I need a secretary. I had a post all set to go, but...actually it's scheduled for next week. So...what can I talk about?
Ah. So two very interesting posts in the last week or so. One was from an m/m writer by the name of Shawn Lane. I confess to being unfamiliar with Shawn's work. In fact, I only came across her because my name came up in one of those Google Alerts?
Have you tried setting up a Google Alert? It's hugely annoying. Every time someone mentions your name in a post -- or your name turns up in a sidebar or something -- you get a little notice from Google. It turns out that I actually do not WANT to be aware of all the times I'm mentioned. Not that people are saying rude things. Quite the opposite. But it makes me self-conscious. Very.
So no more Google Alerts. But I digress.
Shawn mentioned she was reading Dark Horse and White Knight, and I was curious enough to keep reading through her site, which looked interesting if largely because she often blogs on the topics that entertain me. So in passing I saw references to a post where Shawn mentioned she probably wasn't going to write for Ellora's Cave anymore as the powers that be had determined m/m was a "diminishing fad," and accordingly were discouraging m/m submissions.
And so Shawn was taking her work elsewhere (Loose Id, you might want to take a look at snatching Shawn up) as she couldn't see writing anything but m/m at this point in time.
And I sympathized with that, as I'm sort of in the same position -- although my choice is actually a different one from Shawn's. I am going to continue writing certain things strictly for the money because that money allows me to continue writing my passion -- which is gay lit.
Anyway, ironically Shawn's post came on the heels of a post from our own Allie of the Loose Id Quad. Allie's post fascinated me. Not in its content (which was...uh, no kidding) but in the fact that there was apparently a need to write such a post. Allie's point was that Loose Id is still publishing lots of wonderful romance stories that are not M/M. In fact, M/M is not the biggest seller for Loose Id. But it seems that because m/m fiction gets so much press these days some people are starting to believe that m/m is the bestselling genre around.
These are people who apparently have no access to bookstores, libraries, or Publisher's Weekly.
M/M romance is a niche-niche market. Does this honestly need to be said? No one writes m/m for money! Seriously. If you want money, you write m/f and you write for Harlequin. I say this as someone who has done both. (No, I'm not telling you under what name.) OF COURSE this is the way it is in the real world. Does this honest-to-God need to be pointed out?
Look around you. How many gay couples do you see? Okay, you folks in West Hollywood and San Francisco are excused from class today, but everyone else. Open your eyes. You are surrounded by heterosexual couples. This is where the market share lies. This is how the world works. It's mostly heterosexual, and gays are still working to get such simple things as...health benefits for domestic partners.
Because we all work in the realm of m/m writing -- which is romance writing (which is probably part of the problem) -- it's easy for us to start thinking all the world is in love with teh gay. And that that's the only thing that sells here in Romanlandia, and of course that's not true.
Toddle down to your local Baptist church if you want an eye-opener.
Here's a simple fact of life. The least money I ever made on a Harlequin romance was 20K. (No, I am NOT telling you under what name I wrote.) You want to talk money? It's in straight romance...category romance at that. If you are turning to m/m fiction for money...don't.
It's the wrong reason. I have yet to make 20K on any m/m or gay title I've written.
The first decision you make as a would-be writer is that of whether you are doing this for love or money. And, by the way, there is no wrong answer, but your honesty in answering will determine how much satisfaction you get from your writing career. There are things I write for love (and most of you have read them) and there are things I write for money (and more people have read those) and never the twain shall meet.
No, that's not true, because I do earn money for my m/m writing -- it's only when we compare numbers that we see what a very big gap there is between m/m and m/f. It's the difference between niche fiction and mainstream fiction. It's the difference between a stream and the Mississippi River. If you understand this, you're less likely to be disappointed.
Writing is a business, and we must all make business decisions, so when you make those decisions...seriously weigh what is important to you. For me, it's a balance. I write for money so that I can write for love.
And while I think EC is a bit premature in declaring the m/m market defunct, they are correct in that the current popularity is a bit of a fad. And the market will shrink. It doesn't matter to me because I was writing here long before the boom, and I will be writing long after the bust.
But if you're here for the gold dust, you might want to look elsewhere.
So the question for the day is...what do you write and why? Or, if you're a reader, what do you read -- and why -- and can you tell when someone seems to be writing simply to cash in on a trend?
And to make this interesting, comment on this post, and I'll send you your title of choice from my Loose Id backlist.
