Is this a test or something? Because if I were grading it there are a few wrong answers going on here. I mean, obviously this was a list created by a reader but how do they know? Do they physically check the author or something?
It’s one thing for an author to share in context on their website and tell their story or give their background because readers do like to get to know the authors. The real issue for me is DOES a list like this become inherently problematic or really matter and do the authors that end up getting listed (OH JOY!) really want their gender to be made such a fuss over? What if the information is wrong for whatever reason or hurtful to the author? It’s a list with no real context.
I could dash off a list of bisexuals and “closet cases” who wrote Gay Lit too but it would be highly judgmental and probably misinformed and could be endlessly argued over because most of them are dead now… which should surprise no one since I read the classics a long time ago so to speak. Not to mention the information of a list like that means absolutely nothing to anyone since it has nothing to do with what they actually wrote which is the point I am trying to make.
I don’t know… but if I was an author of whatever gender this is one of those things that would make me feel a bit uncomfortable. Sorta like thanks but no thanks because I would always wonder what this information which is currently incorrect might be used for and by what nutcase…
Tags: eBook Commentary
Emilie wrote,
I saw a couple of names that I didn’t think were male authors. The thing I really noticed, though, was that a number of those books weren’t romances. I’m used to using “m/m fiction” and “m/m romance” nearly synonomously. A lot of the books could just be classified as gay fiction, and a few as YA (young adult) fiction. I remember you saying that you were going to refer to m/m romance as gay romance. I do that to some extent, depending on the book in question.
And, yes, there are a lot of men who lived bisexual lives and wrote Gay Lit. Even now, a fair number of gay men marry women, as you’ve noted. The pressure to do that was much higher even a generation ago, let alone decades ago.
Link | September 20th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
That was why I said the list itself has no context or real explanation and does not even explain the type of story like romance or erotica or simply fiction etc etc…
What if this list was about Lesbian Erotica and the guy was married at some point in his life? Does that make the sex more authentic than some gay guy who never had sex with a woman? Is it more acceptable when a gay guy writes Lesbian Erotica than a straight guy because they deal with same gender relationship issues?
I have never heard anyone explain that can of worms. Why not something new for a change?
The assumptions this list makes is already shaky enough that explaining it only will make it worse I think.
Link | September 20th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Jessica Freely wrote,
I started reading the comments on the Goodreads list and had to stop because I’m on frigging deadline and I can’t get drawn into this argument again. I’m so tired of being called on the carpet for doing what I love. Why is it that everyone questions women’s entitlement to write whatever we damn well please?
Link | September 20th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Steven wrote,
I don’t question a woman’s desire to write whatever she pleases but the believability of a story or book on mm romance by a woman is stretching it a bit besides I can not see how a woman could possibility know the true romance of such the behind closed doors scenes,any more than a male writer could a FF romance.
Besides it just means so much more if especially it is non fiction and written by a male author especially one who in youth are currently is of such orientation.
Link | April 19th, 2011 at 2:44 am