India, June 19 -- The moment you attach the tag "queer" to a romance novel, readers expect two things. "That it will be a coming out story, and a tale of going through an identity crisis," says Rahul Singh, 29, Kolkata-based sociologist and author. Most readers (and most people) can't look past this formula. They expect the plot to tackle some essential past trauma, the fear of coming out, the challenge of overcoming societal rejection, and some kind of neat acceptance arc in the closing chapter.

Queer life, however is richer and messier. No two tales are alike. "Let's be real. It's still difficult to be a queer person, especially in India," says Singh. "But while those are important stories to tell, the experience of being queer is so m...