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ladylooch · 3 months

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Afterthoughts and Misunderstandings - [Liv X Luca]

A/N: Part 2 of Liv and Luca's angst! ICYMI or need a refresh, part 1 is here.

Word Count: 3.2k

Part 1 | Part 3| Part 4

Although we understand school is a priority, we hope you are taking time to focus seriously on this next project. What you submitted today was nowhere near the quality of the writer that you are. We will chat more next month.

Liv scans over the words again in her parked car. Deep in the innards of her apartment building, embarrassed tears sting her eyes. The words came in an email from her editor. Two weeks ago, she submitted the first quarter of her book and the outline for the remaining pages. It was not well received by anyone on her support team. Their recommendation? Start from scratch. As if Liv hadn’t spent over 200 hours curating the pages she sent in for review.

Deflated doesn’t even begin to describe how she feels.

Liv received the feedback in the Whole Foods parking lot. She had been gathered groceries and was getting off the phone with Luca as the email came zipping into her inbox. Luca had to run to a flight for the start of his East Coast road trip. It is still six days before he comes to New York to round out his road trip with both teams. Those six days are going to crawl by. Liv is in desperate need of his comforting arms, to feel his heartbeat beneath her cheek so she can forget the failure clutching at her throat.

She feels numb and distraught all at the same time while she rides the elevator up to her floor. The doors open. Liv pauses in the steel doorway, seeing Ryder Hughes slumped against her front door. His back is against it, head resting back toward the ceiling. One leg is curled into a bend with his wrist hanging off his knee. The other leg stretches across the hallway, almost consuming the whole width of the space.

Liv has not seen Ryder since their almost kiss in this very hallway three days ago. She has been avoiding him. He knows it, so does she. But now he is here and somehow, Liv is expected to have this interaction when she just got dealt the biggest blow of her short writer’s career.

Ryder hears the ruffle of her bags and turns his face towards her. He pops up immediately, jogging down to grab her bags.

“I can..” Liv stops because Ryder has already taken all of them from her. “Okay.” She adjusts her keys in her hand, shoving them into the lock and opening her apartment door. Ryder follows behind, then goes to the kitchen to put her bags down. He immediately begins unloading them for her. “Ry.”

“If I’m being helpful, you can’t kick me out.” He jokes, grinning as he pulls out some Liquid IV. Liv stands in the living room, looking back at him with cautious eyes. “I’m sorry. I was really out of line on Saturday. I can’t even use the alcohol excuse either.” Ryder pauses with a big grapefruit in his hand. He studies her with intense blue eyes. “Are you okay?”

As is standard anytime someone asks her that, Liv immediately begins to cry. Because no. Nothing about what she is feeling in her body is okay. Her slender fingers come to her eyes. She presses into her black eyelashes to gather her tears, shoulders quivering with her impending sobs.

“Livy.” Ryder murmurs. His arms wrap around her whole body, hands resting on her back ribs. He pauses, feeling her shake harder. His hands rub up her back. Then he presses his nose into the strands of her brown hair. Liv sighs heavily, which pushes her deeper into his body. She moves her hands from her face, winding them around his back to fully accept his hug.

They stay like that for several minutes. Ryder sways them a few times, rocking to soothe her sobs. Eventually, Liv sniffs, pulling back to wipe at her face.

“Sorry.” She mumbles with downcast eyes.

“Hey, no need to apologize.” He assures her. His hands slide down to her hips, waiting as she collects herself more. She wipes under her nose with her palm.

“I’m not having a good day.”

“I’ve gathered.” He responds supportively. “Tell me what’s going on.” Liv sighs, sniffling again. Slowly, she moves her eyes up to his face. His concern is evident, eyebrows pulled low over blue eyes and creases are forming in the corners of his frown.

“I suck at writing.” Surprise fills his face.

“News to me?”

“I do.” Liv slumps her shoulders down, looking away. Ryder squeezes her hips to keep her in place. “I sent in what I have for my second book and they roasted it. They think I should scrap it and start over!” Her voice escalates the longer she talks. “I’ve worked so hard on this, Ry. For them to think it sucks kills me.”

“So tell them you’re not doing that.”

“What?”

“Tell them you’re not scraping it. That you believe in the direction of your work and you’re going to see that through.”

“It isn’t that simple. They have a say in what I produce.”

“Fuck that, Livy. Your first book was all you. That is what your audience wants to read. Your voice. Not 10 people in a boardroom who have a different vision. Write it your way.” Liv tucks her bottom lip into her mouth, rolling her tongue against it.

“I don’t think I am brave enough to do that.”

“You are. You have already proven that. You are already a published author. That is the bravest thing I have ever seen. Creating and letting people consume it. You’ve got big balls.”

“Big balls?” She laughs, shaking her head.

“Sorry, it was the quickest analogy that came to me.” He reaches up, smoothing her hair down the sides of her face while cupping her damp cheeks. “You are amazing. Your work matters. I’m really proud of you.”

