I’m not going to post my round up of Naked City links this evening, because as of a few hours ago, I am no longer writing the blog. At the moment, it’s still live, but my login has been disabled, it’s not branded Village Voice anymore, and the RSS feed has been deleted from villagevoice.com/sex. I’m not really sure what’s going to happen to the site, but I was told that in a recent budget meeting they decided that it wasn’t getting enough traffic to justify the expense, so they had to drop me.
I’m (obviously) pretty bummed about losing the job and the abrupt and slightly passive aggressive manner in which it happened. I was really enjoying doing the blog and its video show. So now that I’ve gotten and lost two sweet sex + internet dream jobs (The Peeq and Naked City) in less than a year, I’m feeling a bit discouraged, and I’m trying to figure out a better and more stable future for myself.
I have been thinking a lot recently about my dream job and what that might look like - and while editing Naked City has been nothing short of awesome and amazing, I also know that I can’t picture blog writing being my main livelihood in five to ten years. However, thinking long term when you’re working freelance at the frenetic pace of the internet is pretty tough stuff.
As much as I have been burned by working for start ups and making stuff with slightly amorphous web projects, I do really love that entrepreneurial thrill of organizing something from scratch - I can’t help it. But at the same time, I have started to think that maybe it might do me well to work with a more established organization (not just because I want something safe - please, safe is for baby boomers). Though freelance stuff has been my bread and butter for many years, I think I could learn a lot from working within a larger organization, and that the right organization could learn a lot from me.
So here’s the thing, dear reader - I’m open to suggestions about what you see me being capable of and any ideas you might have about possible folks to work with, both in terms of freelance work and bigger-picture full time jobs. I’m very interested in doing non-profit work around the sex industry, reproductive & sexual health, media activism, and feminist issues. I’m also open to working with adult businesses, and either way I’m looking for something intellectually engaging, with problem-solving fun, integration of media and human interaction, with occasional bouts of trying new and interesting things.
Over the last seven years I’ve been curator, blogger, writer, magazine editor, adjunct professor, public speaker, video producer and video editor. I’m comfortable on a lot of different content management and blogging systems; I’m a videographer with my own equipment and can edit with Final Cut Pro and iMovie; I’m becoming ever more adept at audio recording and editing with Digidesign Pro Tools; I have basic understanding of HTML; I’ve got basic competence with the Adobe Creative Suite; and I know a whole damn lot about the web and social media. Also, my brain is a steel trap. So, I’ve got skills, I just need to figure out how to use them all to my advantage.
I am also, as I’ve mentioned to some folks in person and hinted at/whined about on Twitter, very much looking to leave New York for the right opportunity. I’ve lived in this city for nine years and grew up in upstate New York, and though I very much consider it my home, I do really want to give something else a try. Because, why not - I’m nothing if not a risk taker, and why not do that with my living arrangements? I’m not limiting this to the US either - have laptop, will spontaneously uproot life for interesting adventures.
In addition to this website, I have a slightly more portfolio-like and to-the-point website at AudaciaRay.com with a clickable resume and all that good stuff. So, that’s my sales pitch. If you have any interesting ideas for me, drop me a line at dacia[at]wakingvixen[dot]com.
I know I’ll land on my feet, I just feel like I need to get more proactive about where I land, what that looks like, and what it spells for my future.
12:14 am
you ain’t kidding about that steel-trapping brain. although i’m sure the village voice is undergoing the same budget nightmares that all print-to-web media are dealing with, it sucks that they didn’t spend more time promoting naked city in print or online; naked city is/was literally building up to a pretty sweet apex in the sex blog world, and it hurts to see it cut so short, so quick, and so unsweetly.
i wish i could spout out a handful of sex-related companies that could definitely use a new media maven like dacia, but the current economic crunch is hitting most of the best ones pretty hard.
whatever you do and wherever you go, keep up the speed at Live Girl Review.
(any Audacia fans who are reading this comment: it *always* helps to submit thoughtful reviews about Live Girl Review on places like iTunes and other pod/vidcast directories. it’s also pretty easy to do, and doesn’t take much of your time.)
12:24 am
I am sorry to hear about the Village Voice gig. I’m tempted to say something here like, “When one door closes, another one opens, or a window is open,” or something stupid like that. However, I am sure you are disappointed and scared right now, and trite words won’t do.
Doubt not your amazingness, though, Dacia. Naked City was beautifully written, Live Girl Review is totally cool, and you are one talented woman.
