Tag Archives: LGBTQ

‘Christmas in July’ Book Review Blitz & Giveaway

July 5, 2016 A.V. Sanders 1 Comment

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4-image Can you hear the carols being sung, see the stockings being hung, feel the sun beating down on you hotter and HOTTER?

No? Well, even if you don’t live on our beautiful planet’s southern hemisphere, now you can get into the summertime Christmas spirit during my Christmas in July Book Review Blitz & Giveaway!

This is a fun & casual event that will take place the entire month of July! “WET, HOT, AUSTRALIAN CHRISTMAS“, my holiday-themed contemporary gay romance novelette, is the story being featured and reviewed throughout July at all of the lovely blogs below!

Sharing Links and Wisdom is kicking-off Christmas in July with the first review and opportunity to enter the giveaway! As the other blog’s buttons above become clickable, you can enter the giveaway & go check out their reviews of “WET, HOT, AUSTRALIAN CHRISTMAS“!

Reviéw, Go! Catch ’em all! ;D // Sharing Links and Wisdom // Diverse Reader // Just Love Romance // Bike Book Reviews // MM Good Book Reviews // GGR & Friends Reviews

The Giveaway! I am giving away an e-copy of “WET, HOT, AUSTRALIAN CHRISTMAS“, “PERCOLATION, POETRY, AND PASSION“, and an e-ARC copy of my newest, yet to-be-released, title and first full-length novel, “MOLD RUSH“!

Good luck, enjoy, and I hope you are all having a wet, hot, and wicked summer! ❤ 4-image

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Hop For Visibility, Awareness & Equality

May 17, 2016 A.V. Sanders 9 Comments

Welcome to my stop on the Hop For Visibility, Awareness & Equality! (T HAPHOBIAUMBRELLA2016 his great LGBTQ+ literary event’s former name was the Hop Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia)

Included in this year’s Hop are my reflections on the 2016 IDAHOT theme of mental health and well-being, and a GIVEAWAY for FREE ebooks, limited edition FREE2LUV® wristbands, and a FREE2LUV® t-shirt! This giveaway is over. Thank you to all who entered and participated!

In honor of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOT), the mission of the Hop For Visibility, Awareness, and Equality is to bring awareness to discrimination and celebrate our diversity, not only within the LGBTQIA+ community, but within our own literary genre and books.

IDAHOT is the largest LGBTQ+ solidarity event to take place throughout the globe with over 1,000 events in more than 120 countries. The 2016 global focus issue is mental health and well-being. I wanted to talk to you about my thoughts on well-being in this genre that I love.

As a writer, I guess you could say I do a fair amount of day dreaming. I have one bookmagic2 in particular that I like to visit. There’s a person sitting in a shadowy space, and they are reading one of my stories. They begin to smile, gently at first. Soon, a warm glow builds and grows, brighter and brighter, along with their smile. This beautiful, magical thing happens because this person, this gracious reader, has just seen themselves in a story — maybe for the first time.

The character they related to was a gay shark research scientist or an agender badass who’s fighting their way through the apocalypse. This reader, this beautiful, magical reader, saw a glimpse of themselves through my eyes, and they saw that they were brave, smart, sexy, exciting — and normal, totally normal.

Most of us can relate to that experience, wherein understanding a fictional character we actually end up learning more about ourselves. I think a big part of the human experience is finding where we “fit”, wherever that may mean to us individually. It’s amazing to think that, as a writer, your humble stories might actually have the opportunity to help a fellow traveler along their journey.

Which is why I take on the readerwellbeing responsibility of my reader’s well-being: I don’t know who will someday read my stories, or where their journeys have already taken them. For me, nothing is more important than representing marginalized groups through my work in the most respectful and responsible way possible. It’s not too much to ask. In fact, it’s truly my honor.

Whatever our community needs, I’ll be there meet it, evolving as a person and as an author. I know the power of words, how they can hurt — and also how they can heal. Writing LGBTQ+ literature gave meaning back to my life. Maybe, if I work hard, I can give just a little something back, too.

