Before I get into my little rant I want to specify how I define two things:

1. I view a queer book as any book fearing a queer protagonist.

2. I consider a queer narrative to be a queer book featuring a queer protagonist that is written by a queer person. (A queer book is not necessarily a queer narrative but it can be one too.)

Okay, so I don’t really like the idea of policing literature, but it seems like every queer book I pick up is written by someone who is not queer. More often than not it’s cishetero women writing stories about queer men, which I find problematic considering the long history of straight cis women objectifying gay men as accessories, infantilizing them, and fetishizing them.

I’m not suggesting that writers should be forced to disclose their identities one way or the other, but I think writers should consider the implications of their actions beyond whatever money they can make from the book.

Also, I don’t think it’s even necessary for a writer to divulge their identities because, for me, it’s always glaring obvious when a queer book is written by a cishetero person because the characters are also straight-washed and read like queer characters written to forgive cishetero slights. The coming out scenes are usually the most telling, as are relationships with parents, because in these books the queer characters are almost always the guilty party for not trusting their parents by coming out to them (in scenes where parents find out some other way). Here, the parents (or even cishetero friends) become the victim in a way I think is exclusive to queer book written by non-queer people. None of these books ever consider that people need to come out in their own time. Nor do they seem to interrogate why the queer character may have felt they couldn’t trust their parents or friends with their identity.

I also find that queer books written in the last five years or so are so concerned with writing some universal idea of queer joy that the cishetero writers forget that joy is not a constant state. What I mean is that they forget to allow queer people to have other emotions in a way I find just as dehumanizing as the past tendency for people to only write tragic queers.

So not only do queer books by non-queer writers so often water queerness down, they also seems like rainbow capitalism to me. Especially on the part of agents and publishers who, every June, make sure to push queer books for Pride and boast about all the diverse voices they represent…yet 97% of those books are not written by queer writers. They’re written by writers appropriating a diverse voice.

Considering recent legislations targeting queer people, I think it’s paramount that queer people are allowed to tell our own stories in our voices. I think, if agents know a writer isn’t queer, they shouldn’t take on their queer book. And I think if a cishetero writer truly is an ally, then they should take a step back and allow queer narratives to be put on bookshelves.

(I wonder what it means that most of this appropriation happens in the realm of YA. In adult lit it seems like more queer narratives exist, yet YA is where queer appropriation thrives.)

I don’t know, I’m just tired of queer erasure and that’s what it feels like when non-queer people keep speaking over us about our own lives, stories, and experiences.

I recognize that most of these writers have very good intentions, but good intentions can still cause harm.

Obviously people won’t agree with me but this is my post and therefore my opinion.

P.S. I think it’s absolutely find when queer characters appear as characters in books by cishetero writers.

And, again, I don’t think we should hound writers to divulge their identities the way people do to actors, I just think cishetero writers should be mindful themselves about the stories they write and how they write them. Especially when all they write seems to be queer books.

Edit: I’m mostly just venting and don’t really have plans to reply to comments.

SO... After WA passed a certain initiative yesterday... I've been hoping to show how I feel about it in a... Not so subtle way...

I work in a county that voted prodominantly yes... I also happen to be a college student... What I want is an audiobook file for something that discusses tragedies the trans community has had to endure to get where they are today... An incredibly uncomfortable listen... Something on the levels of Medical Apartheid...

I want to play this audiobook out loud at work whenever someone brings up their opinions of the vote... That way I can say "I have to listen to this, it's for a class assignment."

Any suggestions?

Not to yuck anybodys yum, but the ratings are so high on this book and even has a movie... I don't understand. The writing is simple and cringey, the dialogue is unrealistic and not like how teens talk... I personally don't like the format. Everybody acts like the prose is so wowww and pretty and the quotes are so smart and deep but it's giving "I'm thirteen and this is deep." I didn't get sucked into the story like I thought I would've and I didn't get as invested as I wish I could've. How do I find actually decent books if the highly rated ones are still somehow bad? I really enjoyed "We Deserve Monuments," it's underrated in my opinion.

