Yesterday I wrote a blog about an issue that means a lot to me: the packaging of any artistic work for marketing purposes and the effect this has on the individual writer or artist.

I stuck to the difficulty this presents for female writers, namely me - but certainly not only me! Too many female authors use their initials instead of their full name in the hope that male readers may not suspect/expect a book written specifically for female readers.

This happens more often than one would think.

The reverse was true as well..in the 1980s and 1990s men took female pen names to penetrate the romance market. They came 'out of their closet' eventually...I suppose it was fun for them to meet readers at book signings or to accept writing awards. A dear old writing pal of mine still uses a female pseudo...it's OK, but it is Not how it ought to be.

Now, in making my case yesterday I got so passionate (or incensed), I missed placing one little word in the right spot: *only*... :)))

(I do not write *only* for female readers. In fact, if you are an alien from outer space and you know how to read, I hope you'll enjoy my books as well. I just write stories and do not aim them at anyone in particular -- against all writing biz advice. )

I just corrected that..editing does have its merits. I'm usually just too tired and too hurried to do a good job of proofreading on the spot.

So please forgive me my oversights and typos -- easier to get away with it in blogs than in article writing - I hope. It has been and still is too darn hot.

Stay cool!

Gina