21 comments:
And while I think EC is a bit premature in declaring the m/m market defunct, they are correct in that the current popularity is a bit of a fad. And the market will shrink.
Dunno if I agree with that (which is really my nice way of saying 'omfg, ur RONG!').
I don't think the m/m market is defunct at all. It may be for them, because one of the many fucktards running the show over there decided m/m was the next big money maker and encouraged authors who had no interest in the genre to submit. The large majority of those stories were very obviously written by people who watched really bad foreign pr0n, then tried to write a romance book around what they assumed to be gay romance. Readers, highly intelligent smut lovers that we are, very rightly decided it was total crap and stopped buying our m/m from them and went to places who were doing it right.
One publisher not selling very well cannot be indicative of the marketability of the genre as a whole. Individual numbers at publishers might be dropping, but then again, more epubs are putting out m/m romance, so consumers have more places to go get it. I'd be more interested in numbers as a whole, rather than by publisher. Also, as the younger generations successively become more accepting of different sexual preferences in general, I think readers would be more likely to pick up an m/m book...and enjoy it.
Or, if you're a reader, what do you read -- and why -- and can you tell when someone seems to be writing simply to cash in on a trend?
It's no secret that about 99% of what I read is strictly m/m romance. The other 1% is the occasional m/m/f menage by a very, very small group of authors whose work I like (Morgan Hawke squee). I can't remember the last time I read het at all, never mind on a regular basis. I'm not picky about the sub-genre. Like most readers, I just appreciate a well-written book that doesn't read like every other cliched story I've read recently.
While most reviewers sort of delve into the motivations of the author of a particular story, I only know a few authors personally. It's easy to sort of speculate about motivations based on what an author writes consistently (ex: we all think Nica Berry hates men because Every. Single. One. Of Her Books Includes Men Getting Raped And Tortured. But who knows? Is maybe a personal kink). Can we assume that people writing in the genre to make a quick sell wouldn't be able to write a good book because there's no passion behind it? Authors would like to think so, writing being a Divine Gift From the Gods, but wanting to pay bills creates a passion all its own, lol.
I couldn't care less who an author is or why they chose to write what they did as long as they give me something entertaining.
Great post, Josh. I know I write m/m because I like to, not for the money. Though, to a stay at home mom, yeah, those few extra pennies help us play now and again. :)
I have to agree that there are more e-pubs putting out gay fiction which gives the reader more oportunity to explore different publishers and writers. That, in turn, makes it seem as if the numbers are going down for a publisher. And even if the market does shrink eventually, I'll still be reading and writing what I like - m/m fiction.
^-^ Okay...now what was that pen name for HQ? lol
This gives a very pertinent wake-up call on the state of the m/m market. It doesn't have to be taken with shock or depression - just some realism.
I write most definitely for my own desires. Note the more mainstream bodice-ripper I still have on my HD (it's a family joke now) which may well have publication legs if I could just find the time and - more importantly - the appetite to work on it again. But I'm drawn each time to a new m/m idea or project.
I’m reconciled to keeping on the day job because I think it’ll always be niche, at least for my foreseeable future. I think human nature has its niches, and whatever they are and however open people are toward alternatives, it’s a very basic bias. I don’t mean that to sound accusatory or aggressive, just how I see things. And fiction matches human nature. That can be thrilling and challenging, but also has to be realistic. I don’t think niche is bad or frustrating or painful, either. I like writing in this genre very much, and that’s partly for its community as well as the themes.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with writing to a plan, or deliberately meeting a market need. I would do it if I could harness my flaky Muse. What I *do* think is that people should avoid hypocrisy.
But I don't think the m/m market is shrinking pers se, either. What I *do* think is that it's ebbing and flowing in its (relatively) early days of public scrutiny. It needs to find its level and a proper consistency of quality and commitment from authors and publishers alike. Some authors will fall away then, and some publishers will tighten their currently all-welcoming arms.
I think if we want society to improve its approach to tolerance and inclusivity, popular fiction is a damned good barometer, and hopefully a motivational tool, too.
I think we have to keep encouraging the better-written, broader-themed fiction. That may be in m/m exclusively, or may include m/m characters. That kind of 'good' fiction should have a better opportunity and exposure now, whereas the fiction that's written to a template - or likes to think it is - will not last the course.
I worry that we're in danger of making m/m as exclusive and clique-y as we accuse het fiction of being, but that's maybe a topic for another day.
