Leaving AVN...

Hey folks,

As I indicated in another thread here, I am taking my leave of the adult webmaster industry, and from my job as associate editor at AVN Online.

I’ve been offered a job as associate editor at Specialty Publications, where I will be contributing to all four of their magazine properties, including Unzipped, Men, Freshmen and [2]. I am most happy about this job because it will mean a return to writing for consumer-based publications, as opposed to a trade-based one. It’s no secret that I’ve become very disenchanted with this particular industry, and I’m very much looking forward to having a voice and the opportunity to affect some change in the lives of gay men and the way they view their sexuality.

Though I have been somewhat critical of the industry, I have enjoyed working with many of you, and have particularly enjoyed meeting and interacting with you at shows. In fact, I will be very sorry to miss this summer's Internext show, as I was very much looking forward to mingling with many of you again. But the time has simply come for me to move on, and especially to return to the kind of writing that gives me the gratification that I require as a writer. I've already spoken with my new editor about the kinds of stories that I hope to be writing, and he's totally onboard with it. He's also excited by my background with adult websites, so I look forward to the opportunity to continue to cover the exciting developments and sites that many of you offer.

I have also spoken with AVN Online about contributing to the magazine on a freelance basis, and I am in talks with someone right now about launching our own affiliate program and exclusive sites, so this is by no means goodbye, just a "see ya around." You certainly haven't heard the last of me, that's for sure.

You've been warned.

:)

Ken

I look forward to reading more of your work Ken now that there will be an additional outlet for your creativity! Congratulations on this new chapter!

Ken,
Although we never worked together, I have enjoyed reading your articles and posts. Best of luck to you. May the Force be With You.
- Michael

Congrats on the new job Ken! It sounds like something that you will be very happy with!

Wishing you all the best Ken, sounds like a job you'll really enjoy!

Good luck with the new job Ken although im sure you'll do well at Specialty.

Out of interest, may i ask why you chose Specialty out of all the other publications you could have gone to work for?

Only reason that i ask is leaving AVN for a company that is $26.5 million in debt and fighting off chapter 11 proceedings just seems, well, crazy.

Regards,

Lee

Congrats Ken.

I like the SP mags very much.

Relevant question from Lee however I think SP will be around for many years to come in some shape or format.

Congrats on the new position, Ken. Hope all goes well for ya! GRR! ;)

Congrats, Ken.

Moving to a job where you're doing what you most enjoy is always a good thing!!

Please keep us all posted and pop in now and then.

Ken, Darling! Congratulations!

What a great step for you, and I know that they are getting something very special bringing you on board!

You better keep in touch, my friend, or I'll hunt you down when next in LA.

Lots of love and best wishes for the future,
Mary

hey great news, congrats!

Grats Ken, good luck, this is a good chance to really show off some creativity

Sounds like a great opportunity and a much more satisfying creative outlet. No more writing about titty sites - woo hoo!

I'm always in favor of guys pursuing their dreams, go go go

Hey everyone!

Thanx so much for the lovely posts of support. It is much appreciated.

To answer Lee's question, I'm well aware of the fact that Specialty is up for sale, but as 'Pistol' said, the Specialty properties will more than likely be around for a long time. Specialty is not the division that's in bankruptcy. Regardless of any press releases issued, it's public knowledge that all four of the Specpub mags are, in fact, solid money-makers. I have confidence that making this move will work out for me in the long run. It will provide me with some much-needed on-the-job training in terms of some of the more editorial duties I haven't been exposed to here at AVN, and it will require a level of responsibility that I have been jonesing to put forward for quite a while now. The editor has assured me that all four publications are being sold as a package deal, and that all efforts will be made to retain the same staff. If the magazines are still profitable (and there is no reason to doubt that they will be, given their profit records), then hopefully the new owners will see the value in keeping the staff that has made them so successful. :)

Congrats Ken!

Is anyone replacing your position at AVN? Will we get another rep posting here on GWW?

Congratulations Ken I wish the best for you at your new job!! :cheerleader:

Congrats Ken,

I wish you all the best at SP. Nice to see you'll still be kicking around the biz.

Michael

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Xstr8guy

Congrats Ken!

Is anyone replacing your position at AVN? Will we get another rep posting here on GWW?

---

There will be new associate editors hired, for sure, but I don't know if any of them are gay or will be canvasing the boards looking for gay news.

But, as I will still be writing for AVN Online on a freelance basis--and because it would be good for me in my job at Specialty to know what's going on in the gay industry, I imagine that I'll still be lurking around these parts from time to time.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by XXXWriterDude

There will be new associate editors hired, for sure, but I don't know if any of them are gay or will be canvasing the boards looking for gay news.

But, as I will still be writing for AVN Online on a freelance basis--and because it would be good for me in my job at Specialty to know what's going on in the gay industry, I imagine that I'll still be lurking around these parts from time to time.

