GRL Indie Pub Authors
This post specifically references the Gay Romance Literature (GRL) Retreat (http://www.gayromlit.com), an annual Author/Reader Convention, and the Indie Pub Authors group that participates in the con each year in October.
I have coordinated the Indie Pub Authors group since the original coordinator bailed after the 2015 GRL. Since I had just updated the entire sales infrastructure of the group to an electronic format specifically for that year’s con, and no one else appeared to have any interest in stepping up to lead the group, I took it over. Despite several attempts to pass the baton, I still seem to be in charge. However, since I AM in charge, I choose to make operational changes to the group, with absolute and dictatorial authority, in order to address my concerns over a disturbing shift in the group (as well as the con) dynamic this last year.
GRL has a strict definition of ‘Featured’ Authors: “Featured Authors must have a minimum of three published LGBT romance books of novella length (each 25k or longer) available for purchase at the time of registration.” The definition of a ‘Supporting’ Author is likewise specific: “Supporting Authors should be at the beginning of their careers in LGBT romance or still attempting to build a backlist and fanbase. They must have a minimum of one published work of novella length (20k or longer) available for purchase at time of registration OR have multiple short stories for sale that are equal or greater than 20k words at the time of registration.”
However, the definition of a ‘Supporting’ Author has a subtle and exploitable weakness: it doesn’t list a ***maximum*** number of novella-or-longer-length works.
This apparently led to some senior authors, shut out of the limited Featured Author slots, registering as Supporting Authors. This practice…DISPLEASES me greatly. It smacks of both greed and a smug sense of entitlement, which I find grossly obnoxious and unprofessional, and furthermore acts to the detriment of new authors trying to find a place for themselves in our ranks, via a forum that should be falling over backwards to welcome them in.
The primary goal of GRL, as I understand it, is three-fold:
1. To build improved relationships between authors and their readership, to humanize the creator in the eyes of the audience, and personalize the audience in the eyes of the creator, as well as introduce readers to new authors (and vice versa).
2. To foster an inclusive environment for the free exchange of ideas and inspiration related to romantic fiction with a major focus on male/male romance (and a lesser focus on works that span the wider queer spectrum) as well as LGBT spectrum communities that embrace (Safe!) sexual practices that are often considered less mainstream (Yes, I’m looking at you, BDSM. Stop holding up the wall, and join the party.).
3. TO WIN THE GAME….uh, that is, to have a good time.
Cheating a supporting author out of the even more limited pool of SA registration spots serves none of these intents. Nor does it serve that intent at the Indie Pub Table for authors to sell books which have been published through larger presses in this genre, especially if sold through other vendors represented in the Bookseller’s Room.
The following organizational changes are therefore imposed immediately at the Indie Pub Table by my fief and fiat:
1. No book may be sold through the Indie table, which is also being sold concurrently through another vendor/publisher in the Bookseller’s Room. Authors with books sold by participating publishers, who wish to sell books that are self-published, or published by alternate and unrepresented presses, are welcome to join the Indie table.
2. A two-tier membership pricing system will be instituted going forward:
a. Registered Supporting Authors with at least one published work of novella-length or longer, ***but no more than three***, will now be eligible for reduced membership costs.
b. Registered Featured Authors, with at least three published works of novella-length or longer, will pay full membership costs.
c. Authors with General Registration, or with Supporting Author registration and greater than three published works of novella-length, will not be considered for membership.
As author status will not be known until registration, usually in the spring, the roster for the Indie Pub table will be finalized immediately after registration is complete. Modifications to the roster will be considered, in the event of cancellations or promotions off the Wait List. Prior to that event, interested parties should apply to join the Indie Pub Author Facebook group (used for organizational planning in advance of the con), contact me directly via Facebook Messenger, or by email at GRLindiepub@gmail.com
This has been a Public Service Announcement. We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.
Respectfully,
Arshad Ahsanuddin
