[Sundae]

Re gender of writer, I only tend to check the author's gender if something really jars. If I find I am reading a female author who has had a female character do/ say/ think something I find unlikely, I shrug it off and go back to the book, suspending my disbelief once again. If I find I am reading a male author, I will be forever on the lookout for more jarring moments.

In serious literature I am happy to acknowledge characters who do/ say/ think very differently than me. I'm more critical of lighter literature because it's supposed to be easily accessible.

Have just read Pride and Prejudice with Zombies. Rollicking good fun. I could swallow the zombies (!) but one thing I couldn't forgive was prior to a zombie attack, the Bennet girls were warned of the approach of a zombie troop by animals fleeing from the woods. Included in the menagerie running across the road were a skunk and a chipmunk. In rural Hertforshire. I don't think so. I won't say it ruined the book for me, but being a pedant it certainly took some of the shine off.

That's about nationality rather than gender, but I think the same applies.

Once you are writing seriously, hand over your drafts to the most pedantic person you know.
I know editors and subs should sort this sort of thing out, but I know I can name countless errors I've come across in published work.