What makes a novel fall into the gay/lesbian genre?

[WhetherOrNot]

Does anyone know what makes a novel fall into the gay/lesbian genre. I have a lesbian supporting character. The first chapter begins with her, though she isn't the main character. However, I don't want an agent or publisher to pigeonhole it into gay/lesbian fiction based on that. How can I prevent this, particularly with so few agents handling gay/lesbian fiction?

Trish

[brinkett]

Having a gay/lesbian character doesn't make it gay/lesbian fiction so I wouldn't worry. If it's a book that's more likely to appeal to gays and lesbians than to anyone else, then it might be considered gay/lesbian fiction.

[clara bow]

Seems to me that your query letter would go a long way towards defining the genre of your book. Depending on how integral the supporting lesbian character is to the plot, you may not even need to mention her up front. If any agent disagrees with your take on the genre, then either he/she will pigeonhole the book regardless of what you tell them, or maybe he/she is accurately discerning that the book has strong elements of the gay/lesbian genre. It may not be such a black or white issue, either. I guess one question to explore is, do the gay/lesbian aspects *serve* the story, or *are* they the story? Sounds like you believe the former. Hopefully the agents will, too, then, especially if you craft your query that way.

[katiemac]

A minor character won't put your novel into that category. Think romance or erotica, but with homosexual characters. (Or mystery, adventure, etc. as Brinkett and Veinglory will point out.)

When you query agents and publishers and you say you have an 90,000 word mystery thriller and they request it, they shouldn't "pigeonhole" you just because of one character. For example, publishers don't automatically assume that just because a character is female, it's a "chick lit" novel.

I'm assuming the character's sexuality is necessary in the first chapter, so I won't mention that fact. However, as long as that isn't the main focus of the chapter you should be fine. The themes of your true genre should appear in the first chapter and be evident enough that the minor character's sexuality isn't more imporant.

I edited a manuscript a few months ago where the main character was homosexual, but the manuscript was still first and foremost science fiction.

[veinglory]

Gay/lesbian is a category some people opt into to get more sales if their main characters is gay or lesbian. The genre still tends to be a standard one like romance, adventure etc. Plenty of mainstream books just happen to have some gay or lesbian characters but don't exploit this angle.

[brinkett]

A minor character won't put your novel into that category. Think romance or erotica, but with homosexual characters.

It doesn't have to be romance or erotica. There are plenty of good gay/lesbian mystery series out there, etc.

[WhetherOrNot]

You've all been very helpful. My lesbian character's sexuality definitely "serves" the story, in that it makes her a target. That's important since she's of crucial importance to the main character. But the novel is not about her sexuality. In addition, the novel would certainly appeal to gays and straights alike. I've had readers from both orientations, read it and like it. Very good then. I think I have a suspense or thriller. This would be an easier sell, I think. Thanks again.

Trish

[Kiva Wolfe]

I have a gay supporting character, too, but the main character is heterosexual and what I have written leans toward adventure-suspense.

Unless you feel more comfortable using the word suspense, which to me never seems to sit well without a qualifier, I'd keep it simple and go with thriller. You're absolutely right. While the bar is high, you've chosen to write in a genre that sells.

Best wishes for your success.

[WhetherOrNot]

Thanks Kiva. Have you had any luck getting yours published? Or are you still writing it?

Trish

[maestrowork]

My novel has minor gay characters. The main story, however, is hetero. And yes, it will be published in November.

No agents/publishers worth their salt would pigeonhole your book as gay/lesbian because you begin the story with a gay/lesbian character.

[Diana Hignutt]

My most recent novel is a fantasy novel. It deals with a transgender heroine (a prince transformed into a princess) who's married, so by definition we have a same-sex marriage as a major starting point of the book. Both in my publisher's opinion and my own it is just a fantasy novel, or perhaps a fantasy thriller. Reviewers have classified it as romantic fantasy, fantasy thriller, dark fantasy, fantasy mystery. I think this is because I try to present the love relationship as a very strong one, but not particularly as a lesbian relationship. The book was nominated for the Gaylactic Spectrum Award by some readers, but it didn't win or place. It was reviewed by Lambda Rising, but they felt the gblt content was minor, even though they went on to say the the love relationship between the two main characters was one of the best things about the book. A loving, married relationship between two women, though through the bulk of the book they are separated and struggling to get to each other. It finished as a finalist for the ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year Award for science fiction, and a semi-finalist for the IPPY for science fiction/fantasy. I'm sure I have more non-gblt readers than I do gblt (though some tg folks read me just because I'm ts and I write for Transgender Tapestry). So, with all of that, my book still isn't considered gay/lesbian, nor is it. It's just a (great) fantasy tale that happens to have a a transsexual heroine. Confused yet?

diana

[WhetherOrNot]

This is all good to know. Thanks guys.

[Kiva Wolfe]

Hi Trish. Yes, I have a publisher for my first novel, albeit a new and small press, but they impress me and treat me well. I just received word that the release date has moved up to November of this year. It's exciting!

[WhetherOrNot]

That's fantastic, Kiva. Congratulations!

Trish