SIGNAL BOOST: SAY YES TO GAY YA

[keldaryth]

Originally posted by darkspirited1 at SIGNAL BOOST: SAY YES TO GAY YA
This comes from an article by rachelmanija entitled, Say Yes to Gay YA.
(click the link for the full article)

Our novel Stranger has five viewpoint characters; one, Yuki Nakamura, is
gay and has a boyfriend. Yuki's romance, like the heterosexual ones in
the novel, involves nothing more explicit than kissing.

Comments

[keldaryth]

I'd probably be less inclined to consider it a publicity stunt and more likely to consider it a writer preferring not to edit work. However, having just participated in a panel on YA queer fiction (or more specifically the lack of it), I would greatly prefer promoting the inclusion of queer characters and specifically queer main characters in fiction across the board, and definitely in YA fiction. This post already states that it is not directed at any particular agent, which I took as important. It does certainly appear to have been miscommunication between agents and authors, but I still think it's a point worth raising.

However, I would tend to agree that five viewpoint characters are too much, and I do tend to dislike 'viewpoint' characters to begin with as it typically means first person writing, but that's me being picky. Rewrites are important--I wish they weren't, but they are.

I don't know where I'm going with this, but thanks for the link. There's a lot out there I may have to bookmark for later :)

[keldaryth]

I'd also suggest looking at this one: http://cleolinda.livejournal.com/993710.html#cutid1

[rachelmanija]

Thank you for your support!

To continue to support YA fiction with LGBTQ characters, I have proposed creating Permanent Floating YA Diversity Book Clubs. If you wish to participate, the link will explain how to begin one, join one, or simply pass on the word.