The M Author Is A Cishet Female Writer Who Writes M/M Romance Or Gay Fiction
The m author is a cishet female writer who writes M/M romance or gay fiction. The argument over whether cis women should be allowed to write gay romance has been going on for a long time.
It has a bad habit of getting nasty, outing closeted queer people and generally causing a lot of pain for everyone involved. But it also reveals the ridiculousness of how the gender binary works in practice.
Author Bios
A good author bio quickly establishes credibility and authority in the reader’s mind. For nonfiction books, a few professional credentials in the field can make the difference between “this sounds interesting” and “I’m sold”. In the case of fiction, a short bio that highlights other titles the author has written helps build a sense of familiarity with the writer.
Personal interests and pursuits can also help humanize the author. For example, an author whose book is a supernatural thriller set in rural settings might include in her bio that she “lives on a farm with her husband and three children.”
When writing an author biography, overselling can invoke reader skepticism. Evaluate each line of the bio to determine if it is necessary or adds value. Also, remember that your bio is a living document–it will likely change with the release of each new title you write. A great place to start is by reading other authors’ bios.
Cover Art
From the fold-out gatefolds of vinyl albums to the tiny thumbnail on music streaming services, cover art is a crucial part of how we perceive an album. Some artists go for a minimalist approach, while others use kaleidoscopic imagery to draw listeners in.
The right imagery and typography can communicate an album’s tone and theme, while a clear title and metadata are essential. However, an excessive amount of effects or filters can oversaturate the image and become visually overwhelming.
Whether they’re using an actual photo or an illustration, effective cover art should have a bold, striking look that draws buyers in and helps them understand what kind of content to expect. It should also be sized properly so that the text is legible. This includes avoiding using fonts that are too small or blurry. In addition, cover art should not include URLs or logos from digital service providers or music retailers. This can confuse listeners and make the cover seem promotional rather than creative.
Book Covers
The best covers don’t just fit the book, they sell it. That’s because the cover needs to do a lot in very little space. It should communicate genre (and perhaps mood) and captivate the reader in one second.
When I look at the covers for books in m’s bestselling fiction category, I see that they tend to be simple: they use a strong image with a bold font and no unnecessary text or colors. They also include a link to the author’s website and social media pages.
I’ve seen many indie authors try to be clever on their cover art by using images that refer to or symbolize the book, but that can backfire. It can confuse readers or just get in the way of a clean, compelling cover design. And, remember, most people will see your cover in a thumbnail size. That means contrast is key – dark figure on light background, or vice versa.
Author Photos
A good author photo is essential to promote your book and to ensure that potential readers can connect with you as an individual. A good photographer will take several shots for you, giving you a wide selection to choose from. They should be able to give you ideas about how you might pose and which props to use. They can also show you how to properly hold the camera and make a natural, appealing face.
Your author photo should be consistent with your subject matter. If you write steampunk novels, it makes sense that your author photo would include a parasol. Xiran Jay Zhao has been known to wear a cow suit for her photos, which shows off her visual playfulness and is consistent with the tone of her writing.
Avoid poses that are overly-formal or awkward, such as those where you stand with your arms crossed and look down at the camera, or where you’re clumsily clutching a stack of books in your hands. These poses send signals of amateurism and unprofessionalism to your audience.