Last year, I wrote this post about not really giving a toss as to whether an author used a pen name or not.
I did, however, make the point in both the post and the comments that the exception to this was when an author appeared to misrepresent themselves.
A number of people agreed on the issue of misrepresentation and several went on to describe the example in m/m romance and erotica of when an author has created a profile of someone with the opposite gender.
The issue of an author’s gender was a topic that Wave took up in late 2010. She asked if this was actually something which really mattered to readers and the post generated some interesting discussion.
Since then, I have found out a couple of extremely popular m/m romance and erotica authors writing as gay men are actually women.
As I said in my original post, I couldn’t give a flying fuck if the books I like are written by gay or straight, boys or girls, etc because, for me, the question of the authenticity and legitimacy of the work of one author over the other doesn’t come into it. Quality is all that matters.
Ordinarily, that is. Remember that proviso I made?
Yeah.
In these particular cases, what really, REALLY bothers me is that these authors have been deliberately misleading, if not down right dishonest, about their gender and sexuality.
Such is the extent of the complex web these authors have weaved that they have created elaborate bios and lives around this persona. Even going to the length of sharing photographs as well as establishing connections with the broader GLBTQ community to, it has to be assumed, ‘prove’ they are who they say they are.
Flabbergasting. Appalling. Bullshit.
I call complete and utter bullshit.
I hope to the Book Goddesses no one gets hurt by this when the shit hits the fan – as it inevitably will with the m/m community being so small. I can’t help but feel, though, there will be a lot of feelings of betrayal given the popularity of these authors.
I also wonder if it will be really worth it when it’s all said and done? Who knows.
So, what do you think? Is this type of misrepresentation a step too far for you? I mean, seriously. What you would really do if you found out your fave gay author of m/m romance was actually a chick? Can you honestly say this wouldn’t effect how you feel about them or influence your buying habits?
Kris + Books = Good. *Sometimes*. 
JenB: “More than that, I hate that the cliquish nature of the m/m community and the absolute SNOBBISHNESS of the “real GLBT fiction” community make authors feel that it's necessary to lie to fans and readers.”
It is sad if this is part of the reasoning of authors who have constructed personas, ambiguous or elaborate, for themselves. It's just so unnecessary, especially when readers tend to not give a flying fuck whether the authors are male or female or gay or whatever in the first place.
Orannia: 🙂
It's pretty clear that the worst offenders care more about what other authors think than what their readers think.
JenB: You reckon?? Well, when the shit hits the fan, it will be the backlash from the readers that will be really felt… right in the wallet.
Well, at least I have you to back up my maleness.
Until you find out I hired an actor to meet you for coffee that time.
Oh wait, did I say that out loud? Shit.
*muuterIknewitmutter*
How 'bout if I just tattoo my NAME across my boobies. Which isn't Mia. Fortunately, I actually have boobies because otherwise, I'd feel silly wearing this bra all the time. 😉
That won't work if you're trying to prove that your Mia though.
I think you should tatto Mia over one boob and your real name over the other boob. That way you can prove who you are either way. Also, boys will think that you've named your boobs. They'll think that's cool.
well, if that's what Mia has to do to prove she's a girl, what does Sean Kennedy have to do to prove he's a boy? enquiring minds and all that.. 😀
Well, Sean???
You'd better pick a coffee shop you don't mind being banned from for that one, Kris, for when Sean drops trou to prove his maleness.
Good point, Chris.