Money's on the Dresser

[tom1980]

I finished reading Christopher Daniel's new book, Money's on the Dresser, today (available here: http://christopher-daniels.com/store/). I had the pleasure of meeting Chris on a trip to Las Vegas a couple of years ago. My session with him wasn't interesting enough to make the book, but he does talk about many other appointments with clients and some appointments that didn't happen. He also tells his side of the story regarding Review #13.

 

Overall, I really enjoyed the book. Chris provides a very personal account of his struggle to come to grips with his sexual identity (including time he spent working for a Christian group trying to help himself and others pray the gay away, during which time they told him his tank top was too revealing and made other guys in the group think gay thoughts). The book is sometimes comical, sometimes heart-wrenching, but always relatable and true. The realism shines through and, in my opinion, makes it worth reading.

 

I won't say the book is perfect. It could use another round of proofreading to eliminate the dozen or so grammatical errors I spotted (although in this age of e-publishing, I rarely find a book that is free from such errors). There are also a couple of tales that feel unfinished (Did you hear from Rodney again after the appointment? Did he go through with it? Was it a disaster?).

 

After reading the book, I feel one-way-intimacy with Mr. Daniels like I've never felt with anyone else. I pretty much know his life story, on a very intimate level, but he probably doesn't even remember that one hour we spent together 2 years ago (after reading the book, I know I met him during a somewhat tumultuous time in his life, and there was nothing that should have made the appointment particularly memorable for him). I know all about some of his most personal struggles (many of which I have gone through as well), his most deviant sexual behaviors (many of which I have NOT experienced myself), and the week in New York during which he stole an iPad, got kicked out of a friend's apartment, used the stolen iPad to hack a Facebook account, got flashed by a taxi driver, returned the stolen iPad, watched a dancer almost die while getting blown by a train of nasty drunk guys, and a psychic told him he was the result of an unwanted pregnancy. I'm not sure if I'd ever want to have a week with that much adventure myself, but reading about it was a lot of fun!

[sincityboy2010]

Dear Tom,

 

Thanks for the post. It made me both crack up and it brought a tear to my eye.

 

My words and stories are not out of this world and many of us in the industry have been through similar things. I am just hoping people read it and can relate to what I've gone through and maybe see a bit of themselves in my words. I've received several letters from people who have read the book and their words have meant a lot to me and I appreciate it.

 

As for the grammatical errors... don't get me started. Self publishing can be a nightmare and there were several times where I thought the book would not be finished and I was going to throw my laptop against the wall. Writing the book was easy. Editing it was the hard part and I can now see what I will not do in the future when I write part 2.

 

I appreciate the kind words and support.

 

All the best in 2014.

 

christopher-daniels.com

 

http://christopher-daniels.com

[hornytwells]

thanks for the review tom and Chris, I have just bought the book, looking forward to reading it and maybe meeting you next time you're in NYC!

[+ poolboy48220]

Mr Daniels, I volunteer as editor for part 2. I proofed my friends' papers all the way through college. It runs in our family.

 

Damn, now I'm going to have to carefully proofread everything I write here.

[Daverwr]

Thanks for the review. I just bought the eBook. (It is very convoluted process to purchase.). It sounds like fun! Thanks.

[TruHart1]

Dear Tom,

 

Thanks for the post. It made me both crack up and it brought a tear to my eye.

 

My words and stories are not out of this world and many of us in the industry have been through similar things. I am just hoping people read it and can relate to what I've gone through and maybe see a bit of themselves in my words. I've received several letters from people who have read the book and their words have meant a lot to me and I appreciate it...

 

...Editing it was the hard part and I can now see what I will not do in the future when I write part 2.

 

I appreciate the kind words and support.

 

All the best in 2014.

