(no subject)

[alg]

Selling Books with GLBTQ Characters

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

Comments

[scottynola.livejournal.com]

THANK YOU for pointing out that publishing is a business. I have said that and said that to people until I am fucking blue in the face, and no one wants to listen. All they want to do is blame publishers for not publishing their work because they are homophobic; and I am tired of explaining, "most publishers shy away from publishing queer work because they think they'll lose money. CONVINCE them it won't, and they will publish it."

[alg.livejournal.com]

Well, and 99% of everything sucks--even GLBTQ books.

[mroctober.livejournal.com]

The fact remains that many mainstream readers do not want to read about the romances and sex lives of queer folk. Stories that limit the risk of offending often limit the risk of rejection.

[desayunoencama.livejournal.com]

The other problem is that most queer readers don't a) bother to read and b) also don't read outside their particular identity.

Gay writers don't read lesbian authors enough and vice versa, but both tend to complain when the "mainstream" won't pay attention to them, even though they're not paying attention to one another in their shared homosocial battle within publishing.

[mroctober.livejournal.com]

Agreed.

Problem a) is especially troubling. I saw that at the recent Gaylaxicon. A science-fiction con with mostly media fans. ::shakes head in sorrow::