A lot of women in particular like to talk trash about those combos for some reason, at least when the main character is female and there isn't a love triangle.
Frankly, I'm grateful for when unearned vitriol comes my way. It clarifies whether I need to care about anything they say in the future. I've lost friends over the decades, but I usually end up feeling not so much loss as "lighter" after letting go of the drama they continually brought me.
Mind you, if I earned that vitriol, I do what I can to mend fences.
They beat me over the head saying "representation matters!" They removed my representation from their books and movies, so I stopped showing up. Now they're mad and call me names? Do they need to be told "representation matters?"
It was never about representation; it is about control. They want you to give up and walk away ... and instead, you are finding your own pleasures without them.
He kind of lost a lot of credibility when he referred to those books as "Booktok slop." Like what you like, but it's not necessary (or a good look, especially for another author) to disparage or belittle other books.
...No, dude. The problem is that no one feels comfortable having specific target audiences anymore, and that means everything goes towards large and normal reader demographics. You know, like middle-aged women who want romance.
You miss the point. We are PEOPLE. We like what we like as INDIVIDUALS. All this gender stuff is CULTURALLY IMPOSED ON US. I, for one, will not do that to anyone. My books are for all.
If your attitude towards that stuff is that it's an irrelevant matter of manipulation, you're not going to have any respect for who your readers actually are. Even if that doesn't shine through directly, it's going to severely narrow down the things that you can depict in insightful or relatable ways. If you truly buy into the idea that gender is a personality type, then at least show it the consideration you would show the personality types of potential readers.
I write romance, but other than the three books I had published early in my career, I can’t get a bite from publishers or agents. I really hate to think it’s because I’m a man, but I suspect that’s part of it.
I do book merchandising in major store book sections and definitely see the void for male readers (esp young adult/teen) seeking male-centric novels. There are some popular options out there (Murtaugh, Ranger's Apprentice, a variety of graphic novels...) but majority of titles are female-centric. Would be great to see new, non-fantasy novels to bust out with young man appeal again, like The Outsiders and others did in the past.
I’m with you, friend. I think books of all stripes should have an audience appropriate for whatever their appeal is, as long as it’s not inappropriate for that audience (such as books about sex pushed on children!).
It’s a crying shame what is happening to men in our culture. The Bible says in the end a woman will encompass a man, and, imo, this is all part of the end times, calling good evil and evil good. All part and parcel. Men don’t deserve this.
Men and women are both good, not evil. I celebrate the differences between them. I don’t need any Tampon Tim men! Yuck!
Thankfully, God is apparently going to mete out a little justice before the end gets here. Love seeing that.
Spoken in frustration, I believe, and may be more aimed at BookTok itself - but to hear our beloved genres demeaned due to some bad apples is still hard. The BookTok community is definitely a mixed bag, some good some bad.
OR they want a action/adventure/romance combo, which is what I do in some of my writing and long to do it in others.
YES - you seem to have the midas touch for pulling in readers of all stripes - a rare gift in this polarised age.
If that's so, how come nobody buys my books?
Your Encyclopedia of American Animation is a real treasure, and I would buy it if I were rich!!
Thank you. There are so many authors I know online for whom I would do the same thing, if possible.
Because nobody reads anymore. The economy is shot and nobody can afford anything. Infinity H1Bs and Nothing Good Has Ever Happened.
HUGS it will get better. YAYYYY
No, it won't. Nothing has ever gotten better. Nothing Good Has Ever Happened. All Has Always Been Lost.
Ashes and Echoes
A lot of women in particular like to talk trash about those combos for some reason, at least when the main character is female and there isn't a love triangle.
Yes- but is a love triangle appropriate for an MG setting? I wonder...
Frankly, I'm grateful for when unearned vitriol comes my way. It clarifies whether I need to care about anything they say in the future. I've lost friends over the decades, but I usually end up feeling not so much loss as "lighter" after letting go of the drama they continually brought me.
Mind you, if I earned that vitriol, I do what I can to mend fences.
This is the way. We learn from those we Anger - for good if we are wise!
A real inclusive bunch, huh? I love romance novels! If there is intrigue involved, I also love action packed novels.
The Female Gooning Epidemic Has Consequences. I don't think the audience is coming back, Hoss. Things just Don't Work Out.
Ashes and Echoes
We shall forge new markets beyond TradPub. That is where the audience is, and we will meet them there.
They beat me over the head saying "representation matters!" They removed my representation from their books and movies, so I stopped showing up. Now they're mad and call me names? Do they need to be told "representation matters?"
It was never about representation; it is about control. They want you to give up and walk away ... and instead, you are finding your own pleasures without them.
He kind of lost a lot of credibility when he referred to those books as "Booktok slop." Like what you like, but it's not necessary (or a good look, especially for another author) to disparage or belittle other books.
Time to stop categorizing readers by gender.
...No, dude. The problem is that no one feels comfortable having specific target audiences anymore, and that means everything goes towards large and normal reader demographics. You know, like middle-aged women who want romance.
You miss the point. We are PEOPLE. We like what we like as INDIVIDUALS. All this gender stuff is CULTURALLY IMPOSED ON US. I, for one, will not do that to anyone. My books are for all.
If your attitude towards that stuff is that it's an irrelevant matter of manipulation, you're not going to have any respect for who your readers actually are. Even if that doesn't shine through directly, it's going to severely narrow down the things that you can depict in insightful or relatable ways. If you truly buy into the idea that gender is a personality type, then at least show it the consideration you would show the personality types of potential readers.
I write romance, but other than the three books I had published early in my career, I can’t get a bite from publishers or agents. I really hate to think it’s because I’m a man, but I suspect that’s part of it.
Publish anyway - give your gift to your readers!
My 12th book comes out in August and, no matter how it happens, 12 more will follow!
I do book merchandising in major store book sections and definitely see the void for male readers (esp young adult/teen) seeking male-centric novels. There are some popular options out there (Murtaugh, Ranger's Apprentice, a variety of graphic novels...) but majority of titles are female-centric. Would be great to see new, non-fantasy novels to bust out with young man appeal again, like The Outsiders and others did in the past.
Oh wow Marinarena - it would be amazing to see your take on this in a video or article!
Please do grab me, reader me. Hold me in your fiery grip, deny me, feed me voraciously, then put me away hot and perspiring until the next time.
Strangely enough, most of my romantasy readers are men! I never expected that to happen but I’m glad it did, it’s kinda cool actually.☺️
Good Romance will always have readers!
I’m with you, friend. I think books of all stripes should have an audience appropriate for whatever their appeal is, as long as it’s not inappropriate for that audience (such as books about sex pushed on children!).
It’s a crying shame what is happening to men in our culture. The Bible says in the end a woman will encompass a man, and, imo, this is all part of the end times, calling good evil and evil good. All part and parcel. Men don’t deserve this.
Men and women are both good, not evil. I celebrate the differences between them. I don’t need any Tampon Tim men! Yuck!
Thankfully, God is apparently going to mete out a little justice before the end gets here. Love seeing that.
Thank you Ruthann!!
Spoken in frustration, I believe, and may be more aimed at BookTok itself - but to hear our beloved genres demeaned due to some bad apples is still hard. The BookTok community is definitely a mixed bag, some good some bad.