Not nice to be too niche?

I keep receiving rejection letters upon rejection letters. Of course, I understand that literary agents’ and publishers ’ interests are subjective. But, they are also market-driven. They may even be influenced by the politics of the day. All the above being said, writers can place their subject matter in a restrictive niche all on their own. My very identity is particular, uncommon and often perceived as “other”. A transgender woman writing about a transgender heroine sometimes at odds with societal expectations, and dealing with personal trauma while trying to help capture a serial killer who is targeting her as his ultimate victim, might not appeal to everyone.

I mean, I guess I could toss aside my natural inclinations toward expressing what I view as important to write about, and simply go with the flow. I could write about Jo Blow or Wendy Right solving crimes and going home to their heterosexual partners, having babies and calling it a day. Maybe my novels would be more popular, but it wouldn’t be me, not by a galaxy.

So, it’s not that I don’t want to play nice and draw within the lines; it’s that those lines, those parameters, are alien to me. The fact that I’m a queer transgender woman cannot be set aside. What I write about is deeply informed by my very nature. Believe me when I say that every fibre of my being is intrinsically connected to who I am as a writer. The one goes with the other. It could be argued that I am limiting my reach, my growth potential as an author. That can sound like the truth, but I think the manner in which I write goes beyond identity politics, and speaks to fundamental truths like respect, honour, friendships and love. I write about being fallible, weak and alone, of fearing judgment yet standing up despite fear. I write about nearly succumbing, and then, when all seems lost, rising.

LGBTQ+ people are no less human than anyone, and thrillers, like any genre, can and do include our voices more and more. I write this as I weigh the options of continuing my querying efforts, trying to catch the interest of a literary agent, or going for broke and testing the self-publishing path. I’m not getting any younger and would love to share my stories with as many as I can. In my eyes, the big downside about self-publishing is the upfront costs and constant marketing.

In any event, this is where I find myself, trying to navigate the churning waters of doubt.

Joelle