“Rivalry’s Success Sparks Revival in LGBTQ+ Publishing”
The breakout TV series Heated Rivalry has reshaped attention toward queer fiction. The show turned relative unknowns Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie into rising stars.
From screen to bestseller
The series is adapted from Rachel Reid’s novel of the same name. The book hit the New York Times bestseller list seven years after its initial release.
Each episode draws about 10.6 million U.S. viewers. The book series has sold more than 2.7 million copies to date.
Why readers responded
The novel centers on a closeted hockey star and his bisexual Russian rival. The frank portrayal of queer sexuality helped the story become a cultural phenomenon.
Fans even staged a Heated Rivalry lookalike contest in London earlier this year. The event highlighted the show’s cross-Atlantic reach.
Rivalry’s success sparks revival in LGBTQ+ publishing
Publishers report renewed demand for gay romance and hockey romance titles. Harlequin’s executive editor Stacy Boyd says the success is opening doors.
Harlequin has expanded its acquisitions under the LGBTQ+ romance imprint, Carina Press. Executives cite increased appetite for a broader backlist of queer romance authors.
Industry pressure and backlash
The wider LGBTQ+ publishing sector faces threats from conservative campaigns. Right-wing efforts to ban queer books in schools and libraries have affected sales.
Children’s and young adult books have taken the hardest hit. But adult queer titles also suffer from reduced shelf space and fewer acquisitions.
Voices from the field
Rebecca Podos, a senior literary agent at Neighborhood Literary, links recent rejections to political pressures. She says the current administration has prompted a crackdown on queer stories.
Author Kosoko Jackson noted publishers are taking fewer risks. He said publishers favor straight titles to avoid potential backlash and legal scrutiny.
Uneven gains and ongoing gaps
Despite broader interest, many bestselling gay romances are written by women and marketed to women. Gay men, transgender authors, and BIPOC writers still face marginalization.
Industry professionals warn gains can invite renewed pushback. Stacy Boyd expressed hope there would be no backlash, while acknowledging political unpredictability.
Looking ahead
Agents and editors say Heated Rivalry shows queer stories can reach mass audiences. Rebecca Podos urges authors not to abandon their work despite the challenges.
Supporters see the moment as an opportunity to expand representation. Filmogaz.com’s Mar-Apr 2026 print issue explores these developments and hits newsstands March 24.