Awareness of everything hits Liv at once. The smell of his cologne goes up her nose like the other night. His warm palms transfer heat into her cheeks. Their faces tilted inwards to each other. Conflict begins to writhe in Liv’s stomach. The push and pull of what she knows and has with Luca and the curiosity of Ryder. His gaze surveys her face, then with a heavy sigh, he steps back from her completely. Liv stays glued in place. Ryder returns to the counter, unpacking more of her groceries.

“Go change.” He says without looking at her. “I’ll keep doing this.”

Liv nods, even though he doesn’t see, and walks to her bedroom. There, she pulls on loungewear- a plain t-shirt, her dad’s Swiss hockey sweatshirt along with a pair of Lio’s club team sweatpants he wanted to get rid of when they still lived in their home in Switzerland. The comfort of the familiar, worn cotton blankets her skin. She goes to scrub off her makeup, then presses a cool washcloth to her eyes and cheeks to relieve the redness from crying.

She returns to the living room, finding Ryder watching TV on her couch. He has taken off his shoes and jacket, tossing them by her entryway bench. There are two cups of tea steeping on the coffee table. He greets her with a small smile. Liv goes to the other side of the couch, curling her feet up next to her butt. The movie on the screen is Barbie starring Margot Robbie. Liv smiles.

“Thought this would inspire you a bit.” He shrugs. He is right, it does. So much so that she decides she isn’t going to tell anyone else about the feedback. Because they’re wrong about what they said. Ryder is right- this is hers. She can create whatever she wants because she has already done this before. This is her creation, her baby, hers to flop or soar with. She will use her gift with words to tell her publishing team to shove it.

The sunsets over the city. Barbie ends and they ordering big bowls of pasta to share for dinner along with tiramisu and garlic bread. They decide to watch another movie once they are finished eating. Ryder picks this time, some Netflix original that is supposed to be a thrilling and wicked twister.

Partially through the next movie, Ryder’s hand moves over to Liv’s foot. His thumb works deep presses into the arch of her foot then into the big pads below her toes. Finally, Liv surrenders both feet into his lap. He works them over until she is asleep next to him. Ryder finishes the movie, then clicks the TV off. Darkness absorbs Liv’s apartment. The moonlight splices across her cheek, nose, and slightly open mouth. She looks at peace for the first time since he saw her in the hallway.

Gently, Ryder gathers her into his arms. She curls into him in her sleep, gripping his shirt and nuzzling her cheek into his shoulder. He puts Liv in the center of her unmade bed, another clue at how tumultuous she has been the last few days. She always makes her bed. Liv slides her feet under the covers. Ryder grabs the edge of the comforter, concealing Liv beneath it. Her hand reaches out for his wrist as he rubs her head goodnight.

“Stay.” She murmurs groggily. Ryder hesitates. The room gets so quiet that Liv wonders if he snuck out and she missed it in her sleepy haze. Her blue eyes open, seeing Ryder standing next to her bed, frozen with indecision.

“Are you sure?”

“Mhm.” She sighs, flipping open the other side of the comforter. Ryder cautiously walks over to her dresser. He grabs a pair of sweatpants of hers that he knows he fits into because they used to be her brother’s. He changes fast, then maneuvers under the covers. Liv stays curled on her right side, but reaches her hand back. Ryder laces their fingers together. Quickly, Liv’s hand goes limp in his signaling she is asleep.

Ryder is up for hours, watching and listening to her breathe next to him. He is just falling asleep when Liv rolls over in her slumber. She finds the warmth of his side, curling into him and sighing. Her hand comes to his stomach, anchoring there with a light grip, right above his belly button.

He looks over at her. Dark brown hair splays across her pillow. Her breathing is light, lips perfectly plumped, and he becomes aware of exactly how fucked he is.

Because he is in love with Luca Fiala’s girlfriend.

And there is no way in hell she loves him back.

- - -

The following morning, Ryder and Liv awaken around the same time because of trucks honking outside her bedroom window. Liv opens one eye first, taking in the sleepy hockey player as he wiggles himself awake.

“Mmm, hi.” He mumbles, putting his nose on her bicep and sighing. “Don’t wanna get up.”

“Yeah.” Liv sighs, putting a lazy hand in his hair. For the next half hour, they doze in and out of sleep together, staying in the same position. Their legs are resting by each other. Their warm skin collects pink from each other’s body heat. Then, the reality of needing to join the world settles over them with Ryder’s daily practice alarm.

“I gotta get moving.” He mutters, resentful of having to leave her bed.

“Me too. I have class.” Liv yawns loudly, then rolls to her back, separating them completely.

She reaches for her phone, seeing a handful of texts from Luca. She glances at Ryder as he stretches at the side of the bed. His sweatshirt rides up considerably, showcasing his muscular body in the soft morning sun. A happy trail of dark hair disappears beneath the waistband of his clothes. Liv’s eyes drift down, seeing the maroon and gold M on his left thigh.