I’m brainstorming…
1:35 am
Oh man, I’m sorry sorry to hear about this Dacia. I loved reading Naked City and looked forward to the different posts. That sucks.
Wanna start a porn company together?
(I know, not exactly any help here)
1:44 am
Crappy. You certainly seem like someone who could be great as a communications/PR person for a non-profit. Non-profits I’ve seen certainly have better corporate culture than for profits I’ve worked for. Hopefully, you can find something cool and fulfilling.
Would there be a way to turn Live Girl Review into a job?
1:54 am
Thanks for the support, all.
@Serpent - I really need to stay away from the temptation of starting new things, and stick with working smarter on what I’ve got! But… so tempting…
@Sean - That is sort of the plan with Live Girl Review, actually. And like Libby says, reviews on itunes and in other places are super helpful. I’m going to be putting a good amount of energy into promoting LGR so I can get its numbers up and attract some sponsors.
2:09 am
Yuck — I hate hearing that you’re going through this again. And I hate not having bundles of cheddar to pay you to be your brilliant exploring critical self in a million different smart and sordid ways if we could devise ways that would be appealing and rewarding to you.
I know I can’t pay you what you’re worth or even this (if I knew the amount): I do wonder how much it would take to give it a try for a month.
3:18 am
So sorry to hear about the Naked City, but I think you’re still awesome! San Francisco has really excessive amounts of non-profits and sex-positive everything if you’re thinking there might be gold for you in the West.
4:52 am
Why not just focus on writing another book or two?
9:40 am
I’m sorry to hear about this. I really enjoyed Naked City. Good luck!
9:42 am
[…] really makes me suspicious is the abrupt manner in which her paid for blog Naked City was dropped by the Village Voice. Anyone want to take bets on who the Village Voice uses as a bank? This was written by Gustav […]
11:03 am
Really sorry to hear this- Naked City rocked. Its a shame that they didn’t let you do a goodbye post and just sprung it on you
11:55 am
Well I can recommend the nonproft tech jobs listserv, tech soup, and idealist.org as places to browse for jobs with your skill set.
1:39 pm
[…] It seems like only yesterday we were welcoming Audacia Ray’s Naked City into the sex blog fold… and now, alas, we must bid it adieu. […]
2:10 pm
[…] for sex-positive, accurate, fun and queer/kinky/open-minded writings. Plus, it really sucks for editor Audacia Ray, our friendly neighborhood […]
2:45 pm
Oh that is the worst. I lost a job I liked earlier this year due to budget cuts, and it was awful how impersonal it was. They could have handled it better. Hang in there, keep the feelers out, and jump where your heart tells you to.
3:00 pm
Dacia,
This is just plain crappy, not to mention scary, passive-aggressive and underhanded.
Without being too ethereal about it — everything happens for a reason. I love this post because you’re doing exactly what I think anyone in your position should do: Throw it out to the Universe and see what comes back. Something always does…
Sending good, productive, career-amplifying thoughts,
MM
6:53 pm
Saw your posting about this on FaceBook and I must say that’s terrible news, losing a good job is even worse than losing a job (let’s face it, some jobs are worth getting canned from!) but this one certainly not. Not sure what I can think of as opposed to freelance writing, but I agree with some of the comments above - non-profilt PR jobs still seem to be out there. I would try Idealist.org, they seem to have a good amount of work in the NYC/Philly area.
As for full-time 9-5 jobs I know you have hotmoviesforher.com as a sponsor so maybe you can do something/some more work for them? I used to work for one of their partner sites and they are pretty chill, it would also keep you in the NY region (sort of). Aside from that http://www.ed2010.com/ is good for freelance gigs (at least it has been for me) - I’s currently the Automotive writer for a large automotive marketing company, which allows me to work from home (or wherever there is wifi) It’s not in the adult or non-profit industries (which, like you, are two places I’ve delved into slightly and would love to return) but it’s not bad work. Good luck, hope one of those sites gives you an idea or two!
6:54 pm
let me link that: http://www.idealist.org
1:05 am
Maybe you could be a women’s studies college teacher? I seem to remember you mentioning (in your blog) that you’ve done some lecturing, and you’ve got a Masters. Anyway, I feel for you. I had something similar happen to me and am currently semi-unemployed at the moment. You’ll land on your feet with flying colors; I have no doubt.
