Contest: Project QueerLit

[JaNell]

The Project: QueerLit Contest

http://www.projectqueerlit.com



3 AM Magazine, Blowsquish Creative, Custom Erotica Source, Ted Gideonse of Ann Rittenberg Literary Agency, Inc., Other, Outsider Ink, Problem Child, Slow Trains, Suspect Thoughts Press, TLA Video, Velvet Mafia, and Mitchell Waters of Curtis Brown, Ltd., are proud to announce the Project: QueerLit contest.



The Project: QueerLit contest celebrates and brings media attention to unpublished authors of queer writing and opens doors for publication of their work. The Project: QueerLit contest is open to any unpublished author of an English-language novel with queer and/or bent content.



Author may not have published or be contracted to publish a novel in any form. Previously published chapbooks, nonfiction, shorter fiction and collections of short fiction, and other work published in multi-author collections, magazines, etc. do not disqualify you. A novel with queer or bent content refers to a novel of any genre or blending of genres with LGBTIQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Queer), or with alternative themes, situations, voice, or characters. The author (and the novel) does not have be “gay” to be considered. Queer in this context can also mean a bent or outsider worldview.



There is a very important and much-needed niche in publishing—support of creative alternative and queer literary voices—being underserved. More corporate monsters are taking control and less innovative books are being created, distributed, and stocked. Over 70% of the book publishing industry is controlled by a very small group of large multi-media corporations. Similarly, independent and LGBTIQ bookstores are closing at an alarming rate owing to large bookstore chains cornering the market. Like our country’s shrinking media options, the book industry is facing similar pains. Queer authors, or authors who work with queer, alternative, or “subversive” themes, are finding it increasingly harder to get represented, let alone published.



Does this mean it’s harder to publish alternative and queer authors? Yes, but it doesn’t mean that it’s impossible. Nor does it mean that it shouldn’t be done. There’s even more reason to do it! The authors and their words are there. And more folks want to read these authors’ words than ever before. Project: QueerLit intends to bring media attention to these authors and their work, hopefully opening doors for publication for many of them during each contest period.



Please see the Project: QueerLit website at http://www.projectqueerlit.com for prizes, complete details, and submission guidelines.

[SeeingI]

Sounds good ... sure wish I had a novel to send them!

Don't know about the queer-lit market being "underserved," though. There's a thriving niche market for it, and many many "mainstream" novels have some queer content.