Kuma2.net Blog

Publishing ABC’s

by Anondra “Kat” Williams, host of Sipping On Ink

At the end of one of my shows I was pondering if the world of writing and publishing had changed or is changing due to the growing popularity of Lesbian literature. I also wondered if a down economy affected niche writers. Since I know a few folks I figured why not just ask those doing it, it being writing and publishing.

Now imagine if you can a lunch with four very popular but diverse writers, imagine also that they are all lesbians and to make it even better they are black. Imagine a very nosey radio show host sitting in the middle and thinking this is just about perfect. I can imagine all of this and with the power of technology I’ve managed to achieve it long distance. Joining me at the table are S. Renee Bess, Cheril N. Clarke, Tawanna Sullivan and C.D. Kirven. I’m in the middle–nosey radio host Kat Williams.

If the names aren’t familiar then you haven’t been reading much in the last year or so, well at least nothing from the lesbian fiction aisle of your local bookstore or online site (if you haven’t figured it out by now, we didn’t all meet for lunch but thanks to the power of Ma Bell and speed typing of yours truly we did talk, well they talked and I typed). If you don’t know my name, well just shame on you.

KW– Ladies, thank you all for joining me for lunch and remember it’s going on my expense account courtesy of Lesbian411 so eat up! On my show I tend to just jump in with the question, so if you don’t mind around bites, we can do the same here.

KW– How long have you each been writing and publishing?

S. Renee Bess (RB)—I’ve been writing for seventeen years but writing for publishing slightly less. My retirement from teaching provided me with the time I felt mastering this art would need.

Tawanna Sullivan(TS)—I’ve been writing since the age of five but writing for submission sake only about five years.

Cheril N Clarke (CC)—Ten years with about eight years actually publishing.

C.D. Kirven(CK)—I started out young like Tawanna and have been writing since twelve and publishing articles and poetry since the age of sixteen or seventeen. I’ve also been publishing my writing for the last two years.

(KW) One of the reasons I chose to interview you all was due to the time frame of each writer and by time frame I mean life as well as experience in writing and publishing. Do you think there has been a change or even an ease in publishing lesbian literature?

TS—From the self publishing standpoint it’s wonderful, especially in regards to Kuma because it’s so much easier to get the word out. As technology has gotten better we don’t have to depend on the mainstream publisher to find us and it’s not even a goal to have it published by a mainstream publisher. If you have your marketing and PR game tight you can get a following, and of course you’re writing.

RB—The one thing I’ve noticed is lack of stigma attached to publishing lesbian literature as well as going the self publishing route. Most literary contests welcome self published books/writers.

CC—It’s certainly easier, with technology and acceptance of self publishing versus what it was a decade ago and it’s cheaper. You still need to hire an editor!

(KW) Speaking of that route, has self publishing contributed to more writers being out there?

CK—Yes, self publishing has almost flooded the market leaving it hard to spot the talent now. Also most of the stories are not true and just writers capitalizing on the hotness of the lesbian fiction genre.

CC—One of the good things about self publishing now is the print on demand capability and no need for storage anymore which cuts down considerably on costs. This has lead to quality that just isn’t as good with the writers needing to focus on editing instead of just “publishing”.

TS—I agree but don’t be upset if things aren’t as good or edited because good stuff will rise to the top.

(KW) Lots of negatives listed. Do you think self publishing has possibly hurt the industry?

RB- No it hasn’t hurt and it has helped those trying to get out there. There aren’t that many lesbian publishers and the ones here are struggling to keep afloat financially.

CK– No, it just opened up the field. E Lynn Harris, who was my mentor, started by selling out of the trunk of his car. The phrase “Down Low” is out there courtesy of him and what he took the risk to do which was open the door to diversity and that can never be a bad thing.

CC- It hasn’t hurt due to influx of new readers. New writers bring new backgrounds and stories to the forefront. Also the number of self publishing authors has driven down the price of books due to mass printing being cheaper.

(KW) Zane introduced the world to lesbian erotica in “Purple Panties”, was that a good thing for those writing erotica or for lesbian writers in general?

TS — It was a good thing in a celebration type way “hey look a mainstream publisher has picked up on lesbian erotica” when in the past we’ve been regulated to smaller presses or self publishing. It’s finally nice for people outside of our world to finally see us. It’s also good for lesbians who weren’t aware of lesbian erotica and might seek it out more but I’m doubtful of it producing any significant feedback/publishing for writers.

CC – Being totally honest, Zane’s name on it prevented me from reading it and fiction really isn’t my reading forte. In the spirit of letting folks know we are here it can’t be a bad thing.