Liv freezes, realizing he is wearing her boyfriend’s pants. Betrayal chokes her throat. What is she doing? This is so inappropriate. Everything about last night was inappropriate. God, she yelled at Luca for having another girl in his bed while he slept on the couch. She invited Ryder to sleep with her last night. Panicked, she slowly sits up, pulling out the rest of her disheveled ponytail.

“Want to meet up for lunch on campus? I still dream about that Italian deli you took me to.”

“I can’t.” She says, keeping her back to him. She works her hair back into a fresh pony tail, raking her fingers through the ends for a quick brush.

“Oh okay.” He clears his throat. “Maybe later in the week.”

“Luca is coming into town.” Liv stands, pulling her sweatshirt down so it covers her body completely. She folds her arms over her chest.

“Yeah, I know. He is coming to play me.” He chuckles. “But that’s not for a few days.”

“Well, I have to get things done before he gets here so I can spend time with him.” A twitch flickers close to the hinge of his jaw. Ryder sighs, running a frustrated hand over his face.

“What is happening right now?” She shrugs back at him. Ryder’s hand falls, slapping the gold outlined M on his thigh.

“Can you take those off please.” Ryder looks down, seeing the same logo. In the morning light, it is clear these were not the pants he thought he grabbed. He thrust the waistband down, then strides to where his jeans are still pooled on the ground. He wrestles them up his thighs and his belt closed.

“Liv, nothing happened last night.”

“It doesn’t feel that way to me.” She holds her throat, looking terrified back at him.

“You invited me into bed.” He says slowly, resenting the way she looks at him. Like he crossed a line.

“That was a mistake.”

“We’ve been making a lot of mistakes lately…” He rambles off, putting his phone in his pocket.

“This has to stop.” Liv practically begs.

“I don’t want it to.”

“Ry, please.” Liv closes her eyes, inhaling heavily as her nostrils flare from distress.

“Livy, I’m in lo-”

“Stop!” Liv yells. Her heavy, terrified panting fills the room. “Don’t say it. You will ruin this.”

“It already is ruined. Because I love you.”

Liv goes rigid except her quivering bottom lip. Because I love you, because I love you, because I love you. It plays in a loop over and over again, drowning out the city noise below, running through her brain like the ticker in Times Square.

“I wish you didn’t.” She hisses through gnashed teeth.

“Me too.” He confesses, then walks out of her room.

In his wake, he leaves Liv and her entire world lopsided.

- - -

The ticking of the light blue clock on Liv’s desk fills the living room. Liv has been trying to work on her paper for two hours now, but her thoughts keep drifting to Ryder and earlier this morning. Guilt scratches and mars at her consciousness until it becomes impossible to make progress on her school work. For the fifth time in an hour, she tosses her pen from where she was trying to handwrite her outline. She looks over at her phone, seeing it light up with another text from Ryder. She swipes across his name, muting his notifications for the day.

She doesn’t want to talk to him.

She needs to talk to Luca, but he is at morning skate in Buffalo.

Worst case, she will tell him before his game against the Islanders. Liv knows this is less than ideal timing, but she owes him an explanation. From her, not anyone else.

She opens her phone, texting Luca again to call her as soon as he can.

Liv waits for his call the entire day, altering her plans with her brother to make sure she is home and ready for the difficult conversation they are going to have. But Luca’s never arrives. Not after practice, or after his pre-game nap, and now she watches him on the screen in Buffalo, again without a care in the world.

How does he keep doing this with her? How does she line up last to everything in his world when he rules hers?

In frustration, she flips the game off after the second period. The Wild are down by one, but her mood is not in it for the night. Instead, she takes a self-care shower, smearing on her skin care, snuggling into bed to read her book, before tossing her phone on sleep mode.

He won’t call anyway, she lies to herself.

The next morning, she has a handful of text messages from him and about thirty from Ryder.

Hi baby, I’m so sorry I didn’t call yesterday. Things have been crazy. I’ll tell you about it when I see you. I love you! Goodnight 😘

I wish you were here, baby, I can’t sleep without you. I’m having withdrawals.

Heads up, I am on Amazon passing the time. Can’t sleep. Pray for my credit card. But, I needed a new screen protector for my phone. I ordered one to be delivered to your place tomorrow morning. Can you bring it with you to the game? Thank you! I hope this doesn’t wake you up 🙈

This furrows her eyebrows. Why wouldn’t she bring it to him tonight? When she sees him for dinner?

Good morning 🥱 Yes, I’ll grab the screen protector for you. But I thought I was seeing you tonight?

Luca calls her immediately. She stretches, then clicks the button, murmuring a sleepy hello.

“Baby, I have bad news. Please don’t kill me.”

“What?”

“I am not going to make dinner tonight. Mandatory team building. We are going to dinner and a concert at MSG. But maybe we can get coffee tomorrow morning?”