I continue to blather on about how and why I buy books - which BTW cover all genres. I buy for the quality of style and the ability of the author to tell a compelling story, whatever the theme. M/m is a treat for me at the moment, but not at the expense of a good tale (no pun included).
Good God, now *I'm* pontificating LOL.
Does it really matter what you write so long as it is well written? I think EC will keep taking MM that tells a worthwhile story. The problem is that any time a publisher says any little thing, people jump on it and treat it as gospel. Vampires are in. No they're out. Ack, no, back in again.
Same with MM. Maybe they've seen a downturn - I don't know. Is there anyone doing an indepth analysis of figures for each genre and each publisher and each author come to that. Doubtful. So bad writing in an over-subscribed genre could cause a blip.
Once I switched from suspense to romance, I started with MF, played around with MFM with a bit of MM included and am thinking of a stand on its own MM. Am I put off by the thought that EC aren't looking for that anymore? Am I put off that it won't earn me as much money? No. I hope that if it's well enough written - it will find a home.If it doesn't - too bad, I'll have enjoyed writing it.
I chose not to write for the series people a long while ago when I started off. I knew that it was the way to make money from writing but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I wish now that I'd sucked it up and tried. It would have been a way in and it's taken me a lot longer to get into the business because I insisted on writing what I liked and not what publishers wanted. Pg-headed to the end. And poor.
Dunno if I agree with that (which is really my nice way of saying 'omfg, ur RONG!').
That's okay. I've been wrong before. I don't think the m/m market will go away, but I think the readers who were only reading for the novelty of sex between men will wander off to something new. It's the nature of the beast.
Most -- the vast majority -- of the m/m reader base will continue on rejoicing like kids in candy stores -- because for the m/m reader this is a golden age. Yes, there's dreck, but...even ten years ago the majority of m/m romance was being written in private little slash fandoms -- no one outside of fandom even knew that stuff existed. So to have hundreds and hundreds of books suddenly available? It really is exciting -- even if you have to pick and choose.
I don't think the m/m market is defunct at all. It may be for them, because one of the many fucktards running the show over there decided m/m was the next big money maker and encouraged authors who had no interest in the genre to submit. The large majority of those stories were very obviously written by people who watched really bad foreign pr0n, then tried to write a romance book around what they assumed to be gay romance. Readers, highly intelligent smut lovers that we are, very rightly decided it was total crap and stopped buying our m/m from them and went to places who were doing it right.
I confess to not reading more than a handful of Ellora's Cave titles(those godawful covers!!). I read a Jez Morrow title about a couple of werewolves, and I (guiltily)liked that but that was pretty much it. My impression is EC seems to have a distinct...formula/style, so if it works for you, you'll be really happy, and it doesn't...
(to be continued)
One publisher not selling very well cannot be indicative of the marketability of the genre as a whole. Individual numbers at publishers might be dropping, but then again, more epubs are putting out m/m romance, so consumers have more places to go get it.
Yes. Which is why I actually approve of EC backing away from the m/m market. There's enough of a glut that I personally think the genre as a whole would benefit from having fewer but better crafted titles -- and I can't help thinking these will come from the writers who actually love the genre.
I'd be more interested in numbers as a whole, rather than by publisher. Also, as the younger generations successively become more accepting of different sexual preferences in general, I think readers would be more likely to pick up an m/m book...and enjoy it.
I think a lot of the devoted fan base IS made up of younger readers, frankly.
Or, if you're a reader, what do you read -- and why -- and can you tell when someone seems to be writing simply to cash in on a trend?
I would say it partly depends on the skill of the writer, but a lot of these writers aren't at that level yet.
It's no secret that about 99% of what I read is strictly m/m romance. The other 1% is the occasional m/m/f menage by a very, very small group of authors whose work I like (Morgan Hawke squee). I can't remember the last time I read het at all, never mind on a regular basis. I'm not picky about the sub-genre. Like most readers, I just appreciate a well-written book that doesn't read like every other cliched story I've read recently.
To me you're the classic m/m reader. You're not going anywhere. You love the genre and you love having so much to choose from. But there are a lot of readers for whom it's basically all about what page does the sex start on. And those are the readers who will glut themselves and then move on. They're reading for the novelty, the kink. And this is not a bad thing, by the way, but it's not the makeup of the true m/m fan.
