Awhile ago on Facebook, I shared a sad interaction overheard in the K-mart Barbie aisle. Benn Ray of Atomic Books/Mutant Funnies asked if he could use it in his “Overheards” column, which runs in the Baltimore Sun offshoot paper, “B.” The result is the brilliantly illustrated piece below. Kate Haberer‘s astute interpretation emphasizes the irony of the mother’s admonishment. I just love these things! You can order a whole book of them here.
In the publishing world, the author rarely gets the book cover he or she wants. The first printing of I Was a Teenage Dominatrix was a valiant effort by a tiny press in Los Angeles–so tiny, in fact, that me, the publishers and my husband all ended up as models on the cover, pretending to be east coast college students on the campus of UCLA. 
Later, when a ‘zine called Cashiers du Cinemart came calling, they commissioned artist Nathan Kane to do a drawing of me for their cover, resulting in exactly the kind of pulp-y image I’d always envisioned. 
When my book was reprinted by Last Gasp, I was thrilled when they agreed to use the new image for the new printing. 
Flash forward 10 years later–Cashiers du Cinemart is no more and my book is nearly out of print, but publisher/founder Mike White has his compendium, Impossibly Funky: A Cashiers du Cinemart Collection published. He tours around with the beautiful book. On his Baltimore stop at Atomic Books, his lovely wife surprises him with a stunning cake version of his book cover (made by the “Ace of Cakes” Charm City Cakes, no less!) 
I was not there for the unveiling but imagine my surprise (and delight) when I saw a little sugary version of the book-cover version of me on there! Complete with little handcuffs and everything! (Is this a trend? My friend Carol made this cake version of my book Imposters for a reading in Richmond a couple of years ago).
I caught up with Mike and Andrea in DC, on the last stop of the tour, where they presented me with the sexy little cake-topper version of myself. 
I could not believe it. I’ve always wanted an action figure of myself and this may be the closest I’ll ever get. I’ll take it! I’ll take the cake! 
I’m honored. 
I love it when art inspires more art.
Now…does anyone know how to preserve a gelatin-and-sugar doll forever and ever?
Editor David Sterry & I are doing some East Coast readings from Hos, Hookers, Callgirls & Rentboys. Friday night at Atomic Books in Baltimore was a huge success. Today we’re on to Richmond, and Tuesday night we’ll be at Busboys & Poets in DC.
