When it comes to lesbian fiction, we’re so luck to live in a time of plenty. We can find lesbian characters in fantasy, crime, romance, young adult, literary fiction… pretty much every genre going. And we can buy these books from stores, order them online, borrow them from libraries, read them on our Kindle or phone, even listen to the audio version. Though more opportunities are opening up within traditional publishing, many authors choose to remain indie. And they produce some of the most exciting, innovative lesfic going.
Why Indie LesFic Matters
Without indie publishing, many of our most beloved lesbian books simply wouldn’t exist. No Read Between the Lines. No The Headmistress. No Poppy Jenkins. Publishing is an industry. And the big publishing houses are driven by what (they assume) sells. As only an estimated 3.5% of adults in the USA are lesbian or bisexual, traditional publishing doesn’t see us as a viable market.
Whereas straight stories are assumed to hold universal appeal, lesbian stories are still seen as niche. Though lesbian books no longer face censorship, and the stigma attached to them is fading, they still only represent a tiny minority of the books published.
Small presses like Ylva and Bold Strokes have done wonders for the availability of lesbian books. So have indie authors, who are the unsung heroes of the lesfic world. Year after year, indie authors publish quality books where lesbians find love, solve crimes, ride dragons, and live full lives. And these writers have changed the face of fiction.
Representation
LesFic is dear to my heart. But it’s not perfect. Butches, older lesbians, lesbians of color, and disabled lesbians are all underrepresented on the page. Whereas stories about conventionally attractive femme white women falling in love saturate the market. The most visible lesbian stories, published by traditional houses and small presses, tend only to show a tiny sliver of lesbian experience. But indie LesFic goes some way towards redressing this imbalance.
For example, Clare Ashton’s characters experience social issues many lesbian readers are familiar with. In That Certain Something, working class Pia and wealthy Cate clash over how they view money. With Finding Jessica Lambert, she shows how love can reach across racial and generational differences. These themes give Ashton’s work texture. They add meaning that resonates with her loyal readership.
Thanks to indie books, more lesbian readers see themselves reflected in stories than ever before.
Freedom
Traditional publishing is often married to traditional genres, whereas indie authors are free to write crossovers as often as they like. This leads to some really original storytelling. Similarly, unless you’re J.K. Rowling or Sarah J. Maas, it can be pretty difficult to convince a publisher to run with a series. But indie authors have total control over what they publish, and when. Which means they can invest time and energy in building a series.
Clare Lydon’s London Calling books are a fan favorite. Though each instalment follows a different couple, they all take place in the same community. All eight books are tied together with stunning plot twists and sharp banter. And Lydon’s readers enjoy returning to the same world, revisiting favourite characters, as evidenced by her success.
The series plays a vital role in the LesFic ecosystem. While they might not always be the highest earner in an author’s catalogue, these books do find a place deep within fan’s hearts and allow authors to build a solid following.
Collaborations
In the world of traditional publishing, co-authored books are usually non-fiction. But indie authors can team up whenever they choose. This works as a business decision, leading the existing fanbase of each author to their collaborator. And it also leads to some of the most exciting LesFic going.
T.B. Markinson is the queen of collabs. She’s co-written several novels with other indie legends such as Clare Lydon, Harper Bliss, and Miranda MacLeod. Her latest novel with MacLeod – The AM Show – is top tier LesFic. Whether she writes alone or with a partner, Markinson’s work is smart, funny, and sexy.
When asked about what draws her to collabs, Markinson had this to say:
“Writing can be a lonely and intimidating profession. I combat both by seeking collaborations with fellow authors. Whether it’s two of us drafting a single book or several authors writing stories in a shared universe, joining forces allows ideas to flow more freely. The result, at least in my experience, has been mesmerizing stories that push beyond the boundaries of what I might have accomplished on my own.”