 

christopher-daniels.com

 

http://christopher-daniels.com

 

I read the book just before Christmas. That is a very interesting life you’ve led, Christopher! I’m sure many other escorts have some experiences like those described in the book, yet Mr. Daniels has quite a first-person style that gives the reader a very honest insight into his way of thinking. I’ve always had some self-esteem issues but after what Christopher went through while growing up, the fact that he could write a book with such a positive outlook is pretty doggone amazing! I look forward to volume 2!

 

TruHart1

[sincityboy2010]

I'm sorry the process was convoluted. My webmaster tried to make the process as painless as possible. I know it would have been easier for everyone to just buy the book from amazon or kindle directly but they take a HUGE chunk and by you buying it directly from my site it helps a lot. Being self published I have put a lot of my own money into this book so I am trying to make a return and see a profit WITHOUT giving amazon almost %60 of my book sales. Again, I really appreciate it. All the best. Christopher

[sincityboy2010]

Thank you, I appreciate it:) It means a lot that people found something in my voice to connect with. All the best in 2014.

[Amoco]

Respectfully, I, too, recently read the book, and I'm not entirely sure what anyone found new or compelling in it. If you're expecting a big "tell all" or an intimate account of what it's like to make your living having sex, you may be sorely disappointed. It reads more like a "tick-tock": "Got up, went to fuck some guy who called last night, went to the gym" - and maybe the point of the book is to show how mundane even a sex job becomes. There are a few interesting stories, but not many, and there's little sense of his connection to anything or anyone - other than his lingering upset with ex-boyfriend Jason Michaels (several cheap shots). The writing is adolescent and the publishing is abysmal - seriously, a simple proof read would have made a difference. Ordinarily I would have just let it go but he's charging real money for this and there's much better stuff on the net and/or archives if you're curious about the industry.

[BSR]

I just bought the book too. I paid for the Kindle version via PayPal and transferred the Kindle .prc file the old fashioned way (USB cable). After reading Daverwr's comment, I was a bit worried that the whole process would be a monster (or convoluted) pain, but it was all pretty simple, even though I'm not the most computer-literate guy in the world. I'll post a few thoughts after I've read it.

[Guest Starbuck]

I first read this thread when it was only two posts long and I wondered ... and still wonder ...

 

Tom1980, did Christopher Daniels know in advance that you were writing about his book? You make a point of saying you met him two years ago and he probably wouldn't remember your session ... but then Mr. Daniels (not exactly a frequent poster on this site -- hadn't posted for months) responds to your review/endorsement within the hour.

 

Although you're not writing a review for the NY Times, in fairness to the rest of us in the room, it would still be good form to let us know...

 

(1.) Whether your post was based solely on personal enthusiasm, or if it was to help someone you know market his product?

(2.) Did Mr. Daniels know in advance that you were posting about his book, or did you let him know immediately after you had?

 

It was a nice thing to do--it looks like you're helping sales. I'm just curious (as I often am these days) about the blurry line between objective reporting/reviewing and marketing, a line that is incresasingly lost as social media grabs a bigger and bigger share of how we get our information.

[+ azdr0710]

thanks, Starbuck

[TruHart1]

Respectfully, I, too, recently read the book, and I'm not entirely sure what anyone found new or compelling in it...

 

...The writing is adolescent and the publishing is abysmal - seriously, a simple proof read would have made a difference. Ordinarily I would have just let it go but he's charging real money for this and there's much better stuff on the net and/or archives if you're curious about the industry.

 

Amoco, you are entitled to your honest opinion. I must point out that Mr. Daniels himself admits this memoir is self-published and the editing/proof reading was not a great experience for him. It isn’t as if it is the most expensive book to buy or download and I think it seems pretty honest. By the nature of the narrative, it is going to express the author’s feelings and viewpoint on his life events. Sure it is a bit amateurish but what I read was a book that sounded pretty honest to me. Did I think Christopher’s opinions were sometimes self-centered? Yes, but I also read the sections where he spoke of being bullied as an out gay in school and working through his own self-esteem issues. My opinion is that if one can’t get past proof-reading errors in a book don’t read it. I must point out that I have never met Christopher Daniels, although he is on my wish list and that is one of the reasons I bought this book and read it.

