Male First-Person Protagonist

chris41336 · Jul 9, 2010

My question is basically my topic: do you guys think that a paranormal romance written in first-person from the male protagonists's perspective is publishable? I know that it depends on the writing, of course, but when an agent reads it I'm wondering if they think it would sell.

The fact is that most romance novels are meant for women, and having a male First-person view might hinder their ability to connect with the story.

What do you guys think?

sunandshadow · Jul 10, 2010

You're talking about written entirely from the male viewpoint, not just alternating between the male and female viewpoints? And I assume it's a straight romance? (Obviously with a male/male romance the viewpoint character would be male.)

Well, I don't think first person vs. third person is a problem. Entirely male viewpoint is going to make it harder to sell but a few published books like that do exist, so it's possible. Worst case scenario you sell it as urban fantasy rather than romance.

chris41336 · Jul 10, 2010

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. THe problem is that it would be pretty romantic for an urban fantasy...but I'll see what kind of responses I get for both. Thanks!

Cathy C · Jul 10, 2010

I did it, so it can be done. In fact, THREE of our Sazi books are first person male: Hunter's Moon, Moon's Web and Cold Moon Rising (same hero POV.) But the trick is that the reader still wants the heroine's POV. So you'll have to figure out some way to get it in there. Romance needs to be two sided, not one. We did it with telepathic communication. But it can happen in a variety of ways.

It'll take the right editor to fall in love, but since we got pubbed with the male POV, others have too. It's very possible.

Good luck!

Male First-Person Protagonist

chris41336

sunandshadow

Impractical Fantasy Animal

chris41336

Cathy C

Ooo! Shiny new cover!