Acquired Tastes XLIII: Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 22 - Pleasure Reader/Phase IV

Acquired Tastes XLIII: Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 22

Pleasure Reader/Phase IV

Today, we have nine more of the 36 books published by Greenleaf Classics' Pleasure Reader imprint bearing cover designs from Phase IV of their rebranding efforts. 

This new style is typified by a more traditional cover with a 'softer' look. The emphasis is on a single figure in the foreground - typically captured in the form of a headshot (head and shoulders). 

These books appear, here, in the opposite order they were published, because that is how Blogger wanted them to appear, despite my best efforts. 

You know, I really enjoy it when I manage to find some dirt on these authors. Researching can be great fun. And when I do stumble onto some information - well, that's pay dirt!  These books encompass such an interesting time in gay history and these authors? All groundbreakers in my book (pun intended).

We have a perfect example today, one I've been biting at the bit to share. You'll see what I mean...

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Patrick Doyle is a familiar name. We've seen his works  here, here, here and here. He has sixteen novels to his credit.

Lover in a Cage

Author: Patrick Doyle

Cover Art: Robert Bonfils

Hmm. I didn't take issue with this cover until I noticed the glowering black man in the background. What in the world? Is he the 'lover' in a cage? Held against his will? Kinky role play? Or maybe he's in jail? Something tells me that in modern times this would not fly. And, of course, Bonfils is still messing with the format... but at least he got the androgyny of the figure in the foreground right. 

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Carl Driver is a pseudonym of Philip H. Lee. He has a dozen titles to his credit. You can see a couple of his works, here.

To Make a Man

Author: Carl Driver

Cover Art: Savage

This sounds like Rocky Horror Picture Show time! Well, it's always good to have a hobby.

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See more from Peter Tuesday Hughes here,  here,  here, and here.

The Big Blow

Author: Peter Tuesday Hughes

Cover Art: Robert Bonfils

The big blow, huh? Oh, yeah. Been there, done that! This one, such a tease. And we ain't talking bouffants, honey! What a pretty man. And that chest hair! To die for. Sigh.

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Oh, this is juicy...

Dirk Vanden

Dirk Vanden is considered the first gay Mormon writer and has been called a "pioneer of gay literature" by the Lambda Literary Review. Born on May 7, 1933, his real name is Richard Fullmer. A graduate of the University of Utah, his works have appeared in ONE Magazine, Vector, California Scene, and Latter-Gay Saints: An Anthology of Gay Mormon Fiction (who knew such a thing existed?). 

His book, I Want It All, published in 1969 by Frenchy's Gay Line imprint, was the first book to explore San Francisco's infamous leather scene. Vanden won a Lambda Literary Award for Gay Erotica in 2012 for a revision of his 'All' Trilogy, entitled All Together. 

Commenting on his dealings with Greenleaf Classics, Vanden (along with Richard Amory), was highly critical of the way editor Earl Kemp and the publishing house treated his work, terming it a heavy-handed approach to LGBT publishing. Apparently, Greenleaf had a history of not paying writers their royalties and employing editors unfamiliar with gay literature. Plus, in Vanden's case, they insisted on inserting graphic sex scenes into his books. 

He is credited with a total of ten novels, the revision of his 'All' Trilogy, and one biography

On October 21, 2014, Vanden died of cancer at his home in Carmichael, CA.

Read a rather comprehensive interview at Lambda Literary, here.

Who Killed Queen Tom?

Author: Dirk Vanden

Cover Art: Unknown

The original title for this book was To Themselves Unknown, and then Tom, Tom, The Piper's Son. It was originally written in 1958, while Venden was in college. Who knew there were kinky Mormon's? (raising my hand slowly) But, yes, this gentlemen was quite celebrated in the community, something akin to the attention Larry Townsend received. Given his issues with Greenleaf Classics, I wonder if Mr. Vanden liked the cover? Turns out our dear author was also a professional illustrator. Well, the man on the cover certainly looks like the type to knock on your door offering you some literature. But would you get on your knees with him?

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Dallas Kovar has five novels in the genre. This is the second in a trilogy of westerns he wrote: One to Share, Two to Show, and Three to Trade. You can see another of his works, here.

Two to Show...

Author: Dallas Kovar

Cover Art: Savage

My word, that is quite the set of teeth! And, an odd cover, considering this is supposed to be part of a trilogy of westerns. Did someone not get the memo (or read the book)?

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The always dependable Douglas Dean (Dean Goodman). You read a whole lot about him, here and have seen a number of examples of his writing throughout these posts thus far.

Boy on the Loose

Author: Douglas Dean

Cover Art: Robert Bonfils

Look at that young man run! What on earth could he be... oh. I didn't see the priest in the background. Well, yes.. run, young man, run!  Run for your life! 

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Frederick Raborg can really bang them out, can't he. You learned a great deal about him, here.

Dude on Second Avenue

Author: Frederick Raborg

Cover Art: Robert Bonfils

Robert Bonfils sure mixes it up, huh? I like it, but don't care much for the nose on the 'Dude'. And the backdrop makes me think of midway carnivals - which I suppose a night of bar-hopping can rather resemble. I mean, you spend enough time experiencing either activity and you're bound to get good and dizzy and perhaps a little nauseated. 

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This is the only title credited to Gabriel Hunter.

Coxswains of Malibu

Author: Gabriel Hunter

Cover Art: Unknown

Surf's up! I wonder what else might be? My word, is that an androgynous looking young man. It's like Malibu Barbie and Malibu Ken got melded together in a microwave. He could be a Covergirl, or maybe it's Maybelline! And that hair! Kissed by the sun, indeed.

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Ah, another from Peter Tuesday Hughes...  

TAngier 6-6969

Author: Peter Tuesday Hughes

Cover Art: Robert Bonfils

The title... is that supposed to reference a phone number? And, again, such androgyny. I must say, Robert Bonfils nailed this one. Very pretty. Love his hair and eyes. Makes me think of those soap operas that were popular in the 'haties' - Santa Barbara, Dynasty, Knots Landing... very sweeping, don't you think?

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Well, only nine more to go, folks and then we move on to the final phase of Pleasure Reader's rebranding.

Did you like what you see? Did I get something wrong, or have you something to add? Let me know... just drop me a line via the comments section.

That's all for now. Until next week... enjoy!

I Can Make You A Man (Reprise)

Rocky Horror Picture Show