Malinda Lo
Blog
Aug 27, 2009
Especially for AfterEllen readers: Win a signed copy of ASH
As many of you know, I got my start as a writer by working at AfterEllen.com, an entertainment news site for lesbians and bisexual women. I am pretty darn sure that had it not been for AfterEllen, Ash would not be getting published. Why? Because AfterEllen paid me to work part-time, which allowed me to actually finish writing the draft of Ash that I then submitted to agents.
Additionally, it’s pretty obvious to me that most of the visitors to my website would never have found their way here had it not been for AfterEllen. I mean, this is where most of you guys know me from, whether it’s from my column or my vlog or my news articles on the site. So, now that my book is coming out (Sept. 1 officially, but it’s been spotted sneaking into many bookstores already!), I wanted to thank all of you AfterEllen readers who have supported me through your comments, your emails, your tweets, and now by buying my book.
THANK YOU. 
But I don’t think a plain ol’ thank you is enough! So I’m giving away two signed copies of Ash to AfterEllen readers (and since I know you come from all over the world, this offer is not limited to North America). All you have to do is leave a comment below, telling me about one of your favorite AfterEllen blog posts, articles or vlogs from the last year. (Sorry, no extra credit for mentioning one of my articles!)
You have until the end of the day, California time, on Sept. 5 to leave your comment. After that, I will randomly choose a winner from all the legitimate comments. You’re welcome to comment more than once, but I will only count you once, no matter how many comments you leave. I will announce the winner shortly after Sept. 5.
So … have at it! What was one of your favorite articles/blog posts/vlogs from AE in the last year?
P.S. If you are not a regular AfterEllen reader, of course you are still welcome to leave a comment. All you have to do, obviously, is go read some stuff on AfterEllen. 
I loved this article from last year because I am totally enamored with all things Top Chef!
http://www.afterellen.com/TV/2008/3/lesbiantopchefinterviews
I enjoy alot of the afterellen.com blogs & vlogs but I look forward every Friday to a new Best. Lesbian. Week. Ever. I’ve learned about alot of Lesbian books, films and tv that I would have missed if it weren’t for this site.
My partner is a writer looking for an agent so I wish you congratulations from someone who knows how hard it is to get a book published and great success on the sale of it. I look forward to reading it whether I win it or have to buy it.
My favorite AfterEllen articles have always been the book reviews, as that’s how I found the site in the first place many years ago. I spent the summer of my freshman year in high school working my way systematically through every GLBT-themed YA book in my county library system that was reviewed on the site, and the plethora of (all good!) literature really helped me to explore this part of myself.
I just love Michelle’s vlog “Really?! REALLY?!”.
She’s so cute and funny it should be illegal ^^
I loved the This Just Out when Liz interviewed Tegan. My favorite part is when they played Who’s Gayer and they both got increasingly giggly, culminating in the moment Tegan says, “Can you imagine being straight? and then makes a face and starts pondering chest hair. Just thinking about it right now is making me laugh.
There are plenty of things that come in a close second though. The L Word on Facebook was hilarious, and I really enjoy your Notes and Queeries columns as well as Sarah’s Visibility Matters columns.
Even if I don’t win, I will definitely be buying your book. It’s been awhile since I’ve been excited to read something. I’m thinking of also getting it for my niece for Christmas, she’d probably love it. Thanks Malinda!!
I really enjoyed the AE article on Lesbian advertisements Part 1 and 2. What fun to see a variety of takes on lesbianism and product endoursement. Truely Funny!
Not an easy one, After Ellen has very good articles … It would have to be “L Word” Co-Creators Michele Abbott and Kathy Greenberg Break Their Silence – http://www.afterellen.com/TV/2009/4/abbott-greenberg for offering a very ‘human’ glimpse behind the scenes of a TV show that fascinated us for 6 years and which people loved, then loved to hate – and hated that they still loved
Michelle Abbott and Kathy Greenberg show a very cohesive creative team, all the time not blaming Ilene Chaiken for the hit-or-miss choices she made for the show, indeed giving her due credit for making IT happen. It is funny, light, creative, serious, based on personal experiences and everything that brought us to the show in the first place (yes, attractive ladies made the package that much more appealing).
