Steve Berman's Blog, page 8

schism is vast and sad

I have mostly stayed quiet publicly about the latest two Internet brushfires involving queer content in fiction -- the ugliness of OSC's novella and the gays in YA = unpublishable or not. Partly this is because a lot of people have said some very smart things about these subjects. Partly because a lot of people have said some very incendiary things. I've decided to to never buy another Subterranean title, but that's my personal decision.

What has really sent me into a mire of despair is some of the ignorant, misguided comments that have been said to "broaden" gay books. It was made perfectly clear to me, yet again, that there is a vast schism between people who identify as spec fic fans/readers who enjoy a bit of queer content in their fiction and readers who identify as queer and occasionally read spec fic. I cannot be the only one who sees this chasm.

How many writers bridge it? I once believed I did, but it's plainly clear I do not. Once Chip did but his past great works are not as mentioned as they once were and his recent gay books are fairly mainstream. Richard Bowes? I don't believe he was mentioned. And I don't think he wants to be known as a gay writer.

There is no ocean that connexts the camps. You cannot be a small fish that swims back and forth. There is real reluctance on both sides to read the fiction of the other. When I attend S&S I have to speak an entire different language. Same at Readercon.

This saddens me. It means that I can never be the writer I wanted to be. Because I would have to choose sides. No, that's not right. For the most part, the spec fic camp doesn't want to read the sort of fiction I produce. Or really publish. Diana Comet won a Lambda. But was it reviewed in PW? Or Locus? The Strange Horizons review was incomprehensive. Very telling.

Groups like the Outer Alliance or Gaylaxians are so one-sided to the spec-fic camp that I find myself not wanting to become involved. And the gay lit camp treats spec fic as the weird child.

I can only look down into the abyss in the schism and worry.

Yay for YA

So, my newest YA anthology, Speaking Out , which releases in a couple weeks, received a rave review from Edge: click here to read it. I'm thrilled.

And I received the cover artwork for the next anthology, Boys of Summer, which releases next May.

Kindle development

Interesting news from Amazon:

They will no longer be charging for any public domain work that is not a new translation, accompanied with new illustrations or has additional content (critical edition, commentary, etc).

A lot of companies have made money from taking public domain books and reprinting them... and then releasing them into Kindle. A flood of them. Even Lethe has a few. Some companies based their entire business model around this. I'm curious what the fall-out will be.

sigh - when an author becomes an enemy

So a writer who I published -- and once considered a friend -- has screwed me and the press over. Many gay writers know him. Don't trust him. He used an old school mate's name in his collection. Said person sued both Lethe and the author. I spent thousands hiring a lawyer because author shafted me (he first told me not to get representation, then would not share his lawyer until last moment). Now, despite signing an agreement stating he would repay all my legal fees he refuses to do so.

10th and 11th

Just the other day my tenth anthology, Wilde Stories 2011, released out into the world.



And then, this morning, a box of number eleven greeted me from the day job. I'm really please... no, make that proud, that Bold Strokes Books let me edit an anthology of inspirational short fiction for young adults. So proud that I took a picture holding the book.



Okay, I look like hell... when did I stop bothering to groom?! But the book is what matters.

If you enjoy queer and weird fiction, especially dark and scary, click away and purchase a copy of Wilde Stories 2011.

And if you know a gay teen who needs reminding why they are special, spread the word about Speaking Out.

gah

So, PW,'s review of Wilde Stories 2011 stings. I disagree, of course, but on many levels. I hope it will not affect sales of the book.

September Genderqueer Graphic Novel

So Lethe Press is plunging into graphic novels. Well, more like dipping our toe into those waters... with this genderqueer book for young adults releasing in September. a+e 4ever is about an androgynous gay boy and his new bff, a tough dyke, who soon finds herself wishing their relationship becomes something more than friends.

Icarus 9 releasing next week.

Off the list!

One of my goals for Lethe Press has finally been met thanks to sandramcdonald - winning a Lammy. Her collection, Diana Comet and Other Improbable Stories faced down some very tough competition to win in the LGBT Spec Fic category.

Lammys are heavy. Like glass that weighs as much as gold. They can also be traded for crack or carnal relations in NYC. Honest!

Lesson to authors up for an award - please, please write some sort of acceptance speech if only to save your publisher/editor/agent from having to stammer through a half-ass one involving thanking his cat.

Bonus of last night - having Chip Delaney, who was one of my Clarion teachers, tell me he was proud of my accomplishments.

The Guide to Lost Gay Cinematic Characters... vol. 3

Ever since the first issue of Icarus I have been creating little bits of flash fiction entries into a fictional guide to unsung gay movie characters. The plan is to compile these with original fiction and release it sometime.

I've had someone work on a possible cover. Thoughts?