Thank you so much for reading and participating in this wonderful event! If you’re interested, here’s a link to my sadly and shamefully relevant article for last year’s Hop about transgender bathroom issues in my workplace

A.V. Sanders’ Rafflecopter GIVEAWAY May 17-24th:

Free ebook copy of “Percolation, Poetry, and Passion“ and “Wet, Hot, Australian Christmas“, by A.V. Sanders
2 Limited Edition FREE2LUV® empowerment wristbands
1 FREE2LUV® 100% cotton t-shirt

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❤ This giveaway is over. Thank you to all who entered and participated! This giveaway is for everyone — don’t worry if you already have my titles, you can still win the FREE2LUV® swag, and I’ll pass the ebooks on to another winner to enjoy! Please visit the rest of the 60+ Hop stops, and good luck in the GIVEAWAY! xo, A.V. ❤

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FREE2LUV® is a global movement dedicated to redefining love through arts and entertainment. We support youth to freely express themselves and stand up to bullying. As a nonprofit organization, we spread awareness and create cool merchandise to help end bullying and support equal rights. FRIENDS DON’T LET FRIENDS BULLY® is a national community program whose mission is to utilize music and art to promote kindness, build self-esteem and stand up to bullying.

Live Author Chat, Tonight!

March 31, 2016 A.V. Sanders Leave a comment

Happy International Trans Day of Visibility!

Join me tonight, Thursday, March 31st, from

10:00 – 11:00pm, PDT, GMT – 7

For a Live Author Chat at the Rainbow Gold Reviews 2nd Anniversary Facebook Bash!

Me and author Renae Kaye will be kicking off the 24 hour Marathon Chat event that will be full of PRIZES and talented people in our queer lit community from around the world!

I’ve donated free copies of “Percolation, Poetry, and Passion” and “Wet, Hot, Australian Christmas” to be added to their H U G E Prize Vault!

Hope to see you there during my chat, but jump in at any time, everyone is invited! ❤

Rainbow Gold Reviews is an LGBT Review Blog that will celebrate its 2 Year Anniversary with a huge 24 Hour Marathon Chat with a lot of awesome authors, cover designers, narrators, etc, who create the stories you love. You will be able to meet your favorite authors and ask all your burning questions as well as find new books and authors to check out.

There will also be prizes for everyone participating in the chats and the opportunity to vote for your favorite books and our reviewers will review your TOP 5 choices on our blog. Join the fun ♥

There are TONS of prizes, ranging from eBooks (including some advance copies), audiobooks, signed print copies (international shipping) to Skip and Pip Plushes!

“Wet, Hot, Australian Christmas” Raffle Round-Up

December 24, 2015 A.V. Sanders Leave a comment

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Each blog had its own giveaway for a free ebook copy of “WET, HOT, AUSTRALIAN CHRISTMAS” – and if you already owned it, any other Less Than Three Press e-title, of equal or lesser value. I also proudly offered a tour-wide GRAND PRIZE giveaway for an ebook and a handmade, genuine shark tooth necklace!

CongratsJulieS

❤ Thank you to all who participated, and congratulations to the winners! Check out the original guest posts on each blog! ❤ 4-image

WHACbutton — Click the blue snowflake Less Than Three Press banner above to get “Wet, Hot, Australian Christmas” NOW!

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Visit The Novel Approach to read an EXCLUSIVE excerpt from “WET, HOT, AUSTRALIAN CHRISTMAS”!

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Visit Carly’s Book Reviews to read about ‘Christmas Memories with Carly and A.V.’ as well as a review for “WET, HOT, AUSTRALIAN CHRISTMAS”! 4-image

Visit P rism Book Alliance to read the All About: SHARKS! guest post! 4-image Visit Bayou Book Junkie to read ‘On Location: Inspiration for the story in Perth, Australia’! 4-image

Double Day! Visit author RJ Jones’ Blog to read about the fight for marriage equality in Australia, and read a review of “WET, HOT, AUSTRALIAN CHRISTMAS” at Because Two Men Are Better Reviews! 4-image

Visit On Top Down Under Book Reviews to hear the story’s EDM and Christmas playlist! 4-image Visit Hearts on Fire Reviews for a Character Interview and a review of “WET, HOT, AUSTRALIAN CHRISTMAS”! snowflake-row

“Wet, Hot, Australian Christmas” Now available for PREORDER

September 29, 2015 A.V. Sanders Leave a comment

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I’m pleased to announce that my second contemporary gay romance is now available for PREORDER!

“WET, HOT, AUSTRALIAN CHRISTMAS” is a holiday-themed novelette, proudly published by Less Than Three Press, and scheduled to release December 16th, 2015!

Click the banner below to PREORDER “WET, HOT, AUSTRALIAN CHRISTMAS” NOW at a 15% discount!

