Oh, Good Lord…
There’s an author whose book is one among several currently nominated for the Lambdas’ YA/Children’s Fiction award. Now I’d normally cheer a fellow author on except that this particular author not only takes herself way too seriously, but she’s incredibly (and publicly) judgmental toward fellow nominees. How does she stack herself up against another nominated writer, whose book she just read? Why, she refers to the bar being set too low in her category, implying that her fellow nominee wrote crap fiction that hers can easily trounce.
Whoa, doggie, back up. Let me tell you something, Miss First Time Author Who Made It To the Big Leagues.
My books will never be in the Lambdas despite the fact that they’re GLBT. Know why? Because I’m straight.
My books will never be picked up for reviews by most YA review blogs that review GLBT fiction. Know why? Because (a) I’m published by a small, unknown press, and (b) I don’t write contemporary realistic fiction (or “edgy” fiction that’s the darling of a lot of YA reviewers nowadays).
My books will never be recommended by other GLBT YA authors, especially those published by larger mainstream presses. Know why? Because I’m an unknown who writes for an unknown press, specializing in an unpopular genre. I’ll never be in their radar. EVER.
If I ever see my books nominated for anything, I’ll most likely wonder if it was an error, considering my marketing experiences involving my publisher, my genre, or, yes, my sexual orientation. If it’s not an error? My mind will be blown. How many chances for exposure can someone like me enjoy, after all?
Honey, if there’s a golden rule in publishing that you really need to keep in mind, it’s to be modest about your success. You might not know it, but the GLBT YA world doesn’t revolve around your magnum opus, and, trust me, not everyone’s as lucky as you in reaching the point where you now find yourself. Besides, if you think that X’s book is a load of crap, chances are, another reader — perhaps even one of the judges — thinks of your book no differently. Have yourself a slice of humble pie now because if the short list gets posted and you don’t find yourself there,* you need to be emotionally ready to cope.
* Especially since the YA/Children’s Fiction category is a hodgepodge of books ranging from picture books to middle grade fiction to YA. What does that mean, exactly? THAT THERE’S AN INSANELY LONG NOMINEE LIST.