“I have classes.”

“Well, could you skip them?”

“No, Luca. I can’t. I have a group presentation and a test in the next class. Also, I don’t appreciate you asking me that. I don’t tell you to skip morning skate when I’m in town because I understand hockey is your job.”

“Whoa, okay. I was just asking.”

“Well, don’t. What I am doing is just as important as what you’re doing.”

“Baby, I never said it wasn’t.” He says defensively.

“You literally…” Liv trails off, running an annoyed hand through her hair. “Whatever. It doesn’t matter.”

“I’m sorry.” He tries. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just miss you.” Misses her but won’t make time for her when they’re in the same city. It’s hard to swallow that right now, even as she tries to understand that there are some obligations he cannot miss.

“I know.” She fills in.

“This is shit timing, but we are about to get to the rink for practice.”

“You’re skating in the morning of a back to back?”

“Yeah. Did you watch last night?”

“Um, I fell asleep.” She admits sheepishly.

“That’s okay. We did too.” He jokes. “It was bad and this punishment is well deserved. I gotta go, babe.”

“Hey, wait, I need to.. uh… talk to you about something.” She says, picking at a snag in the comforter with her blue nail.

“Okay, can we talk after the game?” Liv hesitates.

Future her would smack her in the face if she could. But present Liv doesn’t see the issue.

So she agrees.

“Yes, that’s fine.”

“Okay, I love you baby.” He murmurs sweetly.

“I love you too.” She responds, having no idea what the next 48 hours will bring.

Read more Liv and Luca here.

#liv x luca #hockey fan fiction #hockey writing #nhl imagine #nhl fan fiction

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literaticat · 10 months

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Pardon me if Im not understanding re: that big breakout ask, but why wouldn't all editors always want books they believe could be big breakouts? It doesn't serve anyone if they're sure the book would be small, does it? It's another thing if they bet on the wrong horse but I sort of assumed that no one would buy or rep anything they don't think could be huge. Is that wrong?

ICYMI, the asker is referring to this question from a few days ago.

Yes and no? I would say all editors (and agents) would like for their books to be successful, of course -- but "success" can be measured in lots of ways, and there are lots of TYPES of books and readers in this wide world of ours. Different imprints/publishers have different needs and expectations.

If a publisher is publishing, IDK, highly literary or esoteric works, "success" would look like getting some good reviews from the right kind of literary or cultural figure, and becoming lauded by cognescenti -- they aren't TRYING to mix around with hoi polloi.

If they are publishing books about some niche topic, they are hoping that everyone who could ever want to know about that topic will get the book, but they aren't expecting that to be literally EVERYONE.

Some publishers, on the other hand, really focus on highly commercial books for a mass audience -- thrillers, romance, fun fantasy -- the kinds of books you see not only at bookstores, but at the airport, big box store, supermarket. There's nothing wrong with that AT ALL, hooray and more power to them -- but you can totally understand why expectations would be a little different for that kind of book than for say, a book of children's poetry about glow worm habitats. Even if the glow worm book exceeds expectations -- it's simply not gonna be sold by the dozen in the airport.

But the publisher always knew that the glow worm book would have a more limited audience and would not be a "huge" book. (That's why the glow worm author got a much much much lower advance than the highly commercial romance author!) -- The agent knew. Hopefully the writer understood that, as well. NONE of them were watching the bestseller lists waiting for glow worm to show up. Should they not have published it at all? Nah. Success just looks different for different kinds of books!

(Success in the glow worm's case is a long-term thing. Success means it gets a starred review or two, maybe wins an award, it gets on some state lists and over the course of years finds its way into school curriculum and stays in print for ages and ages and teaches lots of kids about the power of the glow worm. Maybe it becomes your kid's FAVORITE book? Maybe it inspires little Matilda to become a poet and scientist? It finds its audience. But it's simply never going to be selling on par with Colleen Hoover!)

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druidx · 9 months

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A Year of Writing - 2023 Writing Wrap-up

➼ Quick Stats

Total words Written in 2023: 75,022

Average Words/Work (published): 2501

Started in 2023: 24 works

Finished in 2023 (started anytime): 22 works

Published in 2023 (started anytime): 22 works

Number of Works still in Progress (started anytime): 77

Mostly wrote in: February (8 works edited, 5 published)

Longest work completed or added to in 2023: The Ruby Falls (179,282)

Shortest work completed or added to in 2023: It's Fashion, Boss (357)

Top Genres: Sci-Fi (13 - just pinching out Fantasy at 12)

Top WIP(s): The Ruby Falls and Young Dagger, False Dream (previously named Alexis Dalliance vs the Evil of Titan)

Top OC(s): Aderyn, Mio (10 fics each)

Below the cut: Review of 2023's Plans, Work I'm proud of, Work that shows I'm still learning, Breakdown of 2023, Plans for 2024, ICYMI

➼ What were my writing plans for 2023?

