Sandy Kay > Status Update

it's been all over bookstagram and i've genuinely been like "huuuhhh?" every time i see a post about it.
who started this and why? 😐
one of the strangest "controversies" i've heard recently.

˗ˏˋ ꒰ cait ꒱ ˎˊ˗ wrote: "it's been all over bookstagram and i've genuinely been like "huuuhhh?" every time i see a post about it.
who started this and why? 😐
one of the strangest "controversies" i've heard recently."

Yeah, like, what is the controversy? The more authors the better! Just bc I don't want to read something doesn't mean someone else won't love it. The more the merrier!!! (Er...apart from AI. Those "authors" can fuck right off)

My (possibly unpopular) take is that while every author is welcome, some are going to be popular bestsellers and others are going to struggle. Arguing that you deserve more recognition and sales than women authors because you're a man just isn't a successful argument to me. Write what readers want to read and/or good books, and your gender shouldn't matter.

A lot of men who are criticizing the state of the industry have valid points, but they also tend to make those valid points while excluding trans authors.... so it's not a side I find compelling or one I want to support.

Elizabeth wrote: "My (possibly unpopular) take is that while every author is welcome, some are going to be popular bestsellers and others are going to struggle. Arguing that you deserve more recognition and sales th..."

As you say. That is common sense. Popularity depends on an audience finding an author's work, and that depends on who is attracted by what content (and honestly sometimes seems like luck). Whether I like something depends on the content and the type of read a story delivers. Not on who wrote it, much as I have gravitated to favorite writers over the years.

Excluding anyone based on gender seems self-defeating and a nonsensical argument! Not sure argument is the right word. Just. No.

Yess, i agree honestly, authors deserve the recognition based on their work and not their gender.

I’ve seen a lot about how women are “visitors” in the queer space for men but I also think it’s important to acknowledge that this might be one of the rare times, if not the only, where women can see examples of men be emotionally vulnerable, communicate, where they learn to love and be loved freely away from ‘traditional’ gender roles.

Of course, the goal is not to suppress queer voices or objectify them but I can see where they’re coming from.

bunny wrote: "Yess, i agree honestly, authors deserve the recognition based on their work and not their gender.

I’ve seen a lot about how women are “visitors” in the queer space for men but I also think it’s i..."

Exactly! 🩷🩷 And the expectation is that romance delivers on the fantasy of finding your Person...that's nearly universal, and is about everyone, every pairing (or poly), not for only one kind of person, so to speak (I'm saying it weirdly, but, trying to clarify what I mean!). With self publishing, it feels like everyone can write (and read) what they love? I hope so. We all choose to try the books that interest us.

I don't even know what this is about really, but I hate gatekeeping in queer spaces. If someone behaves badly, toss them out, otherwise, why are we asking people to explain or justify their existence? Why are we asking people to out themselves as something else than straight and cis to be able to enjoy something queer?

I do believe giving better opportunities to minorities and having discussions about things like if something crosses the limit to fetishising, but I will never ever ask someone to tell me their gender or sexuality to gain any kind of access or respect from me. People have the right to explore all kinds of things without needing a label.

I never knew the authors I read when I was a kid, no idea about their personal details at all. These days I don't really know much more, just keeping my eyes open if I notice anyone using their money or platform for something heinous, and then I'll boycott.

Kassu wrote: "I don't even know what this is about really, but I hate gatekeeping in queer spaces. If someone behaves badly, toss them out, otherwise, why are we asking people to explain or justify their existen..."

Right? All of that!

We never knew much about the people behind the stories. Social media has made some weird changes to...everything. I hope people can just...enjoy reading what they enjoy, and agree, we'll stay away from heinous intentions and AI! 🩷💙🩷