From the desk of...Evan Scott
Welcome to 2005! I hope your holidays were grand and you got your stocking stuffed!
Well, the critics of SUITE have already surfaced; I just didn't expect it so soon. I figured when SUITE became more of a household name the inflammatory remarks would happen but I never imagined the censuring would come within the first few months. I've always seen it as a sign of success when you get popular enough skeptics feel they have to attack you. And I have this dream...some televangelist, with time on their hands, finds out about SUITE, then begins an all out crusade against this "Pornographic display disguised at literature". Believe me...I will blatantly flaunt and utilize the free publicity if that should ever happen.
Already there have been comments that SUITE is “Nothing but porn” and “Intelligent women don't read porn”. Isn't it strange how it's no big deal if a guy reads the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue? Nobody claims SI as being porn or smutty.
What did catch me off guard was the message board posting which said, “Why is it these mags come from hard up men?” and “A mag like this, started and run by men, is just another pickup line ”. I seriously doubted the poster would believe me if I told them I was a romance book cover model and the only male on staff (who constantly gets out-voted), so instead I dared him/her (couldn't tell from the posting) to read the magazine. I haven't heard from the poster since...hmmm...
Enough of that…on to the good stuff.
SUITE is already starting off the year right by featuring the Chippendales in a few articles. We've got a Behind the Story piece on them as well as an interview from their dressing room right before a live show and a One on One with the East Coast Chippendales Tour Manager, Dan Banion in the Rogues Gallery. When Tamara and I dreamed up SUITE Magazine I didn't think I'd be dragged to a male revue, but I soon realized I'd be in the presence of a room full of hot and bothered women, and the night could turn out to have some redeeming qualities after all. For a glimpse into my experience look at the end of the Chippendales Interview.
Our first SUITE Knight of 2005 is cover model Sly Bowden. His first book cover appears in this month's issue of Romantic Times BOOKclub Magazine. Look for it at your nearest newsstand. You won't find a more cordial guy. In this month's DIY we get a little technical and talk about going wireless with your computer. Diane Lynn brings you some Heat Between the Sheets with her short story Breaking the Fast. I understand SUITE's managing editor took many cold showers after working on this particular job.
Follow Cindy Walker as she starts her monthly series, A Brand New Me. Our own SUITEheart of promotions is embarking on a lifestyle makeover and that takes a lot of guts. She is laying herself bare to all the SUITE readers during her successes and failures. Perhaps you can take this journey with her, or at least give her some support along the way.
At this point I've got to send out some kudos. Carla, our Goddess of the Edits has been clicking and typing her fingers to the bone doing the editing for SUITE (while going through a major medical crisis right now). I deserve every grumpy emoticon she sends me when I submit my article to her for editing just a little after the deadline...okay...maybe well after the deadline. Then there is our little Nymph of Mischief, Lysa, always willing to help at the drop of a hat.
BTW, we're still sorting through emails (as Tamara cracks the whip to get material submitted in time for the February issue), so if we don't answer immediately, please be patient, and don't let that stop you from contacting us. We love to hear your opinions and what you want to see in SUITE.
At Your Service,
Evan Scott
CFO, SUITE Magazine