“Reid, an American shark research scientist, is in Perth, Australia working to develop a mobile app that may revolutionize shark safety practices. But even the company of his boyfriend, Graham, isn’t enough to stave off homesickness as Christmas approaches, and a missing shark and Graham’s struggling business seem set to ruin the holiday for good.”

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Raffle Round-Up: “Percolation, Poetry, and Passion” Blog Tour

August 29, 2015 A.V. Sanders 1 Comment

Since “Percolation, Poetry, and Passion” released on August 26th, I have been having a blast touring some fantastic blogs gracious enough to host me!

Each blog stop had its own giveaway for a FREE ebook copy of “Percolation, Poetry, and Passion” – and if you already owned it, ANY other Less Than Three Press e-title, of equal or lesser value! I also proudly offered a tour-wide GRAND PIZE giveaway for an ebook AND Café Du Monde gift basket!

I appreciate each and every one of you who participated and my amazing hosting blogs–you do this author’s heart so much good! ❤ Line-Break

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Congratulations to Laurie P. for winning an ebook of “Percolation, Poetry, and Passion”! Click the banner above to visit The Novel Approach, and read an *exclusive* extended excerpt from the story!

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Click the banner above to visit Hearts on Fire Reviews, and read their author interview with A.V.!

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Click the banner to visit Sinfully…Addicted to All Male Romance, and check out guest post: “Stalk Simon’s Twitter”!

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Click the banner above to visit Love Bytes: Same Sex Reviews, listen to and read about the story playlist!

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Click the banner above to visit Bayou Book Junkie — check out the themed ‘Mardi Gras Parade’ stop and author interview!

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Click the banner above to visit Prism Book Alliance and see the REAL “Percolation Station”! Plus, see a video of what Beckett and Simon are watching on the book’s cover!!

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Click the banner above to visit Rainbow Gold Reviews, and check-out an interview between A.V. and a character from the story!

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Free2Luv’s “Love Wins” Essay Contest – Published and $1,000 Prize

July 21, 2015 A.V. Sanders 3 Comments

Talk about an amazing team-up! Free2Luv®, Lambda Literary, New Millennium Writings. and actress Thea Gill are coming together to host an amazing essay competition to celebrate the historic SCOTUS ruling!

New Millennium Writings (NMW), is an award-winning literary journal founded in 1996, and Free2Luv® is a Seattle-based youth empowerment nonprofit. By co-hosting this special “Love Wins” essay competition, they are asking entrants what the recent SCOTUS decision means to them and their community.

The winner will receive $1,000 and publication in the NMW anthology and on their website. Deadline to enter is August 31^st.

Over the past 20 years, New Millennium Writings has published more than 1,500 new and emerging writers and awarded over $200,000. In this competition, in addition to Free2Luv®, NMW is also partnering with Lambda Literary. Each nonprofit will receive $1,000 to further their missions to support and empower the LGBTQ community.

The “Love Wins” essay award winner will be chosen by Guest Judge and Free2Luv Celebrity Ambassador Thea Gill, actress, singer, and LGBTQ activist, best known for her starring role as Lindsay Peterson in the landmark Showtime television series Queer as Folk. ❤ Ms. Gill will choose the top winner from selected finalists, and the award will be announced on October 11th — National Coming Out Day.

“We are excited to team up with New Millennium Writings to offer an essay competition that celebrates all love. In light of the recent landmark SCOTUS decision, we are thrilled to read everyone’s interpretation of being Free2Luv. We are passionate about creating an environment where all youth can express themselves freely and authentically,” — Free2Luv Co-Founder and President, Tonya Sandis

Entries into the “Love Wins” essay competition must be 4,500 words or less. Entries may be submitted at www.newmillenniumwritings.org, or mailed to the address listed on the website. The entry fee is $20, and all entrants will receive a copy of NMW‘s high-quality anthology. More information about the “Love Wins” essay competition can be found at www.newmillenniumwritings.org, www.Free2Luv.org, and www.lambdaliterary.org

Good luck, everyone! Please help share this great competition for a great cause! ❤

Sneak Peek! Release Blog Tour, Special Stop

June 1, 2015 A.V. Sanders Leave a comment

I am excited to announce an event during my upcoming debut release blog tour for “PERCOLATION, POETRY, AND PASSION”!

On one special day of the tour, August 30th, my visit to Bayou Book Junkie will be transformed into a Mardi Gras-style parade stop!