 

TruHart1

[Steven_Draker]

I first read this thread when it was only two posts long and I wondered ... and still wonder ...

 

Tom1980, did Christopher Daniels know in advance that you were writing about his book? You make a point of saying you met him two years ago and he probably wouldn't remember your session ... but then Mr. Daniels (not exactly a frequent poster on this site -- hadn't posted for months) responds to your review/endorsement within the hour.

 

Although you're not writing a review for the NY Times, in fairness to the rest of us in the room, it would still be good form to let us know...

 

(1.) Whether your post was based solely on personal enthusiasm, or if it was to help someone you know market his product?

(2.) Did Mr. Daniels know in advance that you were posting about his book, or did you let him know immediately after you had?

 

Based on my personal conversation with Christopher Daniels from last year, he's one of the guys who checks the Board on a daily basis, but posts very rarely here.

 

I doubt someone did "let him know".

 

Cut him some slack, please.

[hornytwells]

I agree, cut him some slack-even if what you say were true, does it really matter??? It made me aware of the book which I didn't know about, and of course I am not expecting it to be Tolstoy-but more or less what it purports to be………curious to read it, not to appraise it's literary merit as if it were a potential Booker prizewinner.

[Bosguy]

I am definitely ordering the book because Chris is well known and respected as a CURRENT, PRACTICING, PROFESSIONAL ESCORT who just wants to let people know the many sides of his profession. The topic of encounters is commonly discussed IN GENERAL among a number of escorts and clients, so he has the balls and caring to present his encounters in the biz

 

BRAVO CHRIS!!!!!

 

Boston Bill

[Amoco]

Oh, this takes the cake...first, Truhart, I didn't dislike the book because of the grammatical and publishing problems, I disliked it because it wasn't interesting or especially informative. If you liked it, great. If you liked it because you like him, even better. And as I recall it was the same price (approximately $12) as other new releases, so it isn't being handled like the cheap vanity books. This is a business and Chris Daniels is a businessman building a brand. That's not a bad thing, it's what I am, too. By the way, I didn't start this thread - I responded to what to me sounded like 'escort talk' in reverse.

 

All that being said, what I really think is that the underlying need everyone has on this Board to ' cut them some slack' or 'c'mon, give them an 'A' for effort', is ultimately demeaning to the good ones (perhaps including CD). Every single one of the really gifted escorts out there will tell you that they don't want handouts or to be patronized. Instead, they want to be treated like other professionals making $100 to $300 an untaxed hour, and be held accountable in an honest, non-vindictive way - they're happy to stand on their merits...

 

So seriously, why don't you cut me some slack and read the book yourself. When you have a legitimate opinion, post a review and lets see what you think...A

[William]

Oh, this takes the cake...first, Truhart, I didn't dislike the book because of the grammatical and publishing problems, I disliked it because it wasn't interesting or especially informative. If you liked it, great. If you liked it because you like him, even better. And as I recall it was the same price (approximately $12) as other new releases, so it isn't being handled like the cheap vanity books. This is a business and Chris Daniels is a businessman building a brand. That's not a bad thing, it's what I am, too. By the way, I didn't start this thread - I responded to what to me sounded like 'escort talk' in reverse.

 

All that being said, what I really think is that the underlying need everyone has on this Board to ' cut them some slack' or 'c'mon, give them an 'A' for effort', is ultimately demeaning to the good ones (perhaps including CD). Every single one of the really gifted escorts out there will tell you that they don't want handouts or to be patronized. Instead, they want to be treated like other professionals making $100 to $300 an untaxed hour, and be held accountable in an honest, non-vindictive way - they're happy to stand on their merits...

