Today I sent 135 press kits to all the gay and lesbian bars in San Francisco, Pittsburgh, New York, Provincetown and Albuquerque. I'm getting another 180 kits ready for all the gay and lesbian bookstores across America. Then there are all the other city bars in the U.S.

It'll take several hundred dollars over several pay periods, but this is how it's done when you can't afford an agent, big advertising and publishing house pushing. I don't mind though. I've had to rely on me my whole life, and I've learned I can't leave decisions about my future in anyone elses hands.

Following is the cover letter and flier I sent establishments my audience frequents:

Dear Manager,

My name is Pat Gaskill, and I am writing to ask you a big favor. I am enclosing a flier I hope you can post in your establishment. I'm a newly published author without an agent or huge budget. I have a title worth looking at, and a plan for our community that promises to get the US talking.

I wrote this plan with gays and lesbians in mind, and I know this topic will strike a chord at this crucial time in history. If you've been around for some time, you'll have noticed that in the ‘70's to early 90's presidential hopefuls would promise us the moon and stars for our votes and money. Do you still hear that? That's because between the democratic and republican gays and lesbians, we cancel one another: the candidates don't need our votes.

Please help a struggling author get my message to my community. I will be so greatly appreciative. Advertising is so expensive. I thought the best way to reach my audience is to take the message directly to them. For the bookstore owners, I know it would be a risk to put a newly published author on your shelves. You can get hold of Authorhouse for copies if patrons show an interest in the title.

Thank you so very much for your time.

Respectfully yours,

Pat Glaros

And flier:

BOOK COVER INSERTED HERE

As a community, we have walked the sidewalks of Washington D.C. for equality and respect. We've been doing this for more than 40 years. Are you happy with the results?

Let's take stock: We aren't "allowed" to defend this country openly, and the IRS will not recognize same-sex unions in filing jointly, SS benefits and pensions. No matter what the President of the US says about states deciding whether they'll "allow" same-sex unions, the government won't stand behind it so what's the point?

I have a plan worth discussing, and I am bringing it directly to my community. You can learn more about it by reading my proposal called We Don't Need Permission: A Proposal for Homosexual Emancipation. Look at my site at HTTP://www.youtube.com/lindasue1954