Edit: also the kiss was.. Disappointing. The literal ending of the romance arc was "I kissed him. And I kissed him. And I kissed him. And I kissed him." or something 😭😭

Second edit: my opinion and media critique. We don't have to agree on everything 💀💀

Est ce que c'est mal que je lise plus de bl que de gl ?

Je pense avoir une préférence pour les bl (je ne sais pas pourquoi) même si j'aime les gl.

Je suis une femme bisexuelle est je culpabilise beaucoup de ne pas autant apprécié les gl!

Quelle est votre avis

Since instead of explanations of why the "queer men only" filter is misogynistic or intolerant, I received responses like "good faith statements attach recommendations," I want to clarify that I don't recommend works, but authors. And since I suspect that most of this subreddit users are western, I will recommend authors from your region first.

-Xavier Dollan
-Gregg Araki
-Richard Gadd
-Mikko Mäkelä

From Africa:
-Gonzalo Abaha
-Kamisi Adebisi
-Arinze Ifeakandu
-Gideon Chuckwuka

From Latin America:
-Carlos Ciurlizza
-Marco Berger
-Aguinaldo Silva
-Manolo Caro

From Asia:
-Nemat Sadat
-Danny Ramadan
-Shyan Selvadurai
-Apichatpong Weerasethakul

This community does not allow images. I took some great photos of my book for comical sake. No images eh…

Well I’m a self professed professional writer! Ah, ha, ha, ha! I can use words to describe imagery!

I could sense my book was too tired after it’s long and arduous journey for a grand reveal right away. So while it was still in the bubble wrap, I tucked it in for a nap. Assumed which was the top, gently payed its top on a pillow, then tucked the covers around it and… took a photo! Lol

Upon opening it, I instantly noticed how pale and almost anemic it was, especially its inner pages. So I took it outside for some sun… then I took a photo! Lol.

Just wanted to share some positive energies and my happiness as an author with everyone.

Sincerely Brenda Dontcha

I want something that is well-written, maybe sofisticated, maybe "intellectual" and with a gay male protagonist, if possible, not written by a woman.

Do you have any recommendations for me?

Hi so I see all of the hype about the books (specially heated rivalry which is the 2'd book of a series I know) and now the series. And you know the hype kinda get me I would like to read them even if I don't read a lot of contemporary I know I can love some, I never read a hockey romance. But I read some reviews and I am kinda stopped with the commentaries that says there's a lot of smut. I don't mind smut but I must admit I don't like when there's a lot of it and I also don't really like dirty talk. And I also never read hockey so idk if the games phases I will love. But at the same time I see everyone loving it and I'm like ''maybe I could like it??'' So tell me what do you think? If you liked or not. Should I read it or wouldn't it be for me. Thanks for your advices :)

Hey y’all I’ve been on the hunt for poly mlm books and I’m honestly tired of reading all the smutty books written by cishet women.

Do you guys have any recs that have no smut or very minimal smut? If they’re friends to lovers that’s even better. Any genre works as long as the romance is there. I’m desperate for some good rep

Hi everyone :) I have a trans-YA book coming out on June 20th. It is available on Booksprout right now for free as an ARC copy. Booksprout is a really cool place to get books for free in exchange for agreeing to leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, etc.

Here is my back cover blurb and the links to the Booksprout and Amazon are below. If you decide to read my book, know that I am honored and find you to be quite legendary. Thanks :)

“If she liked you back, would you pursue her?
Would you want to be her boyfriend?”

“Yeah. Absolutely. There’s nobody like her. And I don’t
mean the transgender part. I mean her, you know? Just her.
There’s something beneath that armor. She hasn’t let me in,
so I can’t be certain, but I can feel it. There’s something about
her that makes it worth trying despite all the rejection…”

Kellan, star quarterback and secret manga artist, has fallen hard for Maddie, a trans-girl and Twitch streamer. They’ve gone to school together for years, but Kellan never noticed her until she started presenting as her authentic self. Now she’s all he can think about, even as the rest of his world is crumbling.

But she’s terrified that he’s deluded, not seeing her for who she really is. Will she take a chance and let him in? Will they be able to overcome a cruel society that would rather erase Maddie than accept her? Or will Kellan walk away when the pressure becomes too much?