 

So seriously, why don't you cut me some slack and read the book yourself. When you have a legitimate opinion, post a review and lets see what you think...A

 

+1

[jimboivyo]

speaking from experience, someone only self publishes when they can't get picked up by a meat and potatoes publisher. that's the bottom line

 

bought and read some of this. found it interesting in some spots but in real need of a solid editor. It was more of an ego based book than aaron lawrence's how to, published years back but still an enjoyable read

 

I too will not cut slack when its a product being hard sold to me. If youre going to write a book about something personal, expect folks to criticize. I do think this book has good things going for it, but it's not telling me things I didn't know before

[instudiocity]

... Every single one of the really gifted escorts out there will tell you that they don't want handouts or to be patronized. Instead, they want to be treated like other professionals making $100 to $300 an untaxed hour, and be held accountable in an honest, non-vindictive way - they're happy to stand on their merits...

Supposition on your part there Mr. Amoco - you have no evidence that the escort professionals are earning $100-$300 an untaxed hour.

I have personal knowledge of only one escort, who used my TurboTax software to file his taxes and he claimed every thin dime of his income and expenses on his tax return. He was almost anal about it!

[Amoco]

Let me be clear again: i have no personal knowledge of anyone's tax situation and assume that everyone is paying what they're supposed to pay. What else?

[hornytwells]

I only meant cut him some slack in that I wouldn't critique a biography of a porn star escort with the same standards I would use to critique a great literary or artistic/historic figure of importance, in other words, don't set such high expectations perhaps?. Have you ever read a book about a porn star that was a work of literary greatness? Of course it is self-published, such a subject matter is hardly a mainstream money-earner, but a forum like this should be the perfect place to market such a book, no?

[Amoco]

Hah! This gets more and more ridiculous! You seriously think I bought this book because I was looking for great literature?

 

I bought the book for the same reasons I read reviews everyday, or sometimes read the erotica at Nifty - they're hot and sexually stimulating. I can easily get off listening to escort stories every single day - but this book isn't interesting! To me, it wasn't the least bit erotic or bone inspiring. It was a list of things Chris did day after day, with little emotional connection, insight, perspective or purpose other than brand building. And interesting that nobody thinks he should cut his ex-boyfriend, Jason Michaels, a break and keep their private breakup to himself. And even that was only a passing glance with zero depth.

 

For what it's worth, Chris has extraordinary reviews and I have only heard great things about him as an escort. But in regard to good kinky reads, this isn't it. But by all means, buy away! None of this is personal - I've never met or had an contact with CD, though I did hire Jason once and wrote a review about Tyger that included him in it (as a 3rd). Never even knew the two were involved and never discussed it with JM before or since. Found the book online by accident.

[TruHart1]

Hah! This gets more and more ridiculous! You seriously think I bought this book because I was looking for great literature?

 

I bought the book for the same reasons I read reviews everyday, or sometimes read the erotica at Nifty - they're hot and sexually stimulating...

 

...Found the book online by accident.

 

Amoco, to misquote C-3P0, “This is not the book you are looking for.”

 

LOL!

 

TruHart1

[Bosguy]

Hah! This gets more and more ridiculous! You seriously think I bought this book because I was looking for great literature?

 

I bought the book for the same reasons I read reviews everyday, or sometimes read the erotica at Nifty - they're hot and sexually stimulating. I can easily get off listening to escort stories every single day - but this book isn't interesting! To me, it wasn't the least bit erotic or bone inspiring. It was a list of things Chris did day after day, with little emotional connection, insight, perspective or purpose other than brand building. And interesting that nobody thinks he should cut his ex-boyfriend, Jason Michaels, a break and keep their private breakup to himself. And even that was only a passing glance with zero depth.

 

For what it's worth, Chris has extraordinary reviews and I have only heard great things about him as an escort. But in regard to good kinky reads, this isn't it. But by all means, buy away! None of this is personal - I've never met or had an contact with CD, though I did hire Jason once and wrote a review about Tyger that included him in it (as a 3rd). Never even knew the two were involved and never discussed it with JM before or since. Found the book online by accident.

 

There's always a light side of most posts. Just the mention of TYGER, put a big smile on my face. You're a very lucky guy.

 

Boston Bill