Looking for authors aspiring for traditional publication!

[JBCrowson]

You don't have to WRITE a subgenre to offer feedback on pacing and wording and stuff like that. I'm here for all the sword clattering and dragon questing and orc smashing, I just also write people with the same gender smooching while I'm at it. If you're cool with sometimes hearing about it, I'd also be happy to write with you!

I'm very relaxed about who does what to whom with their 'bits' both RW and in my reading / writing. There are characters in my book who are intimate with same gender, same gender, different races. I've never felt the need to make the gender the focus of a scene or be what makes a character unique. Romance happens too, but is also never intentionally the theme or focus - if the MC never fancied anyone and never met anyone who did either, it would be just weird (to me). Some people like to write stuff where the gender identity is the focus, which is all good as there are people who like to read that stuff (it would also be fine if no one ever read it).

 

[ixris]

I'm very relaxed about who does what to whom with their 'bits' both RW and in my reading / writing. There are characters in my book who are intimate with same gender, same gender, different races. I've never felt the need to make the gender the focus of a scene or be what makes a character unique. Romance happens too, but is also never intentionally the theme or focus - if the MC never fancied anyone and never met anyone who did either, it would be just weird (to me). Some people like to write stuff where the gender identity is the focus, which is all good as there are people who like to read that stuff (it would also be fine if no one ever read it).

Yeah, lemme tell you I didn't MEAN to make this story heavy on the gender and romance. When I started my zero, I thought I was writing a 12th century noir with ghosts! Whoops my hand slipped.

 

[Fidel]

So tell us please, what do you mean by traditional publication?

Oh, great question! When people talk about "traditional publication," they usually mean the classic route of getting a book published through an established publishing house. Here’s how it typically works:

1. Writing the Manuscript: You write your book (obviously!).
2. Querying Agents: You pitch your book to literary agents by sending query letters. If an agent likes your work, they’ll sign you and help refine your manuscript.
3. Submission to Publishers: Your agent submits your manuscript to editors at publishing houses.
4. Book Deal: If a publisher likes your book, they’ll offer you a contract. This usually includes an advance (money upfront) and royalties (a percentage of sales).
5. Editing and Production: The publisher handles editing, cover design, formatting, and distribution.
6. Marketing and Release: The publisher promotes your book and gets it into bookstores, online retailers, etc.

The big perks of traditional publishing are the professional support (editors, designers, marketers) and the prestige of being backed by a well-known publisher. The downside? It can be a *long* process (we’re talking years), and it’s super competitive—getting an agent and a book deal isn’t easy.