❌ Post The Ruby Falls Nope. I'm closer, but still no cigar. I've edited 1.75 sections, bringing the total complete-&-almost-ready-to-post sections to 5/15.

✅ Finish stuff Yes! I completed 7 works this year which were started before 2023, the oldest of which was Tales of the Starbound - The Old-Timer's Tale from 2015.

❌ Post more 'For Posterity' items Nope. Forgot + no time + burn out/ no energy

❌ Study Romance? Nope. Forgot this was a goal TBH

❌ Read more Nope. Last year I read 10 books, this year I've only read 5 (not counting fanfics). I did try, but yeah. (My Storygraph if you're interested)

✅ IDK, everything beyond The Ruby Falls is flexible currently. Technically, this one is complete! 😅️

➼ Work I'm most proud of

Home That Our Feet May Leave, But Not Our Hearts (Starbound) This was an experiment in writing a time loop, and also changing tenses through a story. It may not have been 100% perfect, but I feel like I learnt a lot writing it and I'm really happy how it came out.

Greetings After a Long Departure (TESIV:Oblivion) I thought long and hard about how it must feel to touch the statue and gain the Blessing of Akatosh, and I'm pleased that the description really came off as well as it did.

➼ Work that shows I'm still learning

I think maybe I'm stuck in the 'taste vs ability' trough. Aside from the two above, and maybe Two Foxes (TESIV:Oblivion), I feel like there's been some je ne sais quoi missing from my writing this year. I joined Writeblr to learn and grow as a writer, so if anyone has any tips or ConCrit I'd love to hear it. I really don't want to plateau again.

➼ Breakdown of 2023

I traveled a lot this year. Denmark, Albania, Scotland, Denmark again, and off again to Denmark for Christmas. It's for sure been inspiring, but it's also been exhausting and hasn't left me much brain-space for writing. Not to mention that 2nd day of holiday in Scotland I got "bitten by a Haggis", and spent the next 3 months healing a hole in my shin, and I'm still recovering from that. With all the traveling, maybe this year should have been a 'feed the well' year instead of struggling to finish works I didn't have the energy for. Ah well.

That said, I did quite well with my PodFic project. 50 Fics were recorded and ~80 still remain.

➼ What are my writing plans for 2024?

IDK. The future is a foreign country (to paraphrase L. P. Hartley).

Continue hacking away at The Ruby Falls and whatever else catches my fancy.

Eat more red meat/ protein. Can't write if your brain doesn't function.

Figure out what je ne sais quoi missing from my writing.

Pick up abandoned projects. To whit, 'For Posterity' items and Podfics.

➼ In Case You Missed It

Starbound

Tales of the Starbound - The Old-Timer's Tale - 1,616 words. A day in the life of Quihui & contemplation of Caseswing's building regime. Tumblr or AO3

Home That Our Feet May Leave, But Not Our Hearts - 3,212. Mio, the Last Protector, attends her graduation. The only problem? Earth no longer exists. Tumblr or AO3

You Never Forget Your First - 712. In the dead of night, Kata finds her Captain alone on the bridge, singing a mournful tune... Tumblr or AO3

Crasberry Saviour - 761. During a trip to buy ship parts, Yuudai reveals how she lost her leg. Tumblr or AO3

An Ancient Vault - 389. Mio falls down a hole and discovers an Ancient vault. Tumblr

Look Back, by Looking Forwards - 1,653. Mio helps one of her crew celebrate a religious event. Tumblr or AO3

Aurorabee - 406. Mio goes clothes shopping with her mother. Tumblr or AO3

Original Works

Mouth of Silver - 781. A courier comes across some unsavory creatures while making his way through the woods. Tumblr

A Cryptid Files Short - 404. A hedge witch provides potions of safety. Tumblr

TESIV: Oblivion - Vanilla

Greetings After a Long Departure - 1,014. Rowan gets a sweet surprise when xe finally returns to the Temple of the One. Tumblr or AO3

Two Foxes - 500. The new Grey Fox goes a-visiting to Castle Anvil for some advice. Tumblr or AO3

A Light in the Darkness - 619. Travelogue writer Arkved of Cheydinhal describes another local Cyrodilic festival. Tumblr or AO3

TESIV: Oblivion - Modern AU

It's Fashion, Boss - 357. Aderyn arrives to an event in a snit with the Grey Fox over his time management skills; he teases her about her fashion sense. Tumblr or AO3

A Little Something-Something - 1,459. Aderyn brings Jena to a GFS charity 'meeting'. Tumblr or AO3

A Floral Surprise - 728. On the morning of Martin & Baurus' Anniversary, Aderyn and Belisarius lay out flowers and gifts, conscripted by their respective friends. Tumblr or AO3

Night Exercises - 2,407. Fortis runs a training exercise for Aderyn at night. Tumblr or AO3

Get up - 1,016. Martin and Baurus sneak away from a gala event, only for a detonation to rock their world… Tumblr or AO3

Self Indulgent AU - 18,102. HoK is adamant she knows who her parents are. The Mythic Dawn thinks differently. Who is right? Tumblr or AO3

#meta writing #meta wandering words #end of year review #ayearofwriting2023 #writing review #Post scheduled on 10 Dec - some stats may be out of date #CW unreality - Haggis aren't real. I'm just not going to tell you how I was injured because it's stupid.