Looking forward to more good stories from these ladies!
I look forward to your Notes and Queeries every month. I really liked The Walmart Wedding article. Also the Sarah Waters interview was great as well. Can’t wait to read your first novel!
I always look forward to the Across the Page posts, but my favourite is this one on Bisexual Literature.
Gay and lesbian visibility is deplorable enough, but bisexuals are practically invisible in mainstream media. If bisexual women are present at all, it’s so they can have a scandalous girl-on-girl kiss before putting on their high heels, reapplying their lipstick, and running back to a suitable man.
I am a writer, and as my bio states that I live with my girlfriend, I am often classed as a lesbian writer. Although this is better than the heterosexual assumption – and is my sexuality really that relevant anyway? – I would like to stand up and add my name to the list of bisexual writers. All flavours of queerness exist, and we will all be heard.
A recent favorite of mine was Stuntdouble’s list of Top 11 Lesbian/Bi Sidekicks. (http://www.afterellen.com/TV/2009/7/top-11-lesbian-bi-sidekicks) This list was funny and included all the right ladies. Plus, who doesn’t love an internet list?
We love the article on the Deschanel sisters! http://www.afterellen.com/blog/dorothysnarker/bones-hopes-to-bring-the-deschanel-sisters-together
Both of the sisters are great and it would be so fun to watch them together.
I love afterellen.com! I’m always sending my friends links to articles on there. I’m a gender studies major at a women’s college so loved your article, “Notes & Queeries: Best Friends Forever” and immediately read the book! “A 20-year-old plus size model bares her belly in ‘Glamour’” was one I could relate to directly. Thought “What Amazon’s ‘Glitch’ Says About American Pop Culture” was an important piece. “Dottie the Lesbian Sock and How She Found Her Match” was excellent as I was taking a children’s literature class. And any article on Rachel Maddow or the state of the world, “Rachel Maddow on ‘The Colbert Report’ and the cover of ‘The Advocate’”. Ok, I’m basically obsessed with afterellen and read it religiously. It makes me laugh, feel empowered and love being a lesbian.
Absolutely cannot wait to read Ash!!! Am always up for good queer novels (and at 21, still love YA).
The Cat on the Prowl episode with Bridget McManus really made me laugh.
Oh so hard to choose – I am at AE probably way too much…
I really liked the “If the L word were on Facebook” posts during the last season, they were hilarious. Especially how Dana still had one and was speaking from beyond the grave!
I also always enjoy your “Notes and Queeries” and Commencement is currently on my Amazon wish list after reading that article, but it was the article on “The Trouble with Bisexual” that I knew I had to post about as soon as I started this post. It was incredibly well-written and touching that you’d share that with us.
I can’t wait to read Ash!
It definitely has to be the fake gay news columns. Being british, i love sarcasm and satire, so they never fail to amuse me.
http://www.afterellen.com/blog/badmachine/fake-gay-news-lesbian-closed-captioner-sued
Is one of my favourites… though i am also quite fond of some of the hilarious episode recaps, which I can’t seem to read without snorting whatever i’m drinking out of my nose.
Also, any article slagging off Megan Fox.
~Emmy
I really like Dorothy Snarker’s posts since she became a regular contributor. Her most recent one was a laugh: http://www.afterellen.com/blog/dorothysnarker/lets-get-real-about-the-real-l-word
My favorite is a recent one: http://www.afterellen.com/blog/thelinster/out-at-lunch-does-real-lesbians-cambridge
I can’t wait to see the movie….
http://www.afterellen.com/blog/thelinster/kaki-king-turns-her-music-into-art
Kaki King is a really important find for 1) musicians, 2) feminists, 3) women, 4) queer people, 5) allies, 6) artists, 7) …and everyone else!
Leave it to this site to discover and love her.
My favorite recent one …. tough choice, but I think I have to go with this one.
http://www.afterellen.com/blog/jensabella/Lesbian-director-cherien-dabis-brings-arab-americans-to-the-screen
Easily the L Word Facebook recaps. Pure Genius.
I would have to say Best.Lesbian.Week.Ever. is my favorite because it’s a great recap of everything. Helps me to stay “in the know!”