Some authors are afraid that if their fiction doesn't adhere to woke sensibilities, which in my mind is an oxymoron, it won't be published by a reputable publisher. While there is some truth to this, it's not entirely the case. https://www.youtube.com/live/k-W8ERhLCKc?feature=share
I once had a book rejected and was told they weren't interested in male protagonists... (meaning, straight-cis-whatever while male) so, as I look through all the new/debut releases (especially in the SFF sphere) I can see why a lot of authors are self-censoring or inserting token characters to get an agent's attention. This doesn't seem to be an issue with established authors, just the ones trying to get their foot in the door. I've just come to the conclusion that indie publishing is the correct path for my work because I'm not gender-swapping or whatever to make it palatable for "modern readers."
Yah, I can't name names but I'm told some established authors have gone woke and alienated some of their audience. The stuff I read if far from woke so t really doesn't effect me. As for my fiction, I don't really have a problem getting anything published traditionally, depending on the house. After 9 books with T&M someone called my books misogynistic. Suddenly I'm done there. But I agree, indy is the way to go. That's why I started Bear media...
Even if your work checks off every box but maybe it blends genre too much or has experimental voice or whatever.... Indie is just the way to go for creative freedom. I had to turn down a publishing offer because I'd have to change the narrative voice, so I said screw it I can DIY. If I get a rejection because my work sucks, that's one thing, but if it's good enough to get an offer buuuut.... then, no.
Oh I so agree. Like the book I just put out, The Woman with Two Faces....No publisher would touch that in a million years. Maybe I could get it in a mystery Magazine that would pub it next year but I don't want to wait that long.
I once had a book rejected and was told they weren't interested in male protagonists... (meaning, straight-cis-whatever while male) so, as I look through all the new/debut releases (especially in the SFF sphere) I can see why a lot of authors are self-censoring or inserting token characters to get an agent's attention. This doesn't seem to be an issue with established authors, just the ones trying to get their foot in the door. I've just come to the conclusion that indie publishing is the correct path for my work because I'm not gender-swapping or whatever to make it palatable for "modern readers."
Yah, I can't name names but I'm told some established authors have gone woke and alienated some of their audience. The stuff I read if far from woke so t really doesn't effect me. As for my fiction, I don't really have a problem getting anything published traditionally, depending on the house. After 9 books with T&M someone called my books misogynistic. Suddenly I'm done there. But I agree, indy is the way to go. That's why I started Bear media...
Even if your work checks off every box but maybe it blends genre too much or has experimental voice or whatever.... Indie is just the way to go for creative freedom. I had to turn down a publishing offer because I'd have to change the narrative voice, so I said screw it I can DIY. If I get a rejection because my work sucks, that's one thing, but if it's good enough to get an offer buuuut.... then, no.
Oh I so agree. Like the book I just put out, The Woman with Two Faces....No publisher would touch that in a million years. Maybe I could get it in a mystery Magazine that would pub it next year but I don't want to wait that long.