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rtothe3rd · 2 years

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I made an AI write a review for a book about Joe Biden's history as a male stripper

Joe Biden's career as a male stripper will now get its own book. Advertisement Via News.com.au:

American publisher St Martin's Press has acquired the rights to Sex, God, Guns & Jesus, the book that details Vice President Joe Biden's career as a male exotic dancer in the 1980s. The book was released in August by Simon and Schuster and sold 32,000 copies and earned glowing reviews from most of the media. Biden wrote the book with his son Hunter, which the New York Times called an "unrelentingly upbeat" look at his time as a Delaware senator and then White House staffer. For obvious reasons, the Daily Beast had some thoughts on Biden being portrayed as the patron saint of chastity, and whether that was really necessary: No matter how much the vice president insists he is no longer pursuing a political career, or how quickly he claims to have moved on from the bar, there's a lot of lingering questions that linger in the bookshelves and blogs, waiting to be answered:

Over the past few months, rumors have swirled that Hunter Biden might be the only person who knows how a son of a single, childless politician could find himself involved with someone much older, in a relationship that has its fair share of "will they, won't they" chemistry, and which is currently going through its share of growing pains and minor blow ups. Will the relationship ever lead to marriage? Will the younger Biden ever choose a career other than politics? After the relationship between Biden and Jill Smyth broke up in 2012, it seems like these were some of the questions that needed to be answered. Now, though, the book will be released in November.

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As for who's really gonna want to read that one, I'm not sure. But hey, what do I know?

Update 1:11 p.m. EDT: St Martin's Press has released a statement on their blog explaining their decision:

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The publisher has acquired the book for its "non-fiction fiction and biography divisions." President of St Martin's Press, Rick Galen, said in the statement, "Joe Biden's career as a male exotic dancer will now have a new chapter, and we are proud to publish it." While we have editorial processes in place to ensure that no skeletons in a politician's closet remain undiscovered, we respect the choice of the Vice President and hope this decision will enable him to avoid further speculation and focus on the important matters before Congress. The statement did not reference or acknowledge the troubling assertions by the book's author that Joe Biden was known as "Crazy Joe" and was given the nickname "Fart to understand" by his partners. Meanwhile, those claiming that Joe Biden was a "strip club guy" in the 1980s can celebrate the fact that their wish has finally been granted.

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UPDATE 2:29 p.m. EDT: Time has reached out to St. Martin's Press for comment on whether the book will include any false allegations or have any proven false statements. So far, no response has been provided. Additional reporting by Charlie Jane Anders. UPDATE 2:32 p.m. EDT:

Advertisement Advertisement ICYMI

Joe Biden is finally out of office. But this evening, reports claim that an anonymous White House insider has claimed that Joe Biden is "secretly considering" a 2020 presidential run. UPDATE 2:36 p.m. EDT:

Your browser does not support HTML5 video tag.Click here to view original GIF GIF: Gizmodo

UPDATE 2:36 p.m. EDT:

In a new statement, St. Martin's Press addresses the claims that it "extracted Biden from a solemn promise to his late son" and distanced itself from the book. Here's the statement: We are unaware of any current plans to publish this book. However, it was not published or purchased by the publisher. It is a hoax. Joe Biden did not publish this book, did not purchase it, and has no involvement in it. We take our legal obligations seriously and have conducted a thorough investigation into the matter. Any attempts to deceive the publisher will be met with legal action. That said, the publisher did not respond to our requests for comment on whether they were aware that the book was billed as "true to the few confidential experiences that Biden shares with others" (note: this does not count sexual encounters with prostitutes), or whether they were aware that the book contained fabricated statements from the family of former vice president Walter Mondale.

Advertisement [St. Martin's Press]

PREVIOUSLY: As the internet waits with bated breath for Joe Biden to confirm the rumor that he's running for president in 2020, we've gone back to 1988 to look at the seven best lies Joe Biden has ever told. After a 40 year career in politics, the former Vice President Joe Biden announced today that he will not run for president. Joe Biden has spent his career telling lies, but now, at 74, he says he's ready to be President of the United States. If only it was that easy. After his wife of 46 years, Dr. Jill Biden, who has decided not to run, he has two small children and two teenage grandchildren. He's also an accomplished novelist. After spending the last 6 years being treated for cancer, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Many things have changed in the last 6 years, but Joe Biden has refused to change much at all.

