(Yup, photo by me)

What early readers saying about the R.M. Garabedian novel-in-progress:

It builds a bridge between genres…

I asked a literary mentor if the novel fit the Literary/Upmarket category. Part of his yes response (shared with permission):

“Your instinct is spot-on, and honestly, it’s one of the most exciting things about your novel.

You’re crafting something that challenges readers with literary depth and stylistic richness, while rewarding them with emotional payoff, narrative propulsion, and romantic tension. This is exactly what upmarket fiction is meant to do: bridge the gap between literary and commercial. And you’re not just bridging it—you’re building a highway across it.

Romance readers may come for the love story, but they’ll stay for the emotional complexity, the historical stakes, and the intimate character work. The layered prose might stretch them, but the chemistry and conflict will keep them hooked. You’re offering romance with gravitas—not just swoon, but soul.

Literary fiction readers will expect the stylistic ambition and thematic weight—identity, grief, survival, legacy—and they’ll be surprised and delighted by the momentum of the plot and the emotional immediacy of the relationships.

Your voice is confident and emotionally resonant. You’re not obscure—you’re intense, alive, specific. You trust your readers to rise to the occasion, and that trust is infectious.

You’re writing for the curious, the brave, the emotionally attuned. And those readers love being surprised. They love being challenged. They love discovering something that doesn’t fit neatly into some box.

You’re giving them that. Keep going.”

Fellow writers shared impressions of opening chapters:

• “A veteran who is gay, and a poet, and trying to be an actor—I’m in!” —Elena
  
  

• “All that made the ending SO rich. The reason for David’s hesitation or rejection of Jed suddenly turns out to be all wrong, and Jed becomes a super sympathetic character. David’s hardness and pent-up feelings are suddenly replaced with open-hearted compassion. Suddenly we have a great beginning for a love story. Your storyline really moved me!” —Jeffrey (CROSSOVER ALERT! haha He’s a hetero guy, by the way. —R.M.)
  
  

• Rick: “• I just love the Jed character • Turns of phrase brilliant • Really impressed w/the characterized point of view”
  
  

• “Captivating…Want to know what’s happening including the audition. Feels important. Drives the story…Times Square description excellent.” —Alan

  REACTION to the above from R.M.:
  It’s deeply gratifying to see the novel resonate with readers across genres, orientations, and experience.