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Archived Author Help > Indie / self published LGBT authors

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message 1: by Rachael (new)

Rachael Eyre (rachaeleyre) | 194 comments Hi there,

I thought I'd start a thread for any indie LGBT authors (sorry if there already is one - my iPhone is really cranky and doesn't like going back and forth on message boards). How have you found the indie experience? Do you think trad publishing is reluctant to take on LGBT themed books? What is your target audience, and how easy is it to reach them?


message 2: by Deedra (new)

Deedra Climer (deedra_climer) | 2 comments If I were rich, I would start an indie press for LGBTQ authors! Thanks for starting the thread. I'm glad to beta read or provide any other support I can to those trying to get off the ground.


message 3: by Ken (new)

Ken Michaels | 9 comments I'm an LGBT author and will be debuting my book, The Gay Detective, this summer. I would appreciate any help I can get. I am self-publishing and trying to find my target audience. My book is a noir thriller and I've worked with an editor to avoid stereotypes.

Thanks


message 4: by Riley, Viking Extraordinaire (new)

Riley Amos Westbrook (sonshinegreene) | 1521 comments Mod
Deedra wrote: "If I were rich, I would start an indie press for LGBTQ authors! Thanks for starting the thread. I'm glad to beta read or provide any other support I can to those trying to get off the ground."

There are lots of small presses willing to take on LGBT authors, BigWorldNetwork has many authors with stories like that.


message 5: by Ken (new)

Ken Michaels | 9 comments Thanks, Deedra. I will check them out. I'm at a point where I need marketing and reviews before it gets published. If you could help with that in anyway, I'd be grateful.


message 6: by Deedra (new)

Deedra Climer (deedra_climer) | 2 comments Comment above was from Riley ^^^^

I'd be glad to review here on GoodReads or Beta read if you need it, Ken.

deedra.climer@gmail.com


message 7: by Ken (new)

Ken Michaels | 9 comments I'll be sending to your email. Thanks so much, Deedra


message 8: by Catherine (new)

Catherine (cdehdashti) | 5 comments Maybe the grass is always greener on he other side. My book is hetero, and I was targeting small presses before I decided to self publish (Roseheart novel coming June 12). It seemed like there were more small presses asking for lgbt novels than not. Honestly, I almost considered writing in some bi story lines because of it. Or maybe writing lgbt in the future. But again, maybe it's always a matter of perception when you aren't succeeding and it looks like others are. For example, suddenly it seems to me like poets have it easier, but surely not, right?
I wish you luck with The Gay Detective. I have a feeling it's going to be a winner!


message 9: by Catherine (new)

Catherine (cdehdashti) | 5 comments Oops, now I see original post was by Rachel and not Ken. Good luck to both of you! Catherine Dehdashti, author of Roseheart


message 10: by C.L. (new)

C.L. (clrivers) Actually, one of the divisions of my company, Sabretooth MicroPress is taking submissions for lgbt books. We only do ebooks at this time, but feel free to contact me directly if you'd like more information.


message 11: by Kate (new)

Kate Evans Ken wrote: "I'm an LGBT author and will be debuting my book, The Gay Detective, this summer. I would appreciate any help I can get. I am self-publishing and trying to find my target audience. My book is a noir..."

I've just indie published my debut novel, one of the main characters is a gay Detective Sergeant in a small town in North Yorkshire, UK. Others in my book are lesbian and bi. I haven't done any particular targeting, I like to think my characters are what they are and that any reader can relate to them. Good luck with your novel, wish you all the best with it.


message 12: by Ken (new)

Ken Michaels | 9 comments What is the name of your book? I'd like to read it. I also believe well written characters, regardless of preferences, should carry the book. . Good luck with your novel as well.


message 13: by Kate (last edited Mar 30, 2015 08:34AM) (new)

Kate Evans Aw thanks Ken. Book is The Art of the Imperfect, http://goo.gl/5r9WBv, not sure if that link will work, but should go through to Amazon site. Look forward to reading yours too.


message 14: by Owen (new)

Owen O'Neill (owen_r_oneill) | 1509 comments Rachael wrote: "Hi there,

I thought I'd start a thread for any indie LGBT authors (sorry if there already is one - my iPhone is really cranky and doesn't like going back and forth on message boards). How have you..."


I am not an LGBT author (and I won't speak for my co-author) but our series features many LGBT characters (including the main character). We write mil-sci-fi and we've had a good experience self-publishing so far. Our series has been fairly successful. It is not typical of its nominal genre, and I'm not quite sure who our target audience is (beyond people who like strong female characters).

We initially thought that our series might not be popular because of the prevalence of LGBT characters and themes (which I think are fairly rare in our genre), but that has not been the case at all. In fact, we are going to spin off a new series about a secondary character, based on readers’ requests.

Best of luck with your work!


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