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[alg]

Selling Books with GLBTQ Characters

Why can't you sell your "gay" book into the mainstream? Here are some thoughts on it.

Comments

[swtalmnd]

I was one of the people in the panel ("how much sex can you put in it?", heh) at con_txt and I did later think of another question... I have a book that's SF/F but the main plot is a gay romance, and the action plot is really secondary; is that worth trying to sell as SF/F? What I got out of the panel was "sell that book to Ellora's Cave or Loose Id, and write another one that's not a romance". But I was curious to ask, do successful authors ever dig up old books, edit them, and publish them once they're successful enough to get away with bending genres?

[alg.livejournal.com]

Hee, I remember you! ("As much as you want!")

do successful authors ever dig up old books, edit them, and publish them once they're successful enough to get away with bending genres?

Yes. The example that pops into my head is Susan Kearney's book The Challenge--it was the first book she wrote, and something like her 20th to get published.

You don't have to sell the book of your heart to an e-press. Try submitting it. You might get lucky--you never ever ever know.

[swtalmnd]

Heh, well, I have to finish it first, and then I'd have to find someone to submit it to who solicits werecat porn... Plus it's very tempting that one of my friends copy-edits for Loose Id and has already pimped it to her editor, so I know they want it if no one else does.

And I didn't say at first 'cos I'm lame like that, but it was a great panel, informational and a really nice, friendly atmosphere -- we knew you were pros, but you weren't at all unapproachable, and even when they asked the same questions, you answered it fully each time. I for one really appreciated you guys taking the time out to talk to us, even if I did have to miss my Snape panel for it ;)

[alg.livejournal.com]

Awww, you skipped the Snape panel for us? I am totally flattered!! Thank you!

[casacorona.livejournal.com]

I have a book that's SF/F but the main plot is a gay romance, and the action plot is really secondary; is that worth trying to sell as SF/F?

For what it's worth, I'd suggest you do a rewrite and flip the focus so that the action plot becomes primary. SF/F has no problem with gay romance secondary plots.