Frost's Freeze
Aug. 3 2oo7
LGBT Fiction:
Far-Out Alternative or Serious Mainstream?
Back in 2oo6, an entrenched venue in the romantic fiction field declared "manlove" off limits as a topic for its panels {and apparently, for reviewing as well}. Just this week, a writer I respect announced revision of a series hero's love interest, from gay to straight. The reason? "Gay isn't mainstream."
Reviewer Frost strongly disagrees, and I think the evidence backs up the alternative theory that LGBT fiction is indeed popular, and publishable. Not only are readers who happen to be Lesbian, Gay, Bi, and Transgendered reading, writing, publishing, and purchasing fiction featuring alternative characters and situations. The increasing market among Straight readers for Gay erotic romance bears this out as well. When het authors are producing exciting and erotic works in the Gay fields, and Straight and LGBT readers are racing to buy, the question of publishability for Gay fiction doesn't seem to hold water.
Setting aside the concept of writing for publishability, then, let's take up the further point: why is a viable, important, vital avenue of fiction not considered mainstream? Granted, this is only one reviewer's opinion platform; but standing in the river of prediction I foresee a stronger-than-ever market for writing, publishing, marketing, and reviewing fiction in the LGBT field, whether penned by authors whose preference is alternative or Straight.
Reviewer Frost welcomes fiction submissions for review of the LGBT variety, and will provide an honest and heartfelt commentary. Let's make our own mainstream for LGBT fiction.
--Reviewer Frost
http://www.jlfoster.biz/frost
August 3, 2007--
Within His CastleJ. L. Foster AuthorIssue 11-August 3, 2007-page 46
No comments:
Post a Comment