1:42 am
@Trixie I’d be happy to talk about fun project stuff with you, though at the moment I’m looking for some combo of panic button help and longer term something or other… I dunno.
@mixelplix Another book is in the works, though I still need funds to get me through those dark days of pre-publisher writing
@GMH - I actually am doing some teaching - I’m doing a undergrad Human Sexuality lecture course at Rutgers during the fall semester… so I’m on that, but adjunct pay is less than glamorous. Still, its something, and good for the resume to boot.
To everyone who suggested various list serv and job boards - I’ve heard of most of these and peruse them regularly even when I’m gainfully employed… it never hurts to look! Letting the world know I’m looking is good too though. I can probably cobble together a freelance existence “easily” enough but two rounds of hire & fire in one year make me feel like it’s time to think more about the big picture, ya know?
4:36 am
[…] No More Naked City?!?! […]
4:36 am
[…] No More Naked City?!?! […]
4:45 am
[…] No More Naked City?!?! […]
2:01 pm
Maybe approach Babeland to work on consolidating all their education events. Develop some sort of “curriculum” and help them branch out into educational/hot videos. They seem to be a growing company.
6:02 pm
Ever thought about going international? London has a great scene. Sydney, too. The world is your oyster!
8:12 pm
what i see for audie?
well, i don’t think you should be wrting for someone else
i think you should be writing for you for you.
you should have your own publication with your own little army of minions to do your naughty bidding.
you’ll get through this dar’lyn, great writers never fail, and you’re one of the best.
9:31 pm
Dacia,
It’s crazy that they dropped Naked City, the month after AVN did a cover story on Lesbian Porn and Oprah did a show on “237 Reasons to Have Sex.” I think they are going to be sorry they threw in the towel just as the market for the content you produce was about to take off. Its only a matter of time.
Whoever gets you next is the real winner here…I would expect you to be courted by someone who can leverage the value of your words properly. Of course, I bet LiveGirlReview can be your cash cow. Love the new format. Will write up a review in iTunes this weekend.
I’ll ask around about jobs in SF…if NY has to lose you, we’d be so happy to have you!
3:38 am
I can’t believe Naked City was dropped. I loved the way you were showing various content and not just one specific thing. Maybe your vision of how a sex world can be multifaceted and vivid is just ahead of some people’s heads who rather it remain one-note and monochromatic. You can bet six ways from Sunday whatever it was costing them to keep you is going to be transferred to and ate up by something moribund, also-ran and unimaginative, like some hipster review blog on some hipster places in NYC by some hipsters.
I’ll miss the dope on the erotica artists, especially. At least I hope they keep the link up for what was done up until now.
You’ll get back on your feet. If I had the walkin’ around money to do it, I’d front you whatever it took to keep you doin’ your thing myself. But there’s a good reason why people like me aren’t in the Fortune 500 magazines! Hopefully you won’t have to leave here to get where you need to be.
*kiss*
5:04 am
[…] that it wasnt getting enough traffic to justify the expense, so they had to drop me. source: Imagining My Dream Job (Naked City No More), Waking […]
2:32 pm
@twodoggz - Oh, believe me, I’m putting feelers out internationally. This fall I’ll be spending just shy of two weeks doing a little European jaunt - Berlin and Amsterdam and probably Paris in between too. I would happily take work in any of those cities, and others too.
@exile - Thanks for the faith in my abilities as a writer. The thing that attracted me to writing for someone else was the financial support and opportunity to work on something bigger than little old me. And I have been involved in running my own (thought very much shared with others) publication - I was an editor at $pread Magazine for three years. It’s not that I wouldn’t do that again, just that I’m at a point where I want to work with other people and not necessarily building something from scratch without funds. Also, writing is just one piece of the puzzle - I actually don’t really think of my primary working identity as “writer,” I think I’m more of a consummate media producer and would like to keep that flow happening.
@Stacie - Thanks for the kind words and support (and premptively, thanks for the itunes review). I agree about Live Girl Review, and I’m going to start to put much more energy into developing that product. And thanks for keeping your ears/eyes open for me in SF!
@IrezumiKiss - There are two foreign-language erotica blogs that I bet you’d enjoy a lot… or at least looking at them. They became daily stops of mine when I was looking for images for the Daily Voyeur on Naked City:
http://sastreman.blogspot.com/ and http://crazydoc.canalblog.com/
4:32 pm
[…] No More Naked City?!?! […]