Getting to know Laura Baumbach
Like men? Me too! I like them so much I make both my main romantic characters men. That’s right I write M/M erotic romance. One man’s good, two are better. At least for me.
My name is Laura Baumbach. I write almost exclusively M/M erotic romance. I write just about every sub-genre under that category as well—scifi, historical, contemporary, romantic suspense, thrillers, vampires, werewolves, and paranormal. I’ve been writing for over ten years. Last year Rolling Stone Magazine honored me by naming me ‘one of the pioneers of the M/M romance genre’. It’s my passion. Writing the genre, promoting it and publishing it has become my second career.
The first 34 years of my first professional career were spent as a registered nurse specializing in ICU/CCU and emergency trauma. As I aged I found writing to be a terrific creative outlet that let me always have a happy ending, something sorely missing in my day job. I became totally devoted to my genre so much so I created my own publishing house ManLove Romance Press, LLC aka MLR Press for strictly M/M erotic romance and gay fiction. Five years later, we now also have two imprints, Passion in Print Press for mainstream romance, and Featherweight Publishing for Children’s/YA.
I’ve written articles on the genre, For the Love Of Man examining the M/M erotic romance genre ERWA Writer's Resource article September 2008, host panels at RT and RWA to discuss the unique popularity of M/M erotic romance and generally work to gain more wide spread acceptance of the genre. I believe I was even the first author to use the phrase “manlove” to describe my work as opposed to ‘M/M erotic romance for women” which was how it was known in the early years. Manlove is so much easier to say and captures the true romance of the genre better, IMO.
I spend a lot of time promoting, on the road doing book fairs, conferences, pride events, expos and library events. Luckily, my husband of thirty years is understanding and supportive. My sons are grown up to the point where they come along or don’t mind roughing it with dad for a few days. I love people, redecorating, the colors red and orange, my family and warm weather.
So now you know more about me that you probably wanted to know!
10 comments:
Wow! You really are a pioneer. You've shown how far dedication and passion for something can take you: your own publishing company, national exposure at book fairs, conferences, etc. Thanks for joining us.
You must be a very busy lady, don't know how you have time to write!! I am really not into M/M, but have read some!! This looks like the blog is going to do very good, so many authors in different romance fields!!
Laura, What an exciting and inspiring story! Have you noticed how many of us write in more than one subgenre? Your success inspires me!
Hi Laura,
It's Judith again. I was thinking about what you said in your Introduction. Do you think that writers who push the boundaries are better off starting their own publishing company?
And, how difficult was that to do?
I bet your time in emergency trauma gave you some interesting story ideas, too. I know some ER nurses who have had both harrowing and uplifting experiences, and they can tell a mean story about them.
Hi, Laura. Yes, I like men! And red and orange, and happy endings too. Congratulations on the Rolling Stone mention--that is great.
34 yrs as a trauma nurse is incredible. I am so grateful for the work our medical professionals do.
It's Judith again. I was thinking about what you said in your Introduction. Do you think that writers who push the boundaries are better off starting their own publishing company?
And, how difficult was that to do?
No, I don't recommend starting a publishing company as the first step to succeeding at writing outside the boundaries. It's fairly straight forward to start a company but extremely difficult to make it a successful, respected and profitable publishing house. It should never be approached lightly. These days there are many, many established presses that welcome almost every kind of legally printable manuscript. An author just has to do their research when looking for one that fits their style.
You must be a very busy lady, don't know how you have time to write!! I am really not into M/M, but have read some!! This looks like the blog is going to do very good, so many authors in different romance fields!!
Since starting the company I have had little time to write but now that the press is well established and I have a terrific staff working with me, I'm trying to make more time for my personal writing again. But the needs of my authors will always come first.
Laura, What an exciting and inspiring story! Have you noticed how many of us write in more than one subgenre? Your success inspires me!
I think those of us that already write outside the traditional norm have very active imaginations to start with and we expand over every boundary including sub-genres. We don't like limitations.
Thanks for writing about your experiences as a publisher. Very informative!
I think you're right about us not liking limitations. LOL
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