RB — Anytime there is a pioneer who will open the market that’s a good thing. Zane isn’t the pioneer of publishing and putting forth African American lesbian erotica especially if you think of authors such as Fiona Zedde.

CK—It was an an intro along the lines of something different, which people eat up due to being tired of what’s out there. You know the white guy saves the world syndrome. Plus there are so many stories to be told. On the down side everyone always says the gay community is about sex and that was sort of a continuation of that thought process.

(KW) With this new competition from a mainstream publisher, how do these writers stay afloat and gain credibility within the lesbian community as many are self-published writers.

CC–Double the work and find creative ways to get in front of people. Advertising is so expensive so you have to utilize the internet to the best of your ability. Heck that’s hard due to a lot folks still not purchasing online. What you are trying to do is build your fan base so they anticipate your next arrival, so the first one is always hard to sell.

CK– You have to stay active in the community, and hit the Prides up. I paid for my own book tour.

RB–Do something to promote your work daily!

TS—I agree with Renee, unless you are independently wealthy you have to push your work, word of mouth always works well. Also get a job! Everyone isn’t going to be an E Lynn Harris.

KW–What is your perception of how lesbians have most recently been portrayed in the media?

CK—Obsessed…lol. It’s sad that masculine females are embraced within our community but masculine black woman will not be seen the front cover of such magazines like Curve or the Advocate. Add to that there are a very few masculine identified writers who write, let alone write erotica.

CC– Slowly but surely we are getting more and better exposure. The L Word is 50/50 depending on who you talking to on whether it hurt or help us.

RB– Aside from the L-Word I don’t pay attention to TV much anymore. You almost have to ask the question, why did we become popular? I think that trends in popular culture are linked to economy and what’s going on in politics. With the current economic downspin are we spiraling into something else?

KW– What’s the best advice anyone has ever given you about the publishing industry?

TS– Writing well will only get you so far. Being an unknown and writing well, even with a big publishing house behind you will only take you far. They will not invest a lot of money into your PR or marketing unless they already know u have a following or sales. Promotion is the key and you can’t be to introverted. You have to be able to say “hi buy my book”. Promote yourself in addition to writing well.

RB— I was told to try very hard not to take rejection personally. My advice would be to look for a publisher who’s willing to take a chance. My publishing house has males as well as other African American authors.

CK– E Lynn Harris said that there will always be a reason not to do it and there will never be a right time. Live in the here and now. Live and write your truth!

And on that note I think it’s time to cash out…lol Thank you ladies for having lunch with me and sharing some wisdom along the way.

S. Renee Bess– is a Philadelphia bred former high school teacher, who has been writing fiction, in one form or another, for many years. Her past works include “Re:Building Sasha”, “Breaking Jaie” and “Leave of Absence”.  Her latest novel is called “The Butterfly Moments”.  www.reneebess.com

Cheril N Clarke– is the author of five novels, Foundations: A Novel of New Beginnings (2001), Different Trees From the Same Root (2003), Intimate Chaos (2005), Tainted Destiny (2006), Losing Control (2009) and one play, Intimate Chaos. You can find what Cheril is up to next at www.cherilnclarke.com

Tawanna Sullivan– is one of the founders of Kuma, a website which encourages black lesbians to write and share erotica. Her work has appeared in “Longing, Lust, and Love: Black Lesbian Stories”, “Iridescence: Sensuous Shades of Lesbian Erotica”, “Purple Panties”, “Best Lesbian Erotica 2009”, “Swing! Adventures in Swinging by Today’s top Erotica Writers”, and “Spirited: Affirming the Soul and Black Gay/Lesbian Identity”.  She was recently featured in “Life, Love and Lust” by Lesbian Memoirs Tawanna lives in New Jersey with her civil union partner, Martina. You can find her daily at tpsulli.wordpress.com

C.D. Kirven–is an artist that writes books, makes films and creates artwork along with being an activist. “What Goes Around Comes Back Around” her debut novel. She is an activist within the GLBT community in Texas. Ms. Kirven’s previous work has been featured in the Dallas Post Tribune, Dallas Teen Age and many other media outlets. Her community activist efforts have been featured in the Dallas Voice. You can find her at cdkirven.blogspot.com

Kat Williams is a frustrated writer who celebrates those doing “more than” weekly via her podcast Sipping On Ink. She is featured in “Life, Love and Lust” and “Her Voice” by Lesbian Memoirs

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 5th, 2010 at 8:01 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.