are unbylined and are designed by a highly experienced crossword puzzle professional.

Specifications: A new 15 x 15 crossword every week.

What they're saying:

"We have advertisers that beg to be placed opposite the crossword puzzle. They see that as the first place that people turn to in our publication."
Steve Elkins, editor, Letters from CAMP Rehoboth

Q Scopes

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Summary: Is it time to live out that gay fantasy? Leave it to pro astrologer Jack Fertig to let you know while he dishes out guidance specifically targeted at LGBT readers. A must-have for any publication, these expertly written readings will give your audience the insight they've been looking for.

Creator: Jack Fertig began study of astrology in 1969 and came out in 1970. A student of Doris Chase Doane and Jayj Jacobs, Jack has been working as a professional astrologer since 1977, has long been active in professional association and is a founding member of the Association For Astrological Networking. His column has appeared for many years in the San Francisco gay press and he has written for other magazines including American Astrology, Drummer and Bear. He lives in San Francisco with his life partner Elias Trevino, travels extensively and lectures for professional and lay groups. Jack is available for lectures, classes, personal and business consultations and can be reached by phone at 415-864-8302 and by e-mail at Qscopes@qsyndicate.com. His Web site is at www.jackstar.com.

Specifications: 600 words weekly, including highlights of the week ahead and Sun Signs for everyone.

Queeries

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Summary: An advice column for gays - and straights? That's right. Steven Petrow, author of The Essential Book of Gay Manners and Etiquette, is dishing advice on a hodgepodge of topics - including coming out, "sexting" and homophobia - to us and our allies in Q Syndicate's latest column, "Queeries." Petrow, also the former National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association president, offers thorough feedback with insightful, sometimes anecdotal answers. "Queeries" will be available once a month.

Creator: Author Steven Petrow's new column offers advice to LGBT people on gay manners. Petrow, the former president of the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association and the author of "The Essential Guide to Gay Manners & Etiquette" (HarperCollins), covers topics from coming out ("Outed by my brother"), the rules of dating ("Dating a closet case"), sex ("Beware of sexting") planning a same-sex commitment ceremony ("Who pays for the rings"), bringing baby on board ("Who's the real mommy"), confronting homophobia ("Anti-gay jokes: No laughing matter"), and much more.

Specifications: 750 words, monthly

What they're saying:

Early feedback has been very positive! "Thank You. Practical advice for questions that we have ALL pondered Harmony can be achieved through the education of social topics. Again, I thank you."
"I appreciate being informed. Public discourse needs to be more candid."
"Thank GOD I found this article before I went on that date tonight."
This column is sure to have readers asking when is the next "Queeries" being published? It informs, provokes and asks the questions on readers' minds today.

LGBT Photography

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