While most reviewers sort of delve into the motivations of the author of a particular story, I only know a few authors personally. It's easy to sort of speculate about motivations based on what an author writes consistently (ex: we all think Nica Berry hates men because Every. Single. One. Of Her Books Includes Men Getting Raped And Tortured. But who knows? Is maybe a personal kink). Can we assume that people writing in the genre to make a quick sell wouldn't be able to write a good book because there's no passion behind it? Authors would like to think so, writing being a Divine Gift From the Gods, but wanting to pay bills creates a passion all its own, lol.
Hey true enough. I've written plenty of things through the years -- and continue to write -- merely to afford to be able to write what I do love. But that's merely like having a day job -- which is the case for most writers. Most writers don't make a living writing fiction.
I couldn't care less who an author is or why they chose to write what they did as long as they give me something entertaining.
No, my point is merely...if you are doing it for money, there are many more lucrative genres. I've heard a number of m/f writers complain on boards and lists that no one is talking about anything but m/m, but again, the overall percentage of m/m titles to m/f is still quite small. The difference being that for m/m readers this is a time of bounty. *g* Of course they're rejoicing -- after years of hunting for titles with trace m/m elements?! Whereas for m/f readers, well, it's business as usual. You're not going to get that level of delighted surprise to find the safe standing wide open.
Great post, Josh. I know I write m/m because I like to, not for the money. Though, to a stay at home mom, yeah, those few extra pennies help us play now and again. :)
Absolutely. I've paid my mortgage more than once on my m/m earnings. But I bought my house on my mainstream writing. That's just the reality.
The other reality is that the mainstream writing is like a lot of day jobs. Tedious hard work. (Although it's still better than a REAL day job.)
I have to agree that there are more e-pubs putting out gay fiction which gives the reader more oportunity to explore different publishers and writers. That, in turn, makes it seem as if the numbers are going down for a publisher.
A lot of it gets down to market share, absolutely. It can also simply be a publisher reminding writers of the reality, which is m/m is NOT the only game in town. Clearly a lot of m/f writers are misreading the buzz about m/m and thinking that their own titles aren't selling as well as they should, when in fact their own titles are probably outselling the m/m titles. The difference being that m/m readers are so loyal, so devoted, so outspoken...it's natural to a) want that for your own work, b) think that it automatically translates into big sales.
And even if the market does shrink eventually, I'll still be reading and writing what I like - m/m fiction.
I think this is how it is for most of us, Marty. The only writers this kind of thing affects are those who are thinking...hmmm, well my financial survival apparently depends on learning to write such and such. Because this is a misreading of the signs on the trail. *g*
^-^ Okay...now what was that pen name for HQ? lol
I swallowed it in a yawn. *g*
This gives a very pertinent wake-up call on the state of the m/m market. It doesn't have to be taken with shock or depression - just some realism.
It's been coming for a long time, what surprised me was that this would apparently be news to anyone. But so many writers in ebook publishing are really, really new. Even if they've been writing for years, this is the first publishing they've done. And if I look back in the murky past, yes, I too had a learning curve so steep that it embarrasses me to recall. *g*
I write most definitely for my own desires. Note the more mainstream bodice-ripper I still have on my HD (it's a family joke now) which may well have publication legs if I could just find the time and - more importantly - the appetite to work on it again. But I'm drawn each time to a new m/m idea or project.
In my household it's a balance. I had to agree to take on a lot of the stuff that bores me to compensate for dropping the very lucrative day job. It was only fair. I look at it much as I looked at the dayjob...I do this to be able to afford that.
I’m reconciled to keeping on the day job because I think it’ll always be niche, at least for my foreseeable future. I think human nature has its niches, and whatever they are and however open people are toward alternatives, it’s a very basic bias. I don’t mean that to sound accusatory or aggressive, just how I see things.
I think sometimes people read "niche" as denigration. But it's not. Finding your niche is part of branding, and becoming successful -- known -- at what you do is through establishing your "brand." Regency romance is a niche. It's a big niche compared to m/m fiction, but it's still a relatively small niche compared to contemporary romance. And it's a classic example of a market that boomed, busted, and now has a strong and healthy hardcore readership. Not every publisher publishes Regency, but the ones who do it tend to do it well -- and to reap the benefits.
That can be thrilling and challenging, but also has to be realistic. I don’t think niche is bad or frustrating or painful, either. I like writing in this genre very much, and that’s partly for its community as well as the themes.
