Trying Times and Scattered Thoughts. This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Trying Times and Scattered Thoughts

This week I’m still trying to wrap my head around several thoughts this week, none of which is actually coming together into an cohesive post.   That’s the impact of all the events of the last week is having on me I guess.

Without even knowing the people involved, I’m hurting for them.  And our LGBTQIA  community.  I don’t know why I would think that the harm to the  community would always come from outside. Several times that’s proven not to be the case.  Santino Hassell is not the first case of catfishing, but  he has also hurt others in far worse ways.  That story is still unraveling.

Then there is the deeply disturbing events that lead to Riptide Publishing cutting all ties to  Sarah Lyon, ex Editoral Director, and Kate DeGroot, ex freelance editor and regrouping.  So many elements there to occupy my mind, but floating to the top have been things like “POC can’t be on book covers because they won’t sell. ”  And the obvious racism that existed at every corner there for some personnel/authors.  In an age of diversity, when we are talking about Quiltbag fiction…how can we still be facing such blatant racism?

Any why was it allowed to continue?

I get the power imbalance.  How could any of those authors speak up?  It would  cost them their stories and perhaps their livelihood. Or the artists who design covers they authors get to choose from.  I bet they got the message loud and clear to begin with. But truly?  Now, here?  Isn’t it time for us to be done with this?

But then I started to look through all the stories, catalogs, tons of covers…and noticed a dearth of yes, POC.  I began to wonder….are there more people like Sarah out there  telling artists and authors in our community …”don’t put POC on the cover, it won’t sell…”.  What an insidious, mean, racist sentence.  Guaranteed to make someone without power stop and think, and perhaps pull back.

I think it’s becoming clear..yes racism is with us…even in the LGBTQIA community.  We just need to choose to recognize it.  And then deal with it in a positive manner.  Help support those authors and publishers going forward towards  diversity across the spectrum in every way.

What are your thoughts on this and this whole sorry week.  Mine clearly are still coming together….

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, March 18:

• This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, March 19:

• DSP Promo Sarah Black on American Road Trip
• BLITZ Tomboy by Janelle Reston
• Livingston (Trenton Security #1) by J.M. Dabney Release Day Blog
• A MelanieM Review:Livingston (Trenton Security #1) by J.M. Dabney
• A Stella Review One Under by JL Merrow
• An Alisa Review: No Rulebook for Flirting by Laura Bailo

Tuesday, March 20:

• Blog Tour Jace’s Trial by JM Wolf
• BLITZ The Moth and Moon by Glenn Quigley
• TOUR Cutie Pies by Barbara Bell
• A MelanieM Review:  Mage of Inconvenience by Parker Foye
• An Alisa Review: Captive Hearts (Deviant Hearts #1) by A E Ryecart
• A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: A Wild Ride (The Bullriders #1) by Andrew Grey and John Solo (Narrator)

Wednesday, March 21:

• DSP Promo Julia Talbot
• BLITZ The Vampire’s Angel by Damian Serbu
• Release Blitz – Breaking the Rules by C.J. Lynne
• A Caryn Review The Weekend Bucket List by Mia Kerick
• An Alisa Review: The Paramedic Who Hated Jazz by Stephani Hecht
• A Stella Review: Jace’s Trial (Trials in Abingdon #1) by J.M. Wolf (

Thursday, March 22:

• DSP Promo S.E. Harmon
• TOUR The Vampire’s Angel by Damian Serbu
• RELEASE DAY BLITZ Moon Illusion by Michelle Osgood
• An Ali Review: ​​​​Oskar Blows a Gasket​ by Al Stewart​
• A MelanieM Review: Partner with Benefits (Kolar Creek Tales) by Val Francis
• A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: How to Bang a Billionaire (Arden St. Ives #1) by Alexis Hall and Joel Leslie (Narrator)

Friday, March 23:

• DSP PROMO SJD Peterson on Going Of Grid
• Release Day Blitz for Leaning into the Look by Lane Hayes
• Tour and Giveaway: One Under by JL Merrow
• A Lila Release Day Review:   Going Off Grid by SJD Peterson
• A MelanieM Review: One Under by JL Merrow
• An Alisa Audiobook Review: Permanent Ink (Art & Soul #1) by Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn /Kirt Graves (Narrator)

Saturday, March 24:

• A MelanieM Review: Murder Takes the High Road by Josh Lanyon