---

What will happen to GayVN then?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Xstr8guy

What will happen to GayVN then?

---

What do you mean? I have nothing to do with GAYVN. I work exclusively for AVN Online. GAYVN isn't going anywhere.

GAYVN's ad guy, Jeff Rosenberg, might still come here and look at things if he has the time (or the patience). And I'll certainly inform the new editor, Harker, about the site, but I can't promise he'll have time to frequent it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by XXXWriterDude

What do you mean? I have nothing to do with GAYVN. I work exclusively for AVN Online. GAYVN isn't going anywhere.

GAYVN's ad guy, Jeff Rosenberg, might still come here and look at things if he has the time (or the patience). And I'll certainly inform the new editor, Harker, about the site, but I can't promise he'll have time to frequent it.

---

I guess i haven't followed your career close enough to notice. I mistakenly thought you were a major part of GayVN. Sorry if I offended you.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Xstr8guy

I guess i haven't followed your career close enough to notice. I mistakenly thought you were a major part of GayVN. Sorry if I offended you.

---

You didn't offend me at all. Did I sound cranky? Sorry, didn't mean to. That wasn't the tone in my head when I was typing that out at all. But with as many times as I've spoken only of AVN Online on here, you'd think people would have remembered after two years. ;)

Anyway, there are four properties that we put out: AVN, GAYVN, AVN Online and ANB. Additionally, there is the mainstream publication IAB. They are five distinctly different publications, though sometimes stories are shared, but rarely. Each magazine has its own dedicated staff of writers and editors, though they tend to share sales reps. Does that help?

Hey Congrats on the move Ken! I hope it brings you much happiness! Specialty will be blessed to have you.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by XXXWriterDude

You didn't offend me at all. Did I sound cranky? Sorry, didn't mean to. That wasn't the tone in my head when I was typing that out at all. But with as many times as I've spoken only of AVN Online on here, you'd think people would have remembered after two years. ;)

Anyway, there are four properties that we put out: AVN, GAYVN, AVN Online and ANB. Additionally, there is the mainstream publication IAB. They are five distinctly different publications, though sometimes stories are shared, but rarely. Each magazine has its own dedicated staff of writers and editors, though they tend to share sales reps. Does that help?

---

I was completely unaware that these were considered separate entities. :embarassed:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Xstr8guy

I was completely unaware that these were considered separate entities. :embarassed:

---

It seems to be a common misperception that AVN is a blanket term for all the other properties. Obviously, as you can see now, that's not the case. I'm actually employed by Teddy Communications, not AVN Inc. AVN Online is a Teddy property. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by XXXWriterDude

There will be new associate editors hired, for sure, but I don't know if any of them are gay or will be canvasing the boards looking for gay news.

---

Glad you found an outlet for your wonderful writing style. You are SO VERY easy to read even in whiplash mode.

I enjoyed your writing, as an employee of AVN, many times defending the company from attacks from Lee. I did not see a reason why you defended the company that employed you, you not having the answers.

As you hinted, I would not be surprised of a program opened with you helping to steer it's way to success, with all of the contacts you have made.

I think you job move will release your creative talents. As what you wrote, with several associate editors suddenly moving on... I hope they are as lucky as you.

Hey Ken

Congrats on the new job. The guys over at SP are wonderful. I am sure that you will be happy working with them. What an exciting change for you. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wnc

Glad you found an outlet for your wonderful writing style. You are SO VERY easy to read even in whiplash mode.

I enjoyed your writing, as an employee of AVN, many times defending the company from attacks from Lee. I did not see a reason why you defended the company that employed you, you not having the answers.

As you hinted, I would not be surprised of a program opened with you helping to steer it's way to success, with all of the contacts you have made.

I think you job move will release your creative talents. As what you wrote, with several associate editors suddenly moving on... I hope they are as lucky as you.

---

Thanx for the nice note. :)

As for defending AVN, that's a no-brainer. They are my employers. But I'd stand up for anyone who's being unfairly attacked in this industry, because the fact is that I care. Sometimes I care too much, which is something that people tend to take advantage of, but oh well... that's just how I am. ;)

congrats on the new job , here's wishing you continued success!. :thumbsup:

jim

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mgillis

Ken, Darling! Congratulations!

What a great step for you, and I know that they are getting something very special bringing you on board!

You better keep in touch, my friend, or I'll hunt you down when next in LA.

Lots of love and best wishes for the future,
Mary

---

As Dorothy Gale once said, "I think I'll miss you most of all, [Mary Gillis]." Sniff sniff... ;)

Especially with you, Mary, this is not goodbye. We are friends forevah! You my woman! :)

Congrats Ken it has always been fun hanging out at the shows. Good luck on your new position.

Mark

Congratulations :elvis:

Congrats on your new avenue! Good luck! I will see you around I am sure. :-)