I think that's part of what throws writers outside of it. M/M is such an enthusiastic, loyal, outspoken community of readers that if you're not really alert to publishing and bookselling in general, you might start to think that it's the only game in town. But a quick trip to the local bookstore should disabuse anyone of that notion.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with writing to a plan, or deliberately meeting a market need. I would do it if I could harness my flaky Muse. What I *do* think is that people should avoid hypocrisy.
A good writer can write anything. That's pretty much it. My point only is that if you ARE going to write for money, you need to know where the money is. *g*
THAT'S the thing that cracks me up. The idea of -- and I've actually heard writers say this -- financial survival depends on learning to write m/m. If m/m is more lucrative than what these writers WERE writing...what in God's green acres were they writing?!
Poetry maybe.
But I don't think the m/m market is shrinking pers se, either. What I *do* think is that it's ebbing and flowing in its (relatively) early days of public scrutiny. It needs to find its level and a proper consistency of quality and commitment from authors and publishers alike. Some authors will fall away then, and some publishers will tighten their currently all-welcoming arms.
Yes. Right now if you write m/m you can find a publisher. Okay, maybe not at EC. Maybe not at your publisher of choice, but you will absolutely be published.
I think if we want society to improve its approach to tolerance and inclusivity, popular fiction is a damned good barometer, and hopefully a motivational tool, too.
Popular fiction is one of the best tools for learning about a society, absolutely.
I think we have to keep encouraging the better-written, broader-themed fiction. That may be in m/m exclusively, or may include m/m characters. That kind of 'good' fiction should have a better opportunity and exposure now, whereas the fiction that's written to a template - or likes to think it is - will not last the course.
Yes, but...it's market driven. There's either a demand or there's not. And when it comes to romance, readers choose what feeds their fantasy.
I worry that we're in danger of making m/m as exclusive and clique-y as we accuse het fiction of being, but that's maybe a topic for another day.
Do we accuse het fiction of being exclusive and clique-y?! Personally, I'd have to say the shoe is on the other foot -- absolutely.
I continue to blather on about how and why I buy books - which BTW cover all genres. I buy for the quality of style and the ability of the author to tell a compelling story, whatever the theme. M/m is a treat for me at the moment, but not at the expense of a good tale (no pun included).
It's a golden age for m/m fiction, there's no doubt in my mind.
Does it really matter what you write so long as it is well written? I think EC will keep taking MM that tells a worthwhile story.
I suspect that what motivated that comment was the same thing that motivated Loose Id's reassurance to writers. Writers hear the buzz -- and it is remarkable -- for m/m fiction and they start thinking that's all anyone is interested in -- including the publisher.
And of course that's not the case. Most of these publishers are still putting out three m/f titles for every single m/m. In fact, if all their authors suddenly, mistakenly start turning in m/m submissions because they're under the mistaken notion that m/m is the only thing really selling...that's trouble.
The problem is that any time a publisher says any little thing, people jump on it and treat it as gospel. Vampires are in. No they're out. Ack, no, back in again.
And these things go in cycles.
Same with MM. Maybe they've seen a downturn - I don't know. Is there anyone doing an indepth analysis of figures for each genre and each publisher and each author come to that. Doubtful. So bad writing in an over-subscribed genre could cause a blip.
I don't think there's a downturn yet. I think what publishers are likely reacting to are writers misreading the signs. This is a tough economy. Readers are picking and choosing. So if you're m/f numbers are down and you keep hearing about how hot m/m is, you're liable to think, well hell, that's what I need to write. And in fact your "down" numbers may still be higher than what you'll earn writing m/m.
Once I switched from suspense to romance,
Which, right there, a lot of romance readers prefer a straight romance to a mystery or suspense which seems maybe too plot intensive.
I started with MF, played around with MFM with a bit of MM included and am thinking of a stand on its own MM. Am I put off by the thought that EC aren't looking for that anymore? Am I put off that it won't earn me as much money? No. I hope that if it's well enough written - it will find a home.If it doesn't - too bad, I'll have enjoyed writing it.
I'm a firm believer in cream rising. Good books find an audience -- although it can take a while and the author will have to do his share in promoting.
Enjoying what you right is that main thing since relatively few people are earning a living at this. For the vast majority of writers their fictional writing is always going to be supplemental income. So you may as well enjoy what you're writing.