But this isn't the first time Biden has lied. In fact, it's his nature to tell little white lies here and there. In an interview with Peter Alexander on NBC News he told a whole bunch of lies. Here are the seven best: 1. "I Will Be President" While on the 2008 campaign trail, a young college student asked Joe Biden if he was serious about running for president. Biden responded with a simple "yes." He then added, "I will be president." While it's not unusual for politicians to campaign with an assumption that they'll be running, the phrasing was very sloppy. In reality, after the initial question, Biden thought, "Okay, now that I've got that out of the way...a lot of stuff has happened." Then he added, "I have every intention of being president, but I'll take that one step at a time. Just check." So don't feel too bad for this kid. His question got a straight answer. He just didn't get one that he wanted.

2. The "One Woman Man, Full Time" Lie When a woman claimed that Joe Biden made a pass at her in the 1980s, he denied it. According to GQ's Grantland: When Biden heard that an unnamed woman had accused him of having made a pass at her in the 1980s, he's admitted that he knew he didn't do it, and did something that we all know is Joe Biden's M.O.: He lied. In an exchange that was partially leaked to the media, then-Rep. Patrick Murphy asked Biden, "Did you make a pass at me when you were my age?" Biden answered, "I don't remember any of those things happening." The comment was designed to make it clear that the encounter was unimpressive, and that it wasn't a "real assault" by the standards of the American political world, at least. When pressed further, he said, "I'm not sure if I would characterize it that way. It was — no."

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linguistlist-blog · 9 months

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Review: AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW

ICYMI: The following books are now available for review on the LINGUIST List. If you would like to become a reviewer for one of the books announced in the AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW posting, you will need to follow steps 1-4 explained below: Step 1: Go to https://linguistlist.org/reviews/request Step 2: You will be asked to log in or create an account. Step 3: Update your personal information and add reviewer specific information on why you would be a good reviewer for the books you wish to select. Step http://dlvr.it/T0rtVk

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mjgauthor · 11 months

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ICYMI, Sky's End is now available for request on NetGalley.

This is your chance to potentially get to read Sky's End months in advance.

I'm so thrilled that my book is finding its way into the hands of readers. This is why I write. I crave reader reactions and I hope people connect with these characters, this world, and this story the same way that I have.

Good luck!

#netgalley #arc reader #advance readers copy #fantasy books #ya fantasy #new books #booklr

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rave--reviews · 1 year

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on the couch while watching a movie or reading a book. You can also drape them over the

ICYMI: Title: The Cozy Companion: Exploring the World of Throw Blankets Introduction: Throw blankets are a versatile and beloved addition to... The post on the couch while watching a movie or reading a book. You can also drape them over the appeared first on Rave Reviews. http://dlvr.it/SxQtCP

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its-suanneschafer-author · 5 months

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ICYMI BOOK REVIEW: #InTheShadowOfThePyrenees by #KathrynGauci. A look at daily heroism as the French resistance smuggle refugees into Spain.

#WorldWar2Fiction #FictionSetInEurope #FrenchResistance #Maquis #AmReading #Bookstagram #BookLovers #BookReviews

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handmadegems · 2 years

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ICYMI: New! Book Review and Giveaway : Wire Wrapping Jewelry http://www.beadinggem.com/2022/10/book-review-and-giveaway-wire-wrapping.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr More on the blog!

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penelopefeatherington · 2 years

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I re-read all of sarah maclean’s books in the last two weeks & here’s how they rank , with heart ratings :

nine rules to break when romancing a rake 💖💖💖💖💖

no good duke goes unpunished 💖💖💖💖💖

a scot in the dark 💖💖💖💖💖

heartbreaker 💖💖💖💖💖

the rogue not taken 💖💖💖💖

one good earl deserves a lover 💖💖💖💖

bombshell 💖💖💖💖

eleven scandals to start to win a duke’s heart 💖💖💖💖

brazen & the beast 💖💖💖

wicked & the wallflower 💖💖💖

a rogue by any other name 💖💖💖

ten ways to be adored when landing a lord 💖💖💖

never judge a lady by her cover 💖💖

day of the duchess 💖💖

daring & the duke 💖💖

#sarah maclean #book review.#kind of #icymi i can't stand a grovel novel lmao #this is a controversial list #romance community #romance novels

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loopstagirl · 3 years

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#icymi #book #review #book review #the reckoning #the reckoning review #marisa noelle #marisa noelle review #the reckoning by marisa noelle #the reckoning by marisa noelle review #book blog #book blogger #original writing #loopstagirl

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lunasdonnelly · 4 years

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check out my review of Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins on my blog!