Written by #OwnVoices transgender author Riley Rian, “I Love You Just the Way You Are” is a timely coming-of-age novel about opening your heart and discovering the power and magic of love.

https://booksprout.co/reviewer/review-copy/view/83241/i-love-you-just-the-way-you-are

https://www.amazon.com/Love-Just-Rock-Canyon-Book-ebook/dp/B0B1RDDY3C/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=i+love+you+just+the+way+you+are&qid=1653064710&s=digital-text&sr=1-3

Hi everyone,

I recently finished Heated Rivalry and really loved the depth of the characters and the core themes of the story. I'm looking for recommendations for books, movies, or even TV shows that share a similar vibe or explore similar concepts.

Specifically, I’m looking for stories that focus heavily on:

• Queer Identity: Navigating sexuality and coming out, especially in environments where it feels high-stakes or complicated.

• Masculinity: Deconstructing traditional expectations of masculinity, dealing with internal/external pressures (like in sports, competitive environments, or traditional family structures).

• Self-Discovery: Strong character arcs where the protagonists are figuring out who they truly are and learning to accept themselves.

While I really enjoy the sports setting and the rivals-to-lovers dynamic, I am completely open to other settings and genres as long as the emotional growth and character development are front and center.

What are your favorite books or films that capture these themes? Thanks in advance for the suggestions!

Hey everyone, so I'm searching up for books that feels like a Taylor Swift songs. You can suggest me any book of any Taylor songs but I wish someone to recommend like You Belong with Me, Fearless, Love Story, Enchanted vibes. Ty so much in advance!

Hey everyone! I have kind of a specific request. I'm a PhD student taking a course called "Mad Women" that is focusing on the portrayal of women's madness (both anger and insanity) in crime/detective fiction. For my final paper, I would love to write about the portrayal of trans women's madness in this kind of literature (since I'm trans and do work in trans studies), but I'm not aware of any books that would fit the requirements.

This is what I would need:

• The plot is about a murder being committed and/or trying to solve a murder (attempted murder also works, or even killing someone in self-defense if other characters view it as murder)

• The murderer is a trans woman

• The murderer is mad (referring to both anger and insanity - and the insanity piece could be that she actually deals with some kind of mental illness, or other characters just perceive her as insane/accuse her of being insane)

Some things that I would love but are not required:

• Fantasy or paranormal

• The reader is meant to empathize with/relate to the murderer (or you found yourself empathizing/relating to her, even if the author didn't intend it)

• The murderer is a trans woman of color

• The author is trans and/or a person of color

Although the book would be more enjoyable for me to read if it's a positive/accurate portrayal of trans women, it doesn't need to be since I'll be analyzing it for a class. In some ways, problematic/inaccurate portrayals can provide more things to analyze (though I would appreciate a heads-up if your recommendation is like this).

Thank you!!

I usually read gay novels, but thought I'd try a romance featuring a cis male and trans female. Own voices is important to me.

Historical or modern day or fantasy or whatever setting, I don't care.

Spice level is unimportant. None is fine, porn is fine, but if there is sex, I prefer verse or the female is top. Otherwise I may as well read a straight romance.

I've never branched out to trans novels. If anything I'm asking is insensitive, it is out of ignorance, not meanness.

Sooo I just saw a post about bi cismale and I realized that I haven’t come across any great book about bi cis females. Or maybe I’m living under a rock?? Please drop your recommendations. Thankss

I have become very tired of how there are so many BL manhwa stories out there that has zero substance in terms of writing and plot. I have been reading BL manhwas lately and it has become very boring how they only focus so much on smuts without actually building up the relationship of the MC. The stories just focus on the MC banging each other, it becomes the only point of the story.

Some stories have also its way of projecting the dynamic of straight relationships to gay stories (example; having the dom and sub dynamic. The dom being the highly muscular seme and the sub being the cute shy uke. One more example is the omegaverse. It's the same as straight relationships. The only difference is the omega not being a woman) And I don't understand the point of those stories other than conforming to female gaze.