I chose not to write for the series people a long while ago when I started off. I knew that it was the way to make money from writing but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I wish now that I'd sucked it up and tried. It would have been a way in and it's taken me a lot longer to get into the business because I insisted on writing what I liked and not what publishers wanted. Pg-headed to the end. And poor.
I don't know that series sells so well out here in electronic publishing. It's worked for me -- and it certainly works in big league publishing -- but there are a number of publishers in electronic publishing who put a cap on the number of series books they'll do. I have to assume either a)inexperience or b) readers are different out here in epublishing.
Well, the other possibility is a lot of writers are learning their craft doing ebooks, and they aren't quite ready to pull off a series?
I don't know. I do know that if you're going to write for money (which I assume we all do to some extent) you need to pay attention to where the money actually is.
I write what I like to read, mostly. When a story takes hold of me and it's interesting to me, then I write it.
Quite often that ends up as M/M simply because that's where my mind goes. I tried to take it out of my novel and go mainstream mystery, but the story wouldn't let me. I lost interest in writing it.
I know I'm not likely to ever hit a stage where I could make a decent living on my writing, so I've opted to take the route that will keep it satisfying and fun. (Don't get me wrong...I try to think ahead and if it seems like I might be destined for greatness, I'm prepared to grab that).
As for the state of M/M, I think there will always be a demand for it, and those who write well will always have an audience
Elle Parker
http://elleparkerbooks.blogspot.com/
I can certainly think of easier ways to make money than watching the pronouns as closely as we m/m authors must do! ;)
I write what I like to read, mostly. When a story takes hold of me and it's interesting to me, then I write it.
I think this is key to having a successful career. I really do. Not that loving something makes you automatically good at it, but I think it's so much more satisfying to write what you enjoy -- to LIKE what you do for a living.
Quite often that ends up as M/M simply because that's where my mind goes. I tried to take it out of my novel and go mainstream mystery, but the story wouldn't let me. I lost interest in writing it.
Well, and unless you're making enough money to make it worth your time...why not do what you love to do?
I know I'm not likely to ever hit a stage where I could make a decent living on my writing, so I've opted to take the route that will keep it satisfying and fun. (Don't get me wrong...I try to think ahead and if it seems like I might be destined for greatness, I'm prepared to grab that).
Most people who make a living at writing do it through non-fiction. That's just the reality. And if you can't make a living on your fiction, if you're just doing it for supplemental income, then you SHOULD make sure you're enjoying it. Absolutely.
As for the state of M/M, I think there will always be a demand for it, and those who write well will always have an audience
Yep. I agree.
I can certainly think of easier ways to make money than watching the pronouns as closely as we m/m authors must do! ;)
I'll say!
I was reading something last night, and the author kept using one of the protag's name in every single sentence of the bedroom scene. It became so disruptive I totally lost the thread of action -- I kept thinking WHO ELSE WOULD BE IN HERE?
Granted, if it was menage, I guess that would be a valid question. *g*
Am only a reader and I read only m/m (actually, not entirely true, as I read non-fiction and some SF/SFF - but not the romantic kind). I don't read menage or m/f and I generally buy those stories with relationship and plot (murder-mystery is a favourite, probably because I read my first Agatha Christie when I was 10). There doesn't need to be sex, but there does need to be character/relationship progress. If it isn't an ongoing series, there must be an HEA! *g*
The dynamic of the m/m relationship is certainly part of the draw - tropes from romance can be used, with a special twist because of the same gender protagonists - and the removal of the female character means I don't have to champion or bemoan her actions, I can simply sit back and enjoy the story (well, readers are voyeurs, aren't we?).
I no longer buy much fiction the traditional way and little of it was traditional anyway (it is easy to forget that not everyone reads High Fantasy or Space Opera), so anything I spend on m/m fiction (and I spend far too much!) is not money I would have spent on other books (I would read more slash fanfic instead) by the same publishers. I hope there continues to be quality m/m fiction available and will certainly continue to patronise (in the very best sense of the word) the authors/publishers/sites as long as there are stories to read.
If I had any influence on the publishers or shopping sites, I'd like to see the GLBT, Gay, m/m stories more easily accessible - some of them are definitely Erotica, but others aren't (and it can be difficult to locate the stories you are interested in if the category brings up 300 titles ... 3 of which may be of interest).
If anyone asked me what the current fad or trend in fiction is today, I would have said "menage". I seem to see menage stories everywhere (sorry, recently bought books I thought were m/m. I'll be sticking to rec's and detailed examination of the author's other stuff before I "impulse" buy again - it is my own fault, blurbs do not tell the whole story. *g*).