There will be an exclusive:

– Themed Author Interview

– *Bonus* Genuine New Orleans Bead Throws GIVEAWAY!

Bayou Book Junkie, based out of New Orleans, Louisiana, is an LGBT-friendly blog that promotes and reviews M/M books. It also hosts authors, blog tours, teasers, cover reveals, and new releases.

This special stop is inspired by one of my main characters from the story, Beckett, who hails from NOLA. The blog tour for “PERCOLATION, POETRY, AND PASSION” begins on August 26th at The Novel Approach!

Hop Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia Giveaway!

May 16, 2015 A.V. Sanders 4 Comments

Welcome to participant #83’s Hop Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia awareness and giveaway! The giveaway winner has been chosen. Thank you for participating!

May 17th is International Day Against Homophobia, Transphoia, and Biphobia. As individuals, there are opportunities to make an immediate difference. The chance to promote tolerance can present itself when–and with people–you may least expect.

One personal example involved a very good friends of mine at that time. We were leaving the women’s restroom at our workplace, and she confided in me that she didn’t like that one of our coworkers, a trans woman, used “our bathroom”. My friend went on to say that she was going to tell our HR department that she thought our trans coworker should have to use the private, single stall, unisex restroom that was located in the different part of the building.

I was shocked.

I was shocked because I did not think my friend had these sorts of views and feelings. I thought that she was tolerant and accepting. I had been in the women’s restroom with our trans coworker many times without a second thought, so why was my friend having difficulty?

Sign at the San Diego Airport - photo: @CTinkX — Sign at the San Diego Airport photo: @CTinkX

My first instinct was anger. I wanted to yell at my friend and tell her how much she had disappointed and disgusted me. But, thankfully, I took a step back, and recognized the opportunity I had: she had not yet spoken to our HR department, and was voicing her concern–to me.

So, I asked her: what was it that bothered her about our coworker using the bathroom? What was she afraid of? She did not really have an answer, she just said it made her feel “uncomfortable”.

We talked further, discussing how uncomfortable our coworker might feel being told that she could not use the women’s or the men’s restroom, and that she would be the only employee at our facility forced to use the unisex stall. Eventually, my friend agreed this would send a negative message she hadn’t intended.

Rainbow Watercolor Heart - Olga Shvartsur — Rainbow Watercolor Heart – Olga Shvartsur

Our trans coworker continued to use the women’s restroom without her ever knowing this discussion had taken place.

The moral of my story is: speak up! If you know something is wrong, small or big, find your voice and say something. You may feel a strong urge to argue, but I’ve found it amazing how well common courtesy, good logic and reason can breakdown even illogical, emotional walls.

You don’t have to be gay, bisexual or transgender to speak up for innate human dignity. Life is hard enough: the more we can help one another, mitigate pain and spread love and tolerance, the better off we’ll all be.

Thank you for stopping by and participating in this wonderful event! Be sure to visit THIS LINK to see over 115 other awesome blog hop events and giveaways!

Now…let’s win some sweet Free2Luv swag! Click the button below to enter!

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The winner will be contacted on or before May 26th, and later announced on my website. Good luck, and please spread the LUV! Giveaway over — Congratulations, winner Sherry S.!

Learn more about the great organization whose swag I’m proud to have featured in my giveaway:

“Free2Luv is an award-winning nonprofit organization dedicated to rockin’ individuality, spreading kindness and standing up to bullying through arts and entertainment. Our mission is to take the bullied to brave, heal hurts and build dreams, so no child is left feeling alone, unwanted or hopeless.”

Hop Against Homophobia starts May 17, 2015

May 12, 2015 A.V. Sanders Leave a comment

I am participating in the Hop Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia on May 17-24th, and hosting a giveaway to celebrate this great awareness event!

Stop back here, starting Sunday, and enter to win:

~ Free2Luv’s “ROCK LUV: NOT HATE” t-shirt, in your size

~ Extra Wide, Limited Edition White “Free2Luv” wristband

~ Black “Rock Luv Not Hate” wristband

~ bonus temporary “Free2Luv” tattoos

Free2Luv is a fantastic organization donating the black wristband and temporary tattoos to my giveaway to show their support! Check them out and their million sign mission and pledge!

“Free2Luv is an award-winning nonprofit organization dedicated to rockin’ individuality, spreading kindness and standing up to bullying through arts and entertainment. Our mission is to take the bullied to brave, heal hurts and build dreams, so no child is left feeling alone, unwanted or hopeless.”