Why is it so hard to find either agents or publishers prepared to take on gay fiction in the UK?
Replies
My first thought was: is it?
But then, I suppose it depends what you mean by Gay literature. Alan Hollinghurst? Terry Ronald? Virginia Woolf? Patrick Gale? Armistead Maupin? Sarah Waters?
What makes you feel it's difficult to find a publisher or agent?
Gay fiction is still considered niche. As soon as something is labelled niche is unlikely to be picked up by agents and publishers because they stand a better chance of high sales in the mainstream. At least, that's the official answer.
But about 50 or so backbench Tory MPs have recently convinced me it's because we still have a little way to go when it comes to LGBT issues.
Despite the fact that we are in 2013 there still seems to be a slight prejudice towards taboo subjects. Being gay is a taboo subject in some peoples minds. Secondly know publisher wants to be seen promoting or be seen condoning anything (out of the ordinary) for the fear of backlash. I can just see the book now on the shelf of Water stones. (50 shades of powderpuffs ) Makes me Wanna order a copy now.
My first thought was: is it?
But then, I suppose it depends what you mean by Gay literature. Alan Hollinghurst? Terry Ronald? Virginia Woolf? Patrick Gale? Armistead Maupin? Sarah Waters?
What makes you feel it's difficult to find a publisher or agent?
Gay fiction is still considered niche. As soon as something is labelled niche is unlikely to be picked up by agents and publishers because they stand a better chance of high sales in the mainstream. At least, that's the official answer.
But about 50 or so backbench Tory MPs have recently convinced me it's because we still have a little way to go when it comes to LGBT issues.
Despite the fact that we are in 2013 there still seems to be a slight prejudice towards taboo subjects. Being gay is a taboo subject in some peoples minds. Secondly know publisher wants to be seen promoting or be seen condoning anything (out of the ordinary) for the fear of backlash. I can just see the book now on the shelf of Water stones. (50 shades of powderpuffs ) Makes me Wanna order a copy now.
Good Luck