Today Laura Baumbach, author and publisher of ManLoveRomance Press, is on the site. We’re very privileged to have Laura with us because as you can imagine she has an incredibly tight schedule. I know that authors AND readers will be interested in what Laura has to say about the direction of this sub genre.
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Some people might think that writing and publishing what is considered a small niche market a doubtful move in today’s economy. I disagree. I’ve been writing gay
erotic romance for five years. My first print book, A Bit of Rough, was published in 2005. It was so popular, the distributors asked my publisher for more titles from me and a career was born.
My second book, Out There In The Night, followed the next year and I haven’t stopped writing since. My work is steamy, explicit love stories between two complex, unique and different men. Simple, everyday stories.
And I have a simple philosophy about my writing. I write what I want to read and I hope there are people out there who like what I like. So far it’s been a successful ground rule.
And what makes it such a success is that the audience who reads my work is not just the small niche market of gay men. My fan mail over the last five years shows that my readership is almost equally divided between straight women and gay men. No one will argue that straight women are not a small niche market. Not even when you reduce them down to the percentage who find they like to read about men in love. Romance is the second largest genre of books purchased in the USA.
Every day our society is becoming more and more integrated. It’s been a battle for equality but there are definite signs that GLBT culture is becoming a part of the mainstream culture. Yesterday the largest GLBT publisher Windows Media filed for bankruptcy. A decided increase in mainstream media covering GLBT events was cited as one of the contributing factors to the company’s financial instability. I’m not saying this is entirely a good thing, a voice for GLBT issues and accomplishment needs to be present, IMO, but it does illustrate a point. The lines between our differences are blurring so society is truly beginning to see people as PEOPLE, not straight or gay or lesbian. The differences aren’t mattering as much anymore. Our younger generation is seeing past those walls. I think this is a welcome change.
Just this year for the first time even some literary awards programs like the EPPIES have removed the GBLT category from their judging, making all stories equal
and able to compete on a level field of talent. RWA accepted a new chapter that as founder, I’m very proud of — Rainbow Romance Writers, a chapter devoted to furthering this genre of romance. It’s a big step forward for a very traditional organization with an eye toward more acceptance already being seen on the horizon.
Writing gay erotic romance is like any other type of fiction writing. You have to love it, be drawn to it, and understand it to write it well. Then once you have the itch, you have to have the right tools–writing skill and storytelling talent– to pull it off. Just like any other author.
So, is it career smart to write gay erotic romance? For me it’s a calling. I’ve just recently quit my day job as a RN to write and publish fulltime. My press, MLR Press, LLC is growing more than I ever imagined. We’re receiving coverage in the mainstream publication PW and this December will have a commerical on OUTtv in Canada, a cable station. Our mystery Death Vows by Richard Stevenson was named one of the best mysteries of 2009 by National Public Radio, a decidedly mainstream venue. We’re prospering and it is our readership that is making it happen. I can’t see myself doing anything else. It’s working for me.
Congratulations on your success Laura. I do think things are becoming more integrated but of course there is still a ways to go. A friend of mine noted on his blog today that 117 transgender or gender-variant people were killed this year. That’s in the US.
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I think writing what you love to read is a wise choice, works for me. 🙂 Continued luck with your own writing and with MLR Press.
As an MLR Press author, I can attest to Laura’s unflagging dedication to the genre and her tireless efforts to support it. I am very proud to be associated with her.
I defer to no one in my admiration for Laura and for what she does for all of us. The lady is a class act and it is an honor to be associated with her. She makes us all give a little bit more of ourselves.
Thanks for your leadership, Laura.
Victor
Congrats re the fast growing of MLR Press!
Things are moving fast, indeed. 3 or 4 years ago, I wouldn’t have dreamt of having friends to talk to about reading m/m romance.
I can’t tell you what a joy it’s been to be at MLR Press. Laura runs a very professional pub and the atmosphere she fosters for her authors is awesome. I felt welcomed and appreciated there from day one. I think she’s only going to attract more and more authors because of the great job she and her staff do at MLR.
Excellent interview, and this is such a good approach: “And I have a simple philosophy about my writing. I write what I want to read and I hope there are people out there who like what I like. So far it’s been a successful ground rule.”
I’ve been in this business for a very long time but have never come across anyone quite like Laura who is not only a friend but a die-hard advocate for GBLT literature; she’s continually out there, in the forefront, clawing and scratching to get m/m books the acceptance by the mainstream that they deserve. The gal is a powerhouse and someone much appreciated by those of us who usually prefer to stay off in the background and just do our thing. That she and her publishing house, MLR Press, have dared to publish books like my and Wayne Gunn’s controversial ARDENNIAN BOY, as well as Wayne’s edited definitive reference book on early gay pulp works, THE GOLDEN AGE OF GAY FICTION, says more about this exceptional gal’s determination and daring-do than anything. Luv her!
Wonderful post, Laura. I’ve enjoyed reading your books, my favorite being A Bit of Rough. Congratulations on the continuing success of MLR.
I read A Bit of Rough when I worked for Barnes and Noble in San Diego – I was mesmerized by the story and the strength of the characters so vividly depicted. Laura truly is an inspiration, unceasingly creative and I consider myself really fortunate to be a part of her writing team. I hope that doesn’t sound too ass-kissy! If it does – tough, ’cause I mean it.
In art your love of the subject and passion shows, you Laura, are a true artist. You remain one of my favorite authors and I eagerly await your book releases. A Bit of Rough was the first ebook I ever read way back in 2005. It opened my eyes to a whole new world of electronic books and finally a place to find a larger selection m/m books. For that reason I have a special fondness for you and your work. Thanks!
As a man writing a tiny sub-genre of the m/m genre, finding a publisher like MLR Press was a godsend. Laura wants us to tell a good story, period. That gives the authors much freedom to create, and readers who purchase MLR Press books are the benefactors.
Fascinating interview – thanks!
A Bit of Rough was the first book of this genre that I owned. A mere novice with no clue of what an ebook was, once I knew of it’s existence I had no idea how to get a copy and became obsessed with doing so. I finally went to Barnes and Noble and ordered it, followed by a lot of explaining.
I drove them crazy at the store until the book arrived. It was promptly devoured. I can’t believe that it only came out in 2005! Four short years, and roughly 400 m/m books later, here I am.
Laura, thank you. My own first full length novel comes out in January of 2010. If not for you, Abraham, and James, it never would have happened.
I loved “A Bit of Rough” and the sequel. *grins* I read and reread them on a regular basis.
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I agree with Tam (and you, Laura) that writing what you love to read is the most important thing.
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For me, Gordon Merrick was my first exposure to ‘gay’ fiction and romance (in its way). He’s been a hero of mine since I was 13. It’s kind of fascinating to wonder what he would think of the gay fiction sweeling (pun intended) that he helped to start.
~Tis
Awesome to see you here, Laura. I love the work you do. You’re an inspiration.