SLIPPING BETWEEN GENRES
Guest blog by Kevin Klehr
First off, I’d like to thank M.D. Neu for inviting me over to talk about my new novel. But before I do, I want to discuss an issue some gay authors face.
Recently, a friend asked me what I’d been up to and I told her I’d been writing. She knew I had several books out and said, “You write erotica, don’t you?” I could feel the irritation rising inside me, but I remained poker faced and replied “No, I don’t,” then continued to calmly tell her what I’d been working on.
To be fair, I have written one dirty book. I don’t promote it. It’s not on the banner of my socials as it sells itself. But this experience with my friend highlighted once again how gay authors are often pigeonholed.
When my first novel was released, one of the reviews stated, ‘don’t expect an HEA’. I stared at these three letters, scratching my head. Healthy evening appetite? Hasty eastbound angels? Highbrow Ethiopian ants? So, I googled.
The book was Drama Queens with Love Scenes which took many drafts in just as many years to write. I worked with an assessor for the initial versions, then had a stellar editor who reworked it with me over several months.
This editor was assigned to me by the first publisher of this book. When editing was about to begin, the head honcho sent me a curt email saying ‘You call this an erotic novel? This book will never see the light of day if you don’t spice it up!’
I didn’t just scratch my head, I stared at that email for ages in disbelief. The story is about gay unrequited love in the theatre district of the Afterlife. How could anyone mistake it for erotica?
I wrote back, still in disbelief, clarifying any confusion. However, my assigned editor insisted on three sex scenes. I stood my ground initially, but as this was my first book contract, I didn’t want to be a ‘difficult author’. The scenes were added, and two editions later, I still feel they’re not needed.
When I write a book, I don’t think about genre. Probably because I’m a movie buff and spent my twenty-something years watching modern classics like ‘She’s Gotta Have It’, ‘My Life As A Dog’ and ‘Wings of Desire’. Arthouse cinema was big in inner-city Sydney in the 90s. Breaking genre is what made film relevant at the time.
But as every book of mine has lovers of some sort, I’m often mistaken as a Romance writer. I’ve even been placed on Romance panels at Literary Festivals more than once. At Saints and Sinners in New Orleans, two of us admitted we didn’t think about genre when we “wrote our book.” A representative from a queer publishing house stood up and sternly told me I should not represent myself as a Romance writer! The image of her wagging her finger at me from between the aisles still haunts me.
That was back in 2014. Fast forward to today and I’m carefully considering how to market my new book, The Midnight Man. It falls into the Urban Fantasy/Magic Realism realm, like many of my works.
Last year’s release, Winter Masquerade, is about a man in an abusive relationship finding solace in the fantasy world he’s found himself in. I sent it to my usual handful of bloggers who like and ‘get’ my work. But a Romance based site I sent an advanced copy to, wrote to me saying their reviewer didn’t ‘get into it’, so they won’t be reviewing it. I emailed back letting them know it was okay as I had several excellent reviews already. Yes, I felt a bit smug replying, but it still flaws me how many queer review sites expect everything to be Romance.
I have nothing against Romance. I’ve written two novellas in that genre and have read some great contemporary novels based around a love story. I’m using one I just read to influence the relationship aspects of one of my works in progress.
And my new book has romantic elements. Its inspiration was the Kate Bush song ‘Man With the Child in His Eyes’ – a tale of a mystical lover who appears as the songwriter is about to go to sleep.
The plot is centred around Stanley, an insecure man who’s about to turn fifty. His mother is overprotective. His relationship is on the rocks. He feels like a failure. Then he meets Asher, a twenty-one-year-old who only appears in his dreams. And with each dream, Stan is a further five years younger than the last time he and Asher meet.
And even though a romance develops, my editor put the story in perspective when she said – “I liked what the story had to say about the good and bad aspects of getting older.” She’s right. That’s the novel’s main theme. Finding comfort with where you’re at as you age.
My challenge is to extend my list of bloggers and reviewers that don’t place all queer lit in the same basket. And as Sydney has been in lockdown thanks to the Delta strain of Covid, I’ve had plenty of time to research. And they are out there. It just takes longer to find them.
SOCIALS
Kevin's Website - https://kevinklehr.com/
Kevin's Twitter - https://twitter.com/kevinklehr
Kevin's Author Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DramaQueensWithLoveScenes
Kevin's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/klehrkevin/
Kevin's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/KevinKlehr
Kevin’s NineStar Press page - https://ninestarpress.com/authors/kevin-klehr/
If you enjoyed this guest post, be sure to check out:
Top 10 Facts about Concussion and Contentment by Liz Faraim (click here)
Witches, Fae and Werewolves…oh my! by Jeff Jackson (click here)
Top Ten things about WE CRY THE SEA by Glenn Quigley (click here)
Until next time I hope you stay safe and have a great week.