#blog #book review #her royal highness #rachel hawkins #f/f romance #f/f books #her royal highness book review #blog promotion #icymi

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ghostcultmagazine · 2 years

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youtube

Check out our weekly news show! 📰 We cover the major stories of the week in heavy music, rock, and metal news, tour dates, and festivals, New Music Friday, and more! Hosted, written, and co-produced Chief Keefy (https://ift.tt/EgFcatK). Co-produced and Edited by Omar Cordy (https://www.instagram.com/ojcpics). Liquid Death Promo narration by Scott Sommer (https://ift.tt/J6q1Dre). Theme song by Salted Wounds (https://www.instagram.com/saltedwoundsnyc). Fight riff by Fahad Syed (https://www.instagram.com/fahanzi). https://youtu.be/MxTpWhQDBQw RIP Mariusz Lewandowski 🎨 Buy us a Ko-fi and help keep the lights on https://ift.tt/VYdPW9B Features: Nik Nocturnal from YouTube and Termina https://youtu.be/3lih3sExp6Y Also on the Podcast - Nik Nocturnal https://ift.tt/FwndAhT Cody Souza of Hatriot https://youtu.be/zCSBRp8Q8aA Glacially Musical Pouredcast - Time for more @Mötley Crüe https://ift.tt/xK4MDLs Catch up on what you missed this week in the world of Rock and Metal news with our show! #musicnews #rocknews #metalnews #interviews #newmusicfriday #vinylcollector #metalmerch #musicnews #metalnews #rocknews https://youtu.be/nUuFV2Yz-OE This week's sponsor is YOU! Interviews with @Nik Nocturnal , @Hatriot Official , @Glacially Musical does @Mötley Crüe and The Stadium Tour reviewed @Decibel Magazine Metal and Beer fest comes to Denver with Cannibal Corpse, Raw Power Festival is coming soon, Into Darkness Fest is next weekend, @Bloodstockfestivals adds more bands, @FULL TERROR ASSAULT open air update, @Desert Fest Belgium update, @Monolith On the Mesa , @lollapalooza comes back to @Hulu , Karmaggedon Fest Norway books first bands for 2023, Maryland Deathfest gives an update, Trivium books a headline tour, Killswitch Engage to headline Metal Blade Records' 40th Anniversary show, Napalm Death and Brujeria to tour, UDO to tour the world in 2022, The Acacia Strain and YOTK book some dates, Gibby Haynes does a Butthole Surfers tour, Twin Temple and Bridge City Sinners book some shows, Limp Bizkit cancels their European Tour, NEW SLIPKNOT ALBUM YAY, Dead Cross announces a new album, Mike Patton gives an update about about his mental health, Clutch new album news, Ozzy Osbourne makes his San Diego Comic Con Debut, Cinnamon Babe destroys haters and racists, Kerry King to drop first post-Slayer music soon, Apocalyptica covers Beethoven, Rob Zombie drops a trailer for The Munsters movie, Nick Hipa joins God Forbid, Lamb of God's Art Cruz to make his debut on Late night with Seth Meyers, Extra Life returns, Diath (ex Megadeth, Entombed AD, Decapitated, Justin Chancellor of Tool revives a side-project, Devidriver new band members, and in our mailbag - Darkthrone vinyl from Gimme Metal. Time-stamp: 00:00 Intro 00:39 ICYMI 01:20 News 08:05 New Music Friday 09:02 Mailbag 09:45 Outro Get your Apple Airtags and recover your gear if it's stolen! https://amzn.to/3lusaTS Gear we use: - ***These are affiliate links and Ghost Cult makes a small commission on every sale. Set up A: Sony A7 III - https://amzn.to/3tQm422 Tamron 17-28 - https://amzn.to/3ePrlTd Tamron 28-75 - https://amzn.to/3fqCjgY Desview Mavo-P5 Monitor- https://amzn.to/33LlTub Manfrotto Befree Travel Tripod - https://amzn.to/3hxbL0e Set up B: Canon 80D - https://amzn.to/3ye8WqV Sigma MC-11 - https://amzn.to/3brZdU2 Sigma 18-35 - https://amzn.to/3tLlEd7 Tokina 11-16 - https://amzn.to/3bty9Uk Feelworld T7 Monitor - https://amzn.to/2Re9hta Audio: Sound Devices MixPre-3 - https://amzn.to/3tKkJd2 Gearlux XLR Mic Cable - 3 Pack - https://amzn.to/3w3zN6Y Deity D3 Microphone - https://amzn.to/3tRa6W2 Fifine Usb Mic - https://amzn.to/3w8JHEG Lighting: YONGNUO YN600L - https://amzn.to/2QkNrn5 YONGNUO YN300 Air - https://amzn.to/2QjN5gu Dfuse Softbox - https://amzn.to/3uQq4AN Aputure MC - https://amzn.to/3oirFgx NanLite PavoTube II 6C - http://bit.ly/NanLitePavoTubeII Light Stands - https://amzn.to/3uSBl3x 5 in 1 Reflector - https://amzn.to/33KHdjo And our iconic Rope Light https://amzn.to/3ycdmyz For the full list of Ghost Cult gear: http://bit.ly/OJCPicsKit

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