Name of helpful suggester withheld for privacy, of course, but I will say they are traditionally published author, and they did mean well.
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They explained agents (& publishers) would be afraid to pub my book 'cause it doesn’t appeal to a wide audience since it’s LGBT and Sci-Fi.
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Side Note: They assumed since the main is gay there will be erotica in it. This isn’t the first time I’ve hit Gay Romance = Hardcore Sex.
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They questioned how the human/A.I. romance would work then said, “I don’t see that (the book) can seriously address these issues.”
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2nd Side Note: They have read the first 5 pages of my manuscript, nothing more.
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“I also felt that the LGBTQ inclusion really seems to cloud things.” - Direct Quote
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So they described LGBT Sci-Fi Romance being as mainstream as “Marzipan Modern Art Owls”. AKA nearly impossible. Also a great band name.pic.twitter.com/ZkzS0dkIVr
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Their solution? Based on 5 pages of writing? Change the book to an Action Spy Thriller and make the male-identifying A.I. a sexy robot lady.
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A “Sexy robot, confused about whether she’s a robot or a person, is a selling point.” – Yet Another Direct Quote.
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In the end they helpfully suggested I figure out the largest target audience and “reshape” my book for the maximum amount of sales.
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“I just can’t see who this would appeal to. It has elements that attract one readership but then immediately turn them off.” - Final Quote
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Of course, they're right. I would get published faster with the LBGT elements removed. But that only shows we need more diverse books.
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Our world is filled with people that don’t fit into ‘White, Cis, Straight’. So our bookshelves should be full of stories that reflect this.
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I’m fighting for a future where LGBT isn’t considered a risk in the publishing world. I won’t stop until all of our voices are heard.
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There is so much more I could say. I’ll make a blog post about this soon. This issue deserves a lot more press than it gets.
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Until then I’m starting my new band The Marzipan Modern Art Owls. Catch us next Open Mic Nite! Thanks for listening. And buy
#diversebooks!Show this thread
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