As an author, how are you perceived?

Several things happened recently which made me reevaluate.

I had an email conversation with one of the staff of our local queer book store. In his last reply he encouraged me to submit manuscripts to certain publishers. But they were all Romance publishers.

My books are rarely in their store while self published friend’s novels often are. The relationship I’ve had with their staff has been odd in the past, although it’s getting better. But the recent email from their staffer clarified a feeling I’ve had for a while. They don’t see me as a serious writer.

I approached another independent store.

The shop owner was fine with me leaving two copies of a novel with her, but she warned me indie books hardly sell. She pointed to the shelf where they’d sit – a shelf with the words ‘Self Published Books’. While I imagined the cover of the novel standing out among the others, I didn’t want to be thought of as self published.

I’m in that in-between world of being traditionally published, just with a very small press. And while I know self published authors who are professional, I’ve read some who release underdeveloped unedited drafts. As I’m careful of that distinction I decided not to leave my books with her.

Someone on BlueSky presumed I was self published.

She had read my blog about being mistaken for a Romance writer and replied to me saying that I should update my covers, as they look romancy. I let her know these were done by my publisher and she apologised for her assumption.

Which is why I feel I’m going backward in how I’m perceived as a writer. Part of this is due to the changing times. Even more people are self publishing than before, and most are writing Romance. I seem to get swept up in those assumptions.

Very few of my friends are interested in my writing.

In conversations, some have thought I only had one book out, others ask me how to obtain them (they are generally available on most online book stores), and one asked me to help her download one of my audiobooks even though she regularly purchases from Apple Books.

I’m often overwhelmed by how my achievements are undervalued by those I know, or those I reach out to for help with publicity and sales.

Things did change for a while.

I devoted a few years to a writing prompt hashtag on Twitter, one I took over from another author. It was specifically for Australian writers and became really popular during its final years. I had to regularly check the responses several times a day so I could like or comment on every reply.

I was starting to be known in the local scene. And read. And reviewed. Even a manuscript assessor I used had heard of me. Plus these connections helped me be part of an interstate literary festival.

Then Elon took over Twitter. My circle gradually left the platform, with many letting me know before they left. In the end, that hashtag only had two to three authors who regularly responded.

My old community is now spread over several platforms.

I’m back at first base with my social media. I’m trying different things on various platforms finding new ways to connect, but it’s not easy. The gains I previously made, vanished.

I’ve been rethinking the graphics on my website so potential readers don’t instantly think Romance. As a friend said, “I see your work as almost magical realism. Very grounded in real gay experience but dips into the supernatural.” Another friend often reminds me, my audience hasn’t discovered me yet.

Ups and downs are part of everyone’s writing journey, and for the moment, this may be a unique opportunity for reinvention.