Leaving AVN...

[XXXWriterDude]

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

[Alex_Manifest_M]

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!

[TropixxxStudios]

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

[deanb]

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

[Bec]

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

[Lee]

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

[Pistol]

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.

[HotMaleVideos]

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

[gaybucks_chip]

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.

[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

[Chilihost]

hey great news, congrats!

[Ethan Masters]

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

[LavenderLounge]

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

[gayporncowboy]

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

[XXXWriterDude]

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.