In a weird way, I do hope the m/m market shrinks, but only in that I would like to see a more coherent (meaning the stories are easier to find) approach. With the slash fandoms being so active, I do think that the next generation of m/m writers is only a step away, so many of those making the decision to walk into the world of original fiction will be doing so with all the experience of writing "in public", of rejection, of betas/editors (I know this is already happening and has happened before, but it seems to be more and more likely these days that a "new writer" is going to be one with both writing confidence and social networking skills). Doesn't that have to be good news?
"No, I am NOT telling you under what name I wrote."
How about which line? Sigh, you said this to drive some of us nuts trying to figure it out didn't you.
As to why I read m/m? Why not. I read my first m/m book in the early 80's (I think I was around 15) it was a Gordon Merrick book and I had no idea that m/m books even existed. I have always read whatever interested me if the blurb sounds good I am going to read the book. I don't think there is a genre or sub-genre I haven't read at least one book about. However all of my favourite books have had at least a little romance in them regardless of what the genre actually is.
I have started reading more m/m since I discovered ebooks. I would say 90% of my e purchases are m/m. My print purchases however are whatever interests me the day I am in the bookstore. The quality of some of the writing/editing in a few m/m purchases has been poor but I could say the same about my print purchases. I think one the things I have liked best about m/m so far is that I have not yet come a across a character who falls into the too stupid to live category.
M/M has just increased my book buying habits. If I read a book and really enjoy then I start hunting down the authors backlist.
So back to my orginal question what Harlequin line was that?
And 'they' said vampires were dead! And, now, look at the success of Twilight.
I write M/M because I love it. I write M/F because I love it. I do look at the market and what genre is popular at the moment, but if the subject doesn't move me, I don't write it. It's never about the money. If I was so concerned about making a buck, I'd be in another career!
I'm not saying you can't make money writing, but I agree with Josh, you have to be realistic about the market.
What's success anyway? There's the tangible success if your book hits the best seller list. But what about the intangibles: writing a good, solid story that touches your reader; the sheer joy of the creative process.
I read a lot of M/M fiction. I am also an avid yaoi reader. The last four books I've read were M/M mysteries and one western gay romance. I always will read it. Will I always write it? I hope to.
Viki Lyn
In a weird way, I do hope the m/m market shrinks, but only in that I would like to see a more coherent (meaning the stories are easier to find) approach. With the slash fandoms being so active, I do think that the next generation of m/m writers is only a step away, so many of those making the decision to walk into the world of original fiction will be doing so with all the experience of writing "in public", of rejection, of betas/editors (I know this is already happening and has happened before, but it seems to be more and more likely these days that a "new writer" is going to be one with both writing confidence and social networking skills). Doesn't that have to be good news?
It does.
I only have experience of one fandom, and I don't know if what I've observed there is standard or not. I do know that I've heard from a number of editors that slash writers sometimes have trouble transitioning into original fiction because they *aren't* used to a lot of intense editing, and because the process of creating original characters is often new to them. But that could be entirely different in this new generation of slashers.
It's fascinating in that there's this generation that have basically grown up on the net.
M/M has just increased my book buying habits. If I read a book and really enjoy then I start hunting down the authors backlist.
I do this too. If I really like a book or an author, I hunt down the entire backlist. Once in a while there's the disappointment of a writer who only once manages to write a story or characters I love, but usually not.
And what a pleasure it is to stumble on a writer I love. It's like...Christmas.
What's success anyway? There's the tangible success if your book hits the best seller list. But what about the intangibles: writing a good, solid story that touches your reader; the sheer joy of the creative process.
Absolutely. This is why it really helps if a writer knows why he or she is writing before they start out. Because fame and fortune...not so much. But I think loving what you do, finding satisfaction in the work...it gives meaning to one's life. And I do not exaggerate when I say that.
I read a lot of M/M fiction. I am also an avid yaoi reader. The last four books I've read were M/M mysteries and one western gay romance. I always will read it. Will I always write it? I hope to.
This is the thing, even if I could not longer publish it -- if the market changed or something drastic happened -- I'd still write it for my pleasure. I might write it more in vignettes or scenes as opposed to full stories, but I'd still write it. Because that's what I did for years.
by the way, if you commented on this post previous to this comment, and would like a title from my backlist, just drop me a line through my website and tell me what title you'd like.
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