#Growing Up Ace: First Lessons In Transactional Sexuality

April 10, 2020November 18, 2021Leave a comment

Transactional sexuality. I’d be willing to wager that phrase makes you think of sex work. That is one type of transaction. Definitely not the first I learned. For me the first example was in the animated Aladdin. I can still picture Jasmine in the red outfit. Like flipping a switching and beaconing the bad guy in a hither tone of voice.

That is my first memory knowing that sexuality. Particularly women’s (a)sexuality, was something that was not so much felt, but offered. Only ever seen as a type of transactional sexuality for something else. Behavior for behavior.

The next time I saw this was a Stargate SG-1 episode. Hathor chemically seduces the men, women are locked up instead. Their plan? Hike up their shirts and get their flirt on with the male guards.

Science fiction is a common offender of this trope. Not only does this say fair reaching things about the assumed submission of women to men. It also takes agency from men, claiming they are slaves to their urges.

Today, let’s highlight how these examples teach aces that sexual behavior is something offered in exchange for something. Aces may date because when needed a friend. Or have sex because protection is wanted. These events are at times consensual, but are transactional in a less obvious way than sex work.

Without feeling earnest sexual attraction asexuals have less of a chance to make course corrections. Dangerous situations happen with misread behavoir.

This article does not paint a complete picture of the reasons aces might have sex. Instead asks for a growing awareness that the diverse behavior of aces. Many who are simply trying to survive when compulsory sexuality and amatonormativity are demanded.

Be sure to check out our other articles about media criticism and asexual activism to learn more.

Growing Up Ace: First Lessons In Transaction Sexuality

April 10, 2020Leave a comment

I’d be willing to wager that phrasing makes you think of sex work, and while that is one type of transaction, it’s definitely not the first I learned. The first example of this for me was in the animated Aladdin. I can still picture Jasmine in the red outfit, flipping a switching and beaconing the bad guy with a come hither tone of voice.

That is my first memory knowing that sexuality, particularly women’s asexuality, was something that was not so much felt, but offered. The next time I saw this type of behavior was a Stargate SG-1 episode where the men were chemically seduced by Hathor. The women were locked up since they are unable to be controlled in this fashion, hick up their shirts and get their flirt on with the male guards.

Science fiction is a common offender of this trope, which says fair reaching things about the assumed submission of women to men, and how men are slaves to their urges.

But today, I’d like to highlight how these examples teach aces that sexual behavior is something offered in exchange for something. This is a wildly dangerous situation when aces date simply because a friend is needed, or when aces have sex because protection is wanted. These events are at times consensual, but are transactional in a less obvious way than sex work.

For aces in particular, depictions of Jasmine’s red outfit inspired sexuality, or Stargate’s flirt ploy, can dangerously misinform aces about how to navigate the topic. Women’s sexuality is displayed as a weapon towards men, and one that far to easily can turned against us. A weapon not of our own consumption, and not for our own empowerment.

And without feeling earnest sexual attraction we have less of a chance to make course corrections into situations that make us feel respected.

While this article does not paint a complete picture of all the reasons aces might have sex, but it does ask for a growing awareness that the behavior of aces, and many other groups, are the result of simply trying to survive in a world where compulsory sexuality and amatonormaity are demanded.

And acknowledgment that aces face this, that women face this, that anyone may face this, might be able to keep our sexualities from feeling as if they were for sale to the hetro-patriarchy.

🌹 Reviews: Permanent Record by Mary M.K. Choi

March 13, 2020November 18, 2021Leave a comment

The first fifty to hundred pages on this book are fantastic. There was so many good lines about identity, depression, race and how all of those things are intermix in a confusing fashion that make it really hard to explain unless you are living it. At one point our main character Pab says, “I don’t even know what we’re arguing about at this point, but it’s clear that being locked in an idiot’s arms race of saying ignorant things is easier than having a real discussion.” That’s a fucking brilliant line, and contextually an even more brilliant summary on how important discussions often get handled.

The next hundred of pages however? A mess. The author’s acknowledgements make a point to say that second books are really hard and she broke her brain trying to write it and I think this book needed more time to actually bake in her mind since she did not what you wanted to say with this story so says nothing for most of the book, leaving us with this raw contradictory rambling of a book.

Reviews will highlight the gems in this story. Show the strength of Mary H.K. Choi’s writing style, but I don’t really see any reason to going to find those gems myself. An honest summary of the book would be two characters with self made problems who aren’t working together as much as they’d like because they aren’t honest with each other or themselves. Mary H. K. Choi’s first book, does not have this problem. Which makes Permanent Record come off more as an author deeply confused trying to empathize with both these two extremes and unable to bridge her own thoughts.

