Comments on: WTF Wednesday: Diversity, Where Art Thou?

By: Evangeline

Evangeline — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:48:42 +0000

Ah, but can you really equate writing a 1930s historical with white characters, with wanting the freedom to write characters of your ethnicity/cultural background and stand on the same level as your white counterparts? I feel it cheapens the difficulties writers of color face when the lack of cultural diversity is aligned with not writing Regencies or contemporaries with billionaires and tycoons.

I find it interesting that regarding Lee, there isn’t more outrage that she’s been blatantly asked to write white characters to maintain her career. That is extremely disturbing to me: to stay published you’ve got to keep white readers happy, as they only want to read about white characters falling in love…it just gives me the willies and makes me not want to support the genre.

By: Jody W.

Jody W. — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:27:03 +0000

You make me sad. Come, Patsy.

By: Anthea Lawson

Anthea Lawson — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:13:20 +0000

Great post, Jackie. And all too sadly true. I agree that it’s hard for someone who’s not an established (read NYT bestselling) author to push the boundaries, especially in this climate.

Publishing has always been risk-averse, but also trying to operate on the blockbuster model – so it’s a weird paradox. SOMEBODY has to take that chance on the ‘next’ Twilight or Harry Potter, and yet…

I agree – readers need to stop buying the limited, same-old-rehash titles the stores offer up and search out the off-the-beaten path books. But how do you get that message out there to a wider audience?

Also, some NY publishers DO take chances – there are a number of very interesting books out there (ok mostly from the ‘smaller’ houses like Kensington, Dorchester, Medallion, and Sourcebooks) that do take risks and push boundaries. Support those authors so that they can keep writing ‘different’!

By: Ericka Scott

Ericka Scott — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:16:11 +0000

This is a tough one. I honestly try to buy a “new” author when I’m out shopping for book. And I, for one, take chances on those out-there premise books. Heck, I write outside the box myself. But I have noticed that most of the genre-bending books I pick up are e-books…can’t find them in print editions.

Sadly, it is a business and I’m hoping we’ll see some recovery in publishing when the entire economy gets back on the upswing.

By: Amie Stuart

Amie Stuart — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:57:15 +0000

In retrospect, I wish I’d stepped outside my comfort zone for that book.

I said in a private email that a) while the majority of readers are internet savy (and I believe the median demographic for Twitter and Facebook is the 45-55 range but don’t quote me), and able to find information on books they want online
B) they’re not a part of Romance-landia and thus, miss things like the DA post on Race in Romance.

C) Sad as this is, (and I’m basically saying what you said) publishing is a business and the bottom line is $$$ thus, publishers ARE going to take the safe road whether it’s Regency romance or contemporaries with “White Bread” Characters or the mashups. I don’t say that because I’m angry or criticizing. Much as I don’t like it, I totally understand the concept of “it’s a business” and right now, it’s a business that’s hurting.

D) the question is how do you reach those readers who ARENT a part of Romance-landia and change their perception of what IS or what ISNT a “Insert Ethnicity Here” romance?

I had an E but it’s probably a good thing I forgot it LOL