Market forces....

When people discuss self-publication, they usually talk about the 'Twilight' series and '50 shades of Grey' as examples of how successful it can be. They often miss out on the biggest point...these books were rejected by agents and publishers mainly because they didn't feel there was a market for such books.
Most authors are readers too. If someone can't find the book they want to read, they write it themselves as they see a gap in the market. Publishers, once they see a book genre is successful, then flood the market with similar books, be they chick-lit, vampire romance, bondage or tough childhood stories.
No one was writing general crime stories with positive gay characters focusing on a community affected by crime...hence the Gemini & Flowers series. Now all I have to do is find the market!!!!