Can the lack of new, locally-produced gay-themed books be blamed on the fact that gay men don't read? This is what writer David Herkt says he has been told by publishers in New Zealand, and it's a myth he wants to dispel. "In New Zealand, apparently, women read, which explains the number of New Zealand women novelists being published at the moment, sports books sell, which explains the unending number of rugby books, but because gay men supposedly don't read, no-one is willing to take a punt on a gay book - especially one that includes gay sex," he says. It appears no-one is putting themselves forward to write material, either. "I've been asking around and it is interesting that no-one, absolutely no-one, can point me in the direction of newer gay writers," he says. If enough writers contact him with good work, Herkt says work can be done to remedy the situation. "I'm pretty much interested in anything written about the gay male experience or from the perspective of a gay man, whether its fiction, erotica, poetry, academic writing, memoirs or history.” David Herkt can be reached via email at davidherkt@ihug.co.nzor david@jack.co.ck.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Tuesday, 18th October 2005 - 12:00pm