Laura Zats

Just like women hold themselves to standards of Mary Sue perfection, so do we for our female characters. 7/? #pubtip #pubrant

THEY CAN'T. It's why most romance heroines are "clumsy" and therefore could NEVER get a guy with abs. 6/? #pubtip #pubrant

Which limits the agency of your female characters—how can they be "damaged" but also perfect? 5/? #pubtip #pubrant

But here's the problem with fiction—your MCs have to fuck up to change and to create a plot is there. 4/? #pubtip #pubrant

So this public discourse boils down into fiction in one main way: having your female MC be likable. Esp in YA 3/? #pubtip #pubrant

Well, a big part of that conversation also has to do with likability (Hillary Clinton, anyone?) 2/? #pubtip #pubrant

Feminists talk a LOT about how "bossy" is a word used ONLY for women, in a negative, to discourage leadership. 1/? #pubtip #pubrant

The topic of this #pubrant? UNLIKABLE FEMALE CHARACTERS #pubtip

And I think that's it for cons and such. Have fun, wear good shoes, and stay hydrated, everyone! #pubtip

20) If you see a group of agents/editors/writers together, let them do their thing. This is often the only time we see one another #pubtip

19) Don't just grab free things. Talk to people. Know why you're getting what you are #pubtip

17) It's dickish to ask a group their qualifications then ignore some bc theyre "not important" Where will they be next year? #pubtip

16) "Hey, I really liked XYZ you did. How do you like the con?" is way better than "OMG YOUR XYZ TELL ME ALLLLLL ABOUT IT! GIMME!" #pubtip

15) If someone cuts your convo short to go somewhere else, do not escort them there unless they invite you to do so #Pubtip

14) Personal bubbles are a big thing. Especially for women. Even if it's loud, stay at least 2 ft away. #pubtip

13) NO TOUCHING UNLESS INVITED. & Con Crud is a real thing, so don't be offended if we won't shake hands #pubtip

12) If someone says the book isn't for them/they don't have time/etc, BELIEVE THEM AND LEAVE THEM ALONE #pubtip

11) Your favorite writers are there for work and are likely out of their comfort zone. Don't make them be the etiquette police #pubtip

10) We're really not scary and would like to be treated like people. If you can, please avoid crying. We are not gods. #pubtip

9) Don't bring your book along in the hopes you can pawn it off on some poor person you cajoled into taking a look. Leave it @ home #pubtip