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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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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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.
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?
Who Killed Queen Tom?
Author: Dirk Vanden
Cover Art: Unknown
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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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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
3 comments:
Ok, so I love RHPS. LOVE IT! I can't blame Frank for wanting Rocky, dear.
And you are right, there's a slight change in the covers. Tons of super-pretty men. Also a gay Mormon writing gay porn? Shocking! Porn is full of Mormons and other fundies.
XOXO
The cover art is a bit...soft, as you say. And blurry, too. Or is it just me?
The first picture Richard chamberlain
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