Newcomer Very new to this... but SO glad I found it.

JakeTheDog said:

Possibly one of the things that's holding me back about coming out.. and PLEASE DO FORGIVE ME for saying this: 80+% of the community is 'non-straight', and I'd just get tired of answering "Oh, so you're gay now?" questions.

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While gays are over represented in furdom as compared to the PaL, this isn't ahywhere near the case: Fur Science: Sex, Gender, and Gender Identity

Welcome to the Pile, Jake

JakeTheDog said:

Thanks for the welcome. I've been deep diving over the last couple of weeks and I'm not so worried now. Yes, I saw that report and various analysis and interpretations. Interesting stuff. It also seems that the 'loudest' voices are the ones most heard or seen. I've kind of been through this a little being part of the FPV drone flying community. The media thinks we're all terrorists, but in reality every single person we've met in the field is lovely about what we do and we often give 'ride alongs' where someone lends a pair of goggles to a passer by and tunes in to someone else flying. I saw some videos of folk out fursuiting in public actually trying, it seems to get negative reactions and pretty much everyone was fine apart from two twits, which to be fair, the furries provoked.

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That's just it...when people start wearing their stuff out and about, it's only natural to have a racing heart while assuming everyone's staring and laughing or whatever and that you might as well be walking around casually on fire, wondering if you're insane to even be thinking of being in public in character! When I first started wearing my fangs and tail and ears I felt that way, like everyone's elbowing their friend and going "OMG, look at the freak that's coming!!". This assumes you're just living your life of course and not actively trying to provoke as you mentioned.

BUT after a few days and multiple experiences, you realize that the vast majority of people simply...do...not...care. It's oddly refreshing to see that most people's reactions will be a grin and a "Huh!" at best, or they'll out of obvious politeness they'll literally ignore it completely and treat you like everyone else. Maybe you'll get the occasional question or complement. Sure there's an asshole occasionally but this is humanity...you'd get that if you wore the wrong colour of pants from these people so they don't count. That's when you see that you're fine, and that most of the nervousness and anxiety is really just you, you relax more with more positive experiences...and before you know it you're walking around cozy in your own world barely even aware you stand out at all!! Freeeee-dom!! <lol>

Hey Jake :D also a warm welcome from me!

I've been a bit less active recently, feeling a bit spread thin, but I'm really happy to see you join here :3 is being an Author your main income? Also, I can't wait to see your fursona ^w^

JakeTheDog said:

Cheers wuff-wuff! No, writing isn't my main income - wish it was, but it keeps me in chocolate biscuits :)
I'm in publishing for a living, doing other people's books, eBooks, audiobooks and making them happen. We publish our own stuff too which is an absurd amount of fun.

... it's just a head profile by the way. But Jake wears a tweed jacket so no need for the full body just yet. Should save a FORTUNE on the old fursuit when the time comes. Gotta get that tail right though.

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Oh wonderful! At least you're still in the book business :3
How many books have you've written if I may ask so boldly? :D

xD hahaha you are a Doggo with foresight I see! Still hyped for the head profile :3 are you drawing it yourself?

JakeTheDog said:

A handful under my REAL name, but of late two under a pen-name (oh, layers and layers, but it's all the REAL me when I write on here).
Those two, I'm really proud of and not in a genre I'd have even imagined I'd write in. I'm working on a third in the series right now so that ought to be out early next year once it's gone though the cogs and gears.

I've got the artist who did the chapter-head illustrations from my last book to do it... the company's paying for it. It might end up being my author profile too.
Now... will the fursuit head count on the advertising budget if I turn up to a book launch with it on.... hmmmm....

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Oooh :O what made you want to hide behind a pen name actually?
I'm glad you got something out there you're truly proud of :3 sounds like you found your stride!

xD hahahah well, I'm sure if you pitch it correctly uwu you sly dog!
I adore how you got a bargain out of the art by getting the illustrator to draw your sona xD

JakeTheDog said:

The reason for the pen name was because the series (other writers have done books in the series too) started as an experimental Paranormal Romance, which wasn't what I was used to. If that backfired then it could have been tricky. But a lot of authors use a pen name just to separate their work even though it's common knowledge.

and on the bargain front... I'm a CHEAPSKATE! But mostly, if I spent my money on it although kind of appropriate, my wife would consign me permenantly to the dog house. Arwooo!

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Oohh I see, as in, you kept the possibility to take distance from it in case it flops, or worse, becomes ridicule!
It's lovely that it turned out the opposite!

Not a bad place to be :D hahahah, no I joke. I've often found myself commissioning fellow furs I know :3 but the suit: now that's something else.

If you're the crafty sort, you could try making one yourself.

Ah and you're supporting a fellow fur :3 I get you Jake!
XD RoadKill could be your alternative Sona! It'd certainly be unique!