AHS GSA (original) (raw)

Hello…

I know I’ve contacted a number of you individually so if you’ve received an e-mail from me directly, or if I’ve already contacted you through Myspace I apologize in advance.

I’m trying to get the word out about my new gay-themed, teen novel “Playing the Field” that just came out this week.

I’m reaching out to Gay-Straight Alliances, young adult reading clubs, teen pride groups and other such organizations because I think the novel will be of interest to you. “Playing the Field” is an over the top look at high school life, and the main storylines are focused around the school’s GSA.

Without question, the novel is already rubbing some people the wrong way. Because of the subject matter, some reviewers have refused to review it and some schools have refused to include it in their collections. Whatever.

To be quite honest, the language and sexual content is rather tame (comparatively speaking), but what adult readers are not quite able to grasp is how frank and evolved the characters are.

My intent was never to create the next great piece of teen literature. I wanted to create a fun read with a cool message of tolerance, and I think I did.

“Playing the Field” is available in stores (Borders, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, etc.) and on-line (Amazon and Barnes & Noble). I’ve also included a synopsis of the book below, lifted from the inside flap copy. If you know of anyone who might be interested in the book, please spread the word. In the world of teen novels and young adult literature, nothing beats word of mouth and Myspace!

I’d love to hear from you, and if you hear of others who have read the book, please encourage them to contact me as well. I enjoy the feedback...even negative feedback because that’s when you really know you’ve struck a chord!

Increase the Peace,

Phil Bildner

www.philbildner.com (we’re rebuilding the site right now so some of the links may be a little off)

Playing the Field:

"Insightful, provocative, and laugh-out-loud funny…An inside-out look at high school sports."
--Pete Hautman, National Book Award winner for Godless

"Phil Bildner's screwball comedy sings with wit and originality and a refreshingly frank and funny exploration of bias and discrimination against gays. Like Darcy Miller's magical pitching arm, it sinks a fastball straight into your heart."
-- Tracy Mack, author of Birdland

All Darcy wants is to play on the baseball team, to hear her name announced, "Now batting, Darcy Miller," to play the field. Is that so much to ask?

Unfortunately, it might be. In a few short months, Darcy Miller goes from typical senior in high school to candidate for Jerry Springer. Her mom has started dating Darcy's principal, the very principal whose son Darcy happened to have started a huge flirt-fest with, now brought to a screeching halt. When she decides to let her mom go to bat (so to speak) for her to play on the baseball team, Darcy thinks things are starting to look up. After all, Principal Basset caves and decides to let her play. But he has two conditions that shake up her entire game: She must pretend to be a lesbian (WHAT?) and she must join the GSA, the Gay-Straight Alliance (WHAT? WHAT?), the president of which happens to be her best friend -- make that her ex-best friend, Josh. Okay, Darcy's senior year might seem complicated at first. It's not. It's insurmountably, unforgettably, and -- most of the time -- hilariously complicated.

But if anyone can handle it, it's Darcy. She'll do anything just to play the field.