I was forwarded the following e-mail by a number of people a few days ago. It’s basically an assurance from Patty Marks to the EC Biz Loop, telling the authors that the RT stuff that’s been reported around the blogs, is a pack of lies.

I’ve edited out the boring irrelevant bits of course:

…Then our cover models followed up with their dance routines – no, there is no stripping, unless one considers bare chests and six packs stripping – yes, there are some suggestive moves – but, except for the at the very beginning when Christian (who was dressed in construction worker garb) showed his chest and six pack and did a little belly wiggle – there was NO STRIPPING, crotch grabbing or any other show of disrespect for either the military or the American flag during the God Bless the USA number.

The Greased Lightning routine was a bit more risque’, but until recently the only complaints I received was that the routine was slightly too tame – much more tame than last year. (Once again, last year’s routine also involved no stripping – but showed more chest and abs and the dances were more animated)…

The only other complaint I have personally received is the one that has been made very public on loops and blogs and that was expressed over and over and over again by that particular person to whomever was willing to listen.

I suspected another agenda and yesterday was told {K: I bet Ann Jacobs did the telling.} that the same person who is expressing her opinions as an upset author IS AND HAS BEEN the marketing director – using an alias on their website – of the publishing company owned by the person who has filed a suit against EC – which was also “leaked” to blogs well
before we were even made aware of the filing (see biz loop message #21889, dated April 8, 2008) – and introduced herself as such at that publisher’s RT function on Sunday.

While not surprised and personally I would like to express my feelings regarding these
highly questionable tactics, as I stated in the aforementioned biz loop message, I will state again: “Please be assured that we will continue to maintain our professionalism and defend our business’, authors’ and readers’ interests.” This will all be addressed in the proper forum.

That being said, I do take concerns seriously and I did email
Kathryn Falk regarding the routines and she responded with the following:

“Dear Patty

I was not offended by anything I saw. There are always some risque dance movements going on, but most people laugh it off, I hope. I personally enjoy a little “chippendale” action from the guys. It’s fun -and makes people chuckle.

Big John was a joy to have throughout the convention, as was Jason, Sly and other familiar faces from your calendar. They were most helpful and contributed much to the event. You have some very nice representatives that I hope will always be at our conventions.

Your Calendar is such a popular item. I brought back several for some military wives coming to the SOS retreat next month. They asked for them specifically. I hope you’ll bring Cavemen to your party and other events next year. The readers and booksellers would sorely miss your “eye candy” as more than one booklover said to me.

Saluti, Kathryn”…

So there you have it, Kathryn  Falk says it’s ok, so all’s well with the world.

Stellar.

So asks author JC Wilder, during an interesting account of some of the stuff that’s been going on at The Romantic Times convention this year.

She writes:

And then there are the cover models…displaying very ungallant behavior. Well, let me rephrase that…some of them are lovely. Well mannered, courteous – exactly what one would expect in someone who hoped to portray one of our fabulous heroes.

I wonder who those models were? I’d have assumed that most male models would be up themselves regardless. Did I just say that out loud?

The others, a motley gaggle of strippers (K:I think she’s talking about the Elloras Cavemen here) and one triple X rated porn star – yes, a porn star – groping people and generally offending a great many attendees. Of course when a few of these gems stage a 9/11 tribute at the EC Party (it was during an SOS military salute – a cause that Kathryn Falk, the founder of RT, has thrown her voice and cash behind) came on stage in military regalia and proceeded to strip and grope themselves. What does grabbing your dick have to do with a tribute to those fallen on 9/11?

Is it wrong that I chuckled at the images that this evoked?

First off, dressing in a faux military outfit and stripping could be sexy and over the top – but during a TRIBUTE to the soldiers? A TRIBUTE to 9/11?

WTF???

Of course if that weren’t enough to turn the stomach – the X rated simulated sex on stage was enough to send people out in droves. A woman (can’t call her a lady!) was stretched out on the stage with a stripper simulating sex with his dick positioned over her mouth. It just so happened that while this was going on…her top came down.

Oh dear.

So I guess nothing’s changed from previous years then?

Oh, apparently she’s (JC Wilder) received rapped knuckles from other authors for objecting to having her arse groped, and publicising her disgust at the Cavemen paying tribute to the 9/11 soldiers by grabbing their crotches. Stellar.