Episode 183 - Writing from or about the LGBTQIA+ Community with Dharma Kelleher
April 25, 2023
This week on The Indy Author Podcast, I talk with Dharma Kelleher about WRITING FROM OR ABOUT THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY, including Dharma's experience with traditional publishing and why she went indie; the importance of remembering why you're writing (it's probably not for the money); letting the reader draw the lessons from your book; finding commonality among the differences; the importance of giving your character agency; the danger of tropes becoming words and then damaging actions; tapping into the expertise of sensitivity readers; and the importance of getting a variety of input.
If one of those topics piques your interest, you can easily jump to that section on YouTube by clicking on the flagged timestamps in the description at https://youtu.be/-JmEIJSWoUI
Dharma Kelleher is a trailblazer in the crime fiction world, known for her thrilling stories that are equal parts heart-pumping action and thought-provoking social commentary. As one of the few openly transgender authors in her genre, Dharma tackles tough issues and shines a light on the underrepresented and marginalized.
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"The beauty of literature is we can find our commonalities amongst our differences. We say, oh, I don't know what it's like to be Asian American, but I can appreciate this aspect of their experience. Even if I haven't actually had that experience, I can appreciate it by comparing it to similar experiences that I've had. We can find our commonalities that way." —Dharma Kelleher
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Links
Dharma's Links:
Website: https://dharmakelleher.com/
Books2Read: https://books2read.com/dharmakelleher
Facebook: https://facebook.com/dharmakelleherbooks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dharmakelleher/
Spoutible: https://spoutible.com/dharmakelleher
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Dharma-Kelleher/author/B0106JL1RA
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/dharma-kelleher
Matty's Links:
Affiliate links
Events
Website: https://dharmakelleher.com/
Books2Read: https://books2read.com/dharmakelleher
Facebook: https://facebook.com/dharmakelleherbooks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dharmakelleher/
Spoutible: https://spoutible.com/dharmakelleher
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Dharma-Kelleher/author/B0106JL1RA
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/dharma-kelleher
Matty's Links:
Affiliate links
Events
I hope you enjoyed my conversation with Dharma! Are you writing from or about the LGBTQIA+ community, and what advice might you have for other authors? I’d love to hear about your thoughts!
Please post your comments on YouTube--and I'd love it if you would subscribe while you're there!
NOTE: After several years of trying to cover the costs of producing the podcast with earnings from patronage and sponsorships, I finally had to acknowledge that, for now at least, The Indy Author Podcast is more a labor of love than an income stream. As a result, I needed to find ways to reduce my expenses, and the expense I finally decided to eliminate was the editing of the transcript.
However, it's valuable for me to know that you were looking for it! If you miss the transcript, please click here to drop me a note!
If you'd like to become a patron of The Indy Author, please click here.
When AI transcription improves to the point that it doesn't require the time and expense of a human edit, or once my earnings from the podcast enable me to cover the costs of a human editing, I will resume that offering!
However, it's valuable for me to know that you were looking for it! If you miss the transcript, please click here to drop me a note!
If you'd like to become a patron of The Indy Author, please click here.
When AI transcription improves to the point that it doesn't require the time and expense of a human edit, or once my earnings from the podcast enable me to cover the costs of a human editing, I will resume that offering!