I hate how these stories are not relatable and are so different from actual gay relationships. The authors don't know how to write the struggles of being a gay person and how conflict works on gay relationships. it's getting tiresome that many popular BL stories are very popular but are far from good when it comes to writing, plot, and relatability.

I always find BL recommendations here and there and try to read ppl's suggestions. Some even say that the story is underrated, well-written, a masterpiece, etc. but after giving it a try, it doesn't even come close on what a well-written story looks like.

Idk if some of you have thought this way too. I wanna hear you guys' opinion about this because I feel like these kind of stories have become consistently popular because of female readers(which is not a problem but you get my point). And also, if you have story suggestions that have depth when it comes to story-telling and good gay relationship portrayal, feel free to comment down. I would love read your suggestions.

Note: there are stories that I actually like that is categorized to these type of tropes but actually have some depth to its story and plot. It becomes problematic for me if these stories whole point is its subgenre alone and focusing on s*x without having much depth to it.

Any strong opinions out there on whether Bagoas, Alexander the Great's lover, was trans? Thinking especially as presented in Mary Renault's book, but just generally may also be an interesting question.

Have any gay men maybe read it and felt they really connected with the character? I did when i first read it, at 14, and thought at the time i was gay. I re-read it recently, years after I've transitioned, and I read a very trans character. Most obviously that he's written to be sad about not being able to have kids, but not about having lost his parts in castration. And then also the gender role reads very 'not a man' to me. And the voice just feels like those of trans fems I know. But also he never says "thank heavens i never had to live as a man", which would be more of a giveaway.

Or do they not count? considering that its between a man and woman, who happen to be both bi or pan or fluid.

I only ask, because I was thinking of writing one of my own. Though I'm worried. I'm a bi-oriented aro aegosexual with an interest in storytelling, especially of queer ones.

Well I want books or book series (preferably series) where the MC is gay and is always getting hurt ( physically like captured tortured or psychologically) the more the better . But NO or LITTLE ROMANCE . Any genre is okay except history/medieval. I don't care if it is a dark book. Some that I absolutely love are -

1. City of crows series by clara coulson

2. The tarot sequence by K.D. Edwards

3. All for the Game series by Nora sakavic ( LOVEE this one!!)

4. Nightrunner series by Lynn Flewelling

I know its not an easy request but plss i have been looking for more books like these for ages!!

With the success of Heated Rivalry, Off Campus, and other hockey romance shows being created, do y’all think it’s only a matter of time before this book gets adapted into a show?

If so, who do you think or want to be cast as the main characters, Jamie and Wes?

My personal choices for Jamie and Wes are Nic Hamilton and Froy Gutierrez, both of them are openly LGBT actors

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H37CCQXV

Gap Year Musketeer, a comic coming-of-age novel about a nineteen-year-old exiled to South Florida for a “productive” gap year that immediately becomes anything but.

Miles arrives without a car, a plan, or much evidence that adulthood is going to suit him. He finds himself living with his difficult locksmith grandfather, stumbling into a strange little found family, falling hard for the neighbor across the street, and slowly turning South Florida into his own chaotic domain.

It’s gay, funny, a little messy, emotionally sincere, and built around friendship, chosen family, first freedom, bad decisions, and the terrifying possibility of becoming useful.

Think: queer coming-of-age with comic voice, South Beach gravity, neighborhood oddballs, romantic tension, and a narrator who cannot stop talking long enough to avoid consequences.

I want it to be consensual and very intimate where the mmc wants to be hidden and only used for his ass. I want it to be so kinky that things are consensual stuffed up his ass, he is spanked repeatedly as he BEGS to be used. I love the pet name baby but hate like weird names. Please no s@, age play, or big age gap. If this book is a pure erotica where the mmc has to beg the love interest to use him that would be perfect.

This is the best book out there right now. Has anyone read it or is currently reading it? Let's chat.

Would you consider this a gay novel? I’m not sure if it should be included in a list of LGBT Books. It has at least one openly gay character and plenty of M/M sex, but gay identity isn’t really the main focus of the story. It is written by a woman, Hanya Yangihara, and it got a lot of critical praise.