2008 Publishing Trends

[Libby Drew]

This is only the second time I've turned on my computer since I went on vacation, so my promise to stay unplugged is still mostly intact. But I met up with an old friend on the beach, a writer, and we got to discussing a recent article in Publisher's Weekly: Publishing Trends in 2008. I've listed them below for your perusal, but the crux of our conversation was how publishers are beginning to court the so-called "niche markets" readers, and what that means for gay fiction writers.

 

He seemed to believe the time had come for the mainstreaming of gay fiction. The argument of what constitutes mainstream fiction aside, it's encouraging news, don

[Michael H]

This is only the second time I've turned on my computer since I went on vacation, so my promise to stay unplugged is still mostly intact. But I met up with an old friend on the beach, a writer, and we got to discussing a recent article in Publisher's Weekly: Publishing Trends in 2008. I've listed them below for your perusal, but the crux of our conversation was how publishers are beginning to court the so-called "niche markets" readers, and what that means for gay fiction writers.

 

He seemed to believe the time had come for the mainstreaming of gay fiction. The argument of what constitutes mainstream fiction aside, it's encouraging news, don

[Libby Drew]

Libby, I read this article too. The publishing industry is finally noticing the overwhelming fact that gay is no longer a strictly niche market. The most obvious example of this is TV and its embracing of gay characters and gay shows. It is not the gay community that made Will and Grace and Queer Eye For The Straight Guy smash hits. It is the straight world that has responded not with curiosity, but full throated enthusiasm. The publishing world has taken notice. Many have taken polls and learned that often times successful gay authors have been made so by straight women! At least one third of my base readership is female, married with children. When I wrote my first book I was asked who my target audience might be. I envisioned gay men lounging on the beach enjoying a summer read. Well I got those readers and much more. I also didn't count on the long arm of the internet and its wide reach. I get emails from all over the world asking if I know the characters in my books! I answer that I know them intimately if not well. It will be interesting to follow the trends as the publishers, all greedy for more cash, paddle in the shallow end of the pool until they learn that the water is just fine in here.

Michael Halfhill

 

This is so true, Michael. I've noticed this trend in the slash section of fandom, where the majority (the large majority) of readers of slash (gay) fiction are heterosexual women. Other countries have noticed this and have responded. Japan, in particular. I'd also like to mention a favourite television program of mine -- Torchwood. Every single character (of the main five) is bisexual, to which the producers love to demonstrate. It has a huge following. Though that might have something to do with John Barrowman.

 

This subject matter is not the "taboo" it used to be. Quite the opposite, in fact.

 

A definite step in the right direction.

Edited March 27, 2008 by Libby Drew

[corvus]

Interesting, all this, but sadly it doesn't mean much to me, as I'm not even on square zero in this whole publishing business. I wonder if these publishers feel threatened by other media -- films, television. I would. These niche-reaching seems like a sign of it. Maybe I'm being paranoid.

 

In any case, I do think it a turn for the better than "gay fiction" might get mainstreamed, even though I feel queasy at the label. Mainstreamed gay fiction -- what's that supposed to mean? I hope it's not a crap that glorifies the expected stereotypes.

 

Edited to add: I hope you have a great vacation, Libby! The whole unplugged business is probably easier to promise than to keep...

[GaryK]

I've listened to several very good ongoing discussions via podcast about this very subject. Not just about gay fiction, but about mainstream content in general moving to the internet. About writers, or groups of writers publishing their own shows online and bypassing traditional distribution channels entirely. Given the recent TV writer's strike this seems to make a lot of sense to me.

 

One only has to look at sites like Revision3 to see the potential the internet holds in terms of TV via the web.

 

In any case, I do think it a turn for the better than "gay fiction" might get mainstreamed, even though I feel queasy at the label. Mainstreamed gay fiction -- what's that supposed to mean? I hope it's not a crap that glorifies the expected stereotypes.

Mainstreamed gay fiction should mean authors like Josh Aterovis. His Killian Kendall Mystery Series is as good as any so-called mainstream mystery series I've read. The fact that many of the characters are either gay or gay-friendly is merely the by-product of well-written stories.

 

Sites like Audible provide a unique way of keeping up with your favorite authors. To me it's so nice to lay in bed and listen to a book after a day spent in front of a computer monitor. I still want to read a book, it's just that my eyes are too tired. My ears and brain are still in great shape! Thus for me audiobooks are perfect. Audible also has entire category of audiobooks dedicated to gay themes. You'll find everything from best selling authors to soft-porn there.

 

And finally, let's not forget sites like GA! Talk about the ultimate means for every individual having equal access to being published! Sites like this are second to none when it comes to giving publishing power to everyone.

[Michael H]

I

 

Sites like Audible provide a unique way of keeping up with your favorite authors. To me it's so nice to lay in bed and listen to a book after a day spent in front of a computer monitor. I still want to read a book, it's just that my eyes are too tired. My ears and brain are still in great shape! Thus for me audiobooks are perfect. Audible also has entire category of audiobooks dedicated to gay themes. You'll find everything from best selling authors to soft-porn there

 

Gary, I've been interested in getting all three of my books in AudioBook format for a year or so now but I have no contacts who know how to get it done.

I live close to the University of Delaware so I suppose I could hire a voice from their drama department. This person would have to be comfortable reading some of the content--no, not the sex stuff, that's pretty mild. But then what, a recording studio? What kind would I need? How high tech would it have to be?

How much would a project likely cost?

Some folks have suggested I do it my self but I'd rather have a Larry Olivier kind of voice--You know, "Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious summer by this sun of York." kinda thing. Gives me shivers every time I think of that scene.

Anyway, got any suggestions?

 

Michael

Visit My Website

[GaryK]

Michael, so that this thread can remain on-topic please look for a PM from me in a few minutes.

[Libby Drew]

Interesting, all this, but sadly it doesn't mean much to me, as I'm not even on square zero in this whole publishing business. I wonder if these publishers feel threatened by other media -- films, television. I would. These niche-reaching seems like a sign of it. Maybe I'm being paranoid.

 

In any case, I do think it a turn for the better than "gay fiction" might get mainstreamed, even though I feel queasy at the label. Mainstreamed gay fiction -- what's that supposed to mean? I hope it's not a crap that glorifies the expected stereotypes.

 

Edited to add: I hope you have a great vacation, Libby! The whole unplugged business is probably easier to promise than to keep...

 

 

Thanks, corvus! I'm having a great time.

 

Even for those of us -- like me (mostly) -- who consider their writing no more than a pleasurable pasttime, this move to "e-media" will have some affect. Eventually, I think it's inevitable. I'd like to think there's good and bad there. On the good, we'll see the genre of fiction we love get more exposure. And to that end, more respect. On the bad, I've already seen some of the internet authors I've followed for years succumb to the lure of online publishing -- the kind that requires their readers to pay in order to read their fiction. Granted, it's not a huge dollar amount, nothing like buying a print book, but I suppose after so many years of enjoying quality fiction online for free (so much of which is better than anything I could pick up and Barnes and Noble, for example) it's a little sad. Though, of course, I'm happy they've found the success they've been seeking.

 

As for feeling threatened, I'm sure there's some truth to that. After all, whenever any established industry feels its market being eroded, it's not going to be happy. I don't think there's any stopping it, though. I suppose they'll adapt or sink.