I want to end on a good note so I’ll say now and always, the hardcover of this book is a work of art. The dust sleeve being part of the cover, but yet not. The work that is hidden underneath the dust cover is amazing. I got my copy for like ten bucks versus the nineteen cover price so I don’t feel like the time or money was a waste. I just wish I had popular highlights in my paperback version that marked the hidden treasures so I could view the collective thing as work of art. More then any other book I’ve read that ability would also better reflect the theme. The online listing doesn’t do the cover justice, go look at it the next time you are in bookstore.

I’m officially calling this #spelunking trip over at 205 pages, when writing the review I tried to flip through the book but felt it fall even more apart. If you make it to the bicycle seen I feel like Lee over the idea of finishing this. If you’re the Pab here, or both at once, maybe this book is what you needed, like I hope it is what the author needed even if I’m left with more concerns then I started out with.

My New Book Deal:

January 7, 2020November 18, 2021Leave a comment

I’m still excited from Suicide By Ghost’s release a few months ago, but I got more news today! It’s honestly the news I hoped people knew were coming every since Creative Aces Publishing signed Jonathan Lopez. Our newest, PRESS START is such a cute story about having fun while healing. I think it’s going to feel like a breath of fresh air for everyone.

Here’s a transcript of the publishing announcement:

PRESS START from Rose Sinclair and Jonathan Lopez, a lighthearted novel pitched as Yuri On Ice meets Pokemon Go, in which Loren, a queer teen with a pension for creative problem solving when it comes to a new augmented reality gamed called Holo Heroes, is set for publication Summer 2020 by us at Creative Aces Publishing.

🌹 Reviews: Waking Up The Sun

January 2, 2020Leave a comment

Waking Up The Sun front loads a protagonist who has anxiety and has already learned ways to cope with it. It mentions magic almost right away too, but my favorite part of that is that a potion is considered magic instead of just having a spell go “cure” him. It’s a great bit of world building I wish more things had. Having a lead character who has to consider their racing thoughts and find medicine because that’s part of their basic needs is so a plot point, instead of a casual one off line. That’s amazing to see.

Around the 20% mark you see the consideration of being lost in the woods and having to wash your clothes. These are such small things that most writers just ignore because they think it will ruin— whatever. But these are the exact things that makes Waking Up The Sun real and something that feels new.

The only criticism I have of this was I thought the writing could be tighter. Sometimes I thought why is this being mentioned now, or at all. It may not be the best read for the sex repulsed for similar reasons but maybe this review can serve as your content warning.

With that said, this book is why I like to read from LGBTQ authors, generally found from small publishers. They have a number of important things that aren’t found elsewhere. Both men in the pairing are sweet. Awkward only in an realistic way instead of being an often sexist adorkable trope. I think my favorite thing is how much they check in with each other, ask if the other is okay.

[Learn more or buy your own copy here.]

🌹 Rose Reviews: Waking Up The Sun

January 2, 2020November 18, 2021Leave a comment

Waking Up The Sun ebook and cat

[Learn more or buy your own copy here.]

Waking Up The Sun

If you like our quick book reviews, be sure to check out more from the rose garden archive.

Creative Aces Publishing Is Live!

February 11, 2019November 18, 2021Leave a comment

Publishing news isn’t rare, but making an announcement yourself is, and I’m so thrilled to say I have some news today!

Creative Aces Publishing was a brainchild I first had in 2015, and thanks to other aces over the years we published two community projects: What You See, an art book featuring two dozen aces, and Unburied Fables, an LGBTQ charity anthology benefiting The Trevor Project.

If you heard of us before, here’s how we’ve changed since then. Unlike other indie publishers, we seek to build from a community standpoint. Not only saying we put authors first, but also paying them a highly competitive rate unheard of for a group so small. Offering upwards of 50% royalty, and sometimes even an author advance.

As a full-service publisher, authors can also expect a professional looking cover design, comprehensive editing, a personalized marketing plan, training and support as an author from signing and beyond at no cost.

All made possible by a slow and steady mentality that makes sure you don’t get lost in a sea of other authors. Because of this, we aren’t currently open for submissions, but already have signed authors and will be making more announcements soon.

If you have any questions please contact us at info@creativeacespublishing.com.

Here’s what this means for anyone who knows me personally, I’ve been dealt a hand of cards that allows me to take the project to a level I always wanted and make it a full-fledged publisher.

I’ve been working for various publishers since 2015, and love helping authors. But I also see areas where many barely even get a chance because of factors around their disability or identity. As the company’s co-founder and creative director, I can’t fix the industry as a whole, but I can set a standard I believe in. One who’s core goal takes pride in creating art and supporting those artists.

