Why I write complex LGBTQ+ fiction
If you’ve read any of my novels, you’re probably aware they aren’t easy to categorise.
Sure, there’s sapphic romance in all my book. Two women either get together during the book or are already together at the outset. So, that’s LGBTQ+ romance, right? Well, not really.
Many romance readers are clear about what they like and what they don’t. This obviously varies from reader to reader and can depend on what level of spice they like in their romance, but it’s fair to say that many “messy” themes are off the table. Unfortunately, my characters do messy very well and I’m not very good at talking them out of it.
For example, in my books, you’ll find explorations of:
Grief
Murder and other crimes
Infidelity
Prejudice and bigotry
These last two bullet points are elements that some romance readers refuse to countenance. I get that and, believe me, I’m not trying to tell anyone what they should be reading - you do you and have fun with it. But I don’t want anyone to be disappointed when they open one of my books and find that they’re a little different.
So, if I was to list a few things to expect when you read a Kit Eyre book, I’d probably start with:
There’s a love story but it’s not the sole (or sometimes not even the primary) focus of the novel
It’s going to get emotionally messy at some point
A crime or mystery story might be tangled up with the protagonists
Sex scenes are likely to be tame or fade to black
There will be a happy romantic ending
On this last one, I’m firmly in the LGBTQ+ romance category. I’ve read and seen so many dismal endings for LGBTQ+ characters that I won’t be writing one anytime soon. People in our community deserve to see happy endings play out in some form or another. And that’s why I do use the “romance” moniker at times when I think it applies. For example, Nights at the Majestic was an age gap romance and I embraced that label.
My seventh novel, Spiked, is set to be different. It ticks all of the boxes above, so it’s not going to be a straightfoward girl-meets-girl read. That means it won’t be for everyone but, hey, if you’re looking for something a little different, it might just be worth your time.
Spiked will be released on 22 May 2023. Pre-order your copy now.