One thing that the self-publishing revolution has made easier is finding work by oft-marginalized authors. While the traditional publishing industry is rather homogenized with cis- and heteronormative narratives, the ease of self-publishing has opened up space for the LGBT community to stake a wider claim in modern literature. Here’s a selection of some noteworthy LGBT books and authors you can find in the indie scene.
Refuse by Elliott DeLine
Elliott DeLine is the author of a few well-received books and is a rather prolific writer, having contributed to the New York Times, Original Plumbing and more. He is also rather decorated; this book, Refuse, received a silver medal in the 2011 LGBT Rainbow Awards for Best Transgender/Bisexual Fiction.
Refuse is a dark, authentic book that doesn’t sugarcoat the experiences that transgendered people might find themselves in emotionally and socially.
The Hollow Sun by D.L. Wainright
Wainright is new to the scene, having just released the first book of their series earlier this year.
The Hollow Sun mixes Norse mythology with modern teen life, and Wainright deftly juggles both sides of the coin to create a dark and gripping adventure that fantasy and horror fans should certainly enjoy.
If you love cannibalistic serial killers, goth kids and YA novels, you’re in for a treat!
Deep Dish by Marc Harshbarger
Brace yourself, because this book is a bit frisky and not for the faint of heart!
Deep Dish features an outrageously spicy 70s plot taken right out of a soap opera, with lots of hookups and hijinks occurring among a (very) wide cast of characters in only 24 hours. It’s quite the romp that lovers of all things camp will want to pick up but won’t be able to put down. And if you find yourself unable to let go when it’s over, grab Deeper Dish, the sequel!
Kamikaze Boys by Jay Bell
If you want a quaint love story between two believable, multi-dimensional characters, you’ll want to check out Kamikaze Boys.At first glance this book might seem cliché–a jock-meets-nerd highschool romance–but a sweet, authentic story develops as the two find their love challenged by external circumstances.
Kamikaze Boys is a winner of the Lambda Literary Award for gay romance, and has won two GoodReads members’ choice awards.
Know Not Why by Hannah Johnson
What we have here is a coming out story, as the protagonist learns to deal with his burgeoning homosexual interests.
Having just taken a job at a craft store, Howie initially hopes to hook up with a female coworker–but what happens when he catches himself taking an interest in his boss Arthur instead?
Johnson does an amazing job of fleshing her characters out–more than just a romance, you’ll feel as though you truly know and understand the full cast in this well-executed coming-of-age book.
Days of Love by Elisa Rolla
Unlike the other books in this list, Days of Love isn’t fiction–it’s a comprehensive compendium of LGBT couples from antiquity to today. Readers can learn about historical LGBT figures from centuries ago, or indulge in anecdotes from present-day LGBT couples and authors. It’s also handsomely illustrated, with both painted and photographed portraits by a range of artists.
Days of Love is a winner in the LGBT Non-Fiction category of the Beverly Hills International Book Awards, and has won silver medals in the 2015 Global Ebook Awards and the 2015 Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews and Awards Contest.