Dudes Being Dudes (Aces in Fiction List)

September 10, 2018September 9, 2018Leave a comment

Someone asked me for a list of asexual guys in fiction so here’s a wide collection across media times. But first, a warning. This list was made with what I know about the story. Any miscategorization is accidental and will be promptly fixed if you let me know. Some men might have been accidentally excluded because I don’t know enough about the character, the list will be updated when I do. | Masterlist found here | Send updates here

* Denotes I’ve read/watched/played it

Aro Aces (Assorted Media Type)
Daud from Dishonored*
Jughead*

Men of color (Assorted Media Type)
Dionysus from The Wicked and The Divine*
Luffy from One Piece
Lance from The Once And Future Queen*
Dareka/Anonymous from Shimanami Tasogare
Raphael from City of Bones*
James from Dreamland Burning

New Adult Aces
Aidan from The Alpha and His Ace
Trey from Crush
Brennan from All The Wrong Places
Elie from The Life and Death of Elie and Jay
Neil from The Foxhole Court
Cy from How Now To Summon Your True Love
Wes from Mr. March Names the Stars
Regan from Chameleon Moon*

Adult Aces
Casey from How To Be A Normal Person*
Scott from Hello World*
Roman from City of Soldiers
Nick from The Pardoner’s Tale

Young Adult Aces
Kevin from Guardian of the Dead
Tom From This Song Is (Not) for You
Jake from The Asexual Equation
Bran from Coffee Cake
Micheal from Thief of Souls
Manny from Ball Caps and Khakis
Dexter from To Terminator, With Love

Aces on TV
The only one I can fully rec is Todd from BoJack but remember to check the master list for details of more aces who were on television!

Asexual Men In Fiction List! – Find our suggestions for your new favorite.

September 10, 2018November 18, 2021Leave a comment

I was asked for a list of asexual men in fiction recently. Here’s our wide collection across media times of ace dudes being dudes.

You can find our complete asexual characters in fiction masterlist here. Or even sent updates here so when new books come out with great new characters they get added. The list of asexual characters has absolutely grown in recent years and I believe it will continue to.

If you see a series with a * at the end of it. That means I’ve read, watched, or played the series. And in all cases definitely would recommend them for others.

Asexual Men In Comics, Video Games, or Books

Aro Aces (Assorted Media Type)
Daud from Dishonored*
Jughead*

Men of color (Assorted Media Type)
Dionysus from The Wicked and The Divine*
Luffy from One Piece
Lance from The Once And Future Queen*
Dareka/Anonymous from Shimanami Tasogare
Raphael from City of Bones*
James from Dreamland Burning

New Adult Aces
Aidan from The Alpha and His Ace
Trey from Crush
Brennan from All The Wrong Places
Elie from The Life and Death of Elie and Jay
Neil from The Foxhole Court
Cy from How Now To Summon Your True Love
Wes from Mr. March Names the Stars
Regan from Chameleon Moon*

Adult Aces
Casey from How To Be A Normal Person*
Scott from Hello World*
Roman from City of Soldiers
Nick from The Pardoner’s Tale

Young Adult Aces
Kevin from Guardian of the Dead
Tom From This Song Is (Not) for You
Jake from The Asexual Equation
Bran from Coffee Cake
Micheal from Thief of Souls
Manny from Ball Caps and Khakis
Dexter from To Terminator, With Love

Asexual Men on TV

The only example I can fully rec when it comes to television. He’s a romantic ace and has a dedicated respectful asexual story arc. There are others asexual men on TV that you can find on our master list. You can also read about why I didn’t include them. 90% of the time it’s because it’s a throwaway line or the arc isn’t so nice to aces or aros.

In this case, Todd from Bojack Horseman is the stand out winner of his category.

There’s even more ace characters to be found in our book review tag!

🌹’S ACE COMIC RECS

July 9, 2018July 4, 2018Leave a comment

Jughead

If you are looking for a fun, silly, read I cannot recommend Jughead (2015) more! Written by Chip Zdarsky, and Ryan North you can see Jughead be a pirate, be a spy, hang out with a burger lady.

The Wicked and Divine

I love this series but it is not for the faint of heart. There’s a lot of death, and violence and our heroes constantly being in trouble. With that said, it’s an amazing series that has tons of diversity. The main characters are gods incarnate so if you love mythology be sure to check it out!

Moonlighters

Another very cute series. Currently online only, but another light fun read about a group of werewolves who solve monsters problems like locating their missing cats.

The Once And Future Queen

I learned about this comic by quote RT-ing one of the authors with my shock that there was an asexual character and we’ve been friendly since. King Arthur is reimagined as a 21st-century multi-ethnic teen girl, and Lancelot is a black asexual. It’s lighter then Wicked and Divine, but definitely a fighting/adventure story. I’m trying to get a Volume 2 so ask your library for it if can’t afford a copy of your own!!

For a complete list of aces in comics, check out our master list!