Document text
3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Barking up the wrong tree ... Guest Opinion: Why Republicans oppose the Iran agreement ... Attorney general investigating Klamath County Sheriff's Office ... Our View: Barking up the wrong tree ... Guest Opinion: Why Republicans oppose the Iran agreement ... Attorney general investigating Klamath County Sheriff's Office ... QUILLS & QUEUES Quills & Queues: Author pitches book project in under a minute McClintock's memoir deals with her gay father Ashland author Karen McClintock crafted a pitch about her book project that is short enough to deliver during an elevator ride By Vickie Aldous For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Vickie Aldous For the Tidings Posted Aug. 21, 2015 @ 12:01 am By Vickie Aldous For the Tidings Posted Aug. 21, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2324,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Ashland author Karen McClintock crafted a pitch about her book project that is short enough to deliver during an elevator ride. This month she won top honors in an "elevator pitch" contest at a Portland conference for authors and literary agents. McClintock's 45-second elevator pitch describes "My Father's Closet," a memoir that chronicles her journey to uncover the truth about her gay father, a World War II veteran who was married and had children. Her elevator pitch is a condensed version of a longer pitch she gave in speed-dating style meetings with agents at the conference. "You have about six to eight minutes to explain the book, your background and why you can sell a million books," she said. "When I met with agents for the longer pitches, it was nice to be able to say I won the elevator pitch contest." Already a published author of nonfiction books about church congregations and sexuality, McClintock is in the midst of hunting for a publisher for "My Father's Closet." McClintock learned about her father's secret identity when she found a box in an attic that contained a journal her father penned when he was a high school senior. He wrote about the early days of his courtship with McClintock's mother — then described a sexual experience he had with a man. During WWII, he was stationed in New York City, tasked with watching out for invading submarines. After the war, McClintock's parents married. "They went ahead and got married because that's what you did back then," McClintock said. McClintock's father had a long-term intimate relationship with a man while he was married. He went to Broadway shows every year with his "friend" — leaving behind playbills from the trips in the attic. Still, he remained loyal to his family and did not abandon his children, McClintock said. Her father was grief-stricken when his intimate partner died in a plane crash over Central America. McClintock said she hopes "My Father's Closet" will encourage people to be open about their sexual orientation. At the same time, the book provides historical insight into events and attitudes through the decades that forced people to stay in the closet. Both her parents have passed away. McClintock said she believes her father would have been amazed by the recent Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage across the country. "He wants me to share his story. I feel like Dad and I are celebrating," she said. For more information about "My Father's Closet" and McClintock's journey to uncover the truth, visit karenmcclintockauthor.com . Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . By Vickie Aldous For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Vickie Aldous For the Tidings Posted Aug. 21, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501