A Reader in Pakistan Bought My Lesbian Romance Book
Or why self-publishing rocks — especially for queers
I’ve been writing and publishing for a long time. I remember SASEs, rejections that took forever, checks that took even longer, and paper cuts being an occupational hazard. In 2014, I joined the self-publishing revolution, but it’s not just about getting out to readers without editorial interference my lesbian romance story with explicit sex between two 65-year-old women faced with the challenge of vaginal dryness (Right Time for Love by my pen name Elizabeth Andre).
I love getting my books out to the world, especially those parts where people like me are less than welcome or even illegal. My paperbacks (print on demand) go to many countries. My ebooks get even wider distribution, reaching those for whom mail is unreliable and brick and mortar bookstores are non-existant or unable (legally) or unwilling to carry books about queers.
Pakistan
For example, last month I sold a copy of Love’s Perfect Vintage, an interracial lesbian erotic romance set in a Chicago suburb, to someone in Pakistan, a country where people like me are illegal and fear incredible violence and death.
Russian Federation
I sold a copy of Lesbian Light Reads Volumes 1–6, a collection of some of my lesbian erotic romances, to someone in the Russian Federation, a country that prohibits “propaganda of non-traditional relationships to minors.” This law led to Madonna being fined $1 million, although she didn’t pay up. More importantly, homophobic violence is rising, and there is discussion of laws to remove children from parents in same-sex relationships.
Ethiopia
I also sold a copy of this book in Ethiopia, a country where I am illegal and homosexuality is viewed as a “Western perversion.” A total of 97% of Ethiopians believe that homosexuality is a way of life that society should not accept, although I’m sure the remaining 3% are much more fun to be around.
Malaysia
I sold a copy of Keeping Score, a gay male erotic romance by my other pen name Kendall Morgan, in Malaysia. Last year that country’s highest court declared that a state law banning consensual same-sex conduct was unconstitutional but left intact a federal statute criminalizing same-sex relations. All of the sex acts described in my story are punishable with up to 20 years in prison and mandatory whipping.
Who are my readers?
I sometimes think of the people in these countries who buy my books. Are they American expats looking for an escape from the local culture? Are they queer locals taking a look at other possibilities or straight locals seeing what “Western perversion” is like?
I do hope I’m not getting anyone into trouble, although that is completely out of my control. I publish on Amazon, Smashwords, Kobo, and several other platforms, but I can’t control who buys what. I do hope these readers get some joy out of my stories, no matter who they are.
This essay includes Amazon affiliate links. If you click on them, I may earn a few pennies. Thanks! Every bit helps.
