DAMN THE MAN: SAVE THE KINGDOM - A Letter For Prester John
crossposted from onaleopard
Once upon a time, there was (or perhaps there wasn't) a man named Prester JohnA good bit more recently than that, your friend and mine, Catherynne M. Valente, wrote a book - the first of three - about Prester John and the kingdom he found when he went looking. Being a book by Catherynne M. Valente, it is beautiful and gorgeous ( Read more... )
Once upon a time, there was (or perhaps there wasn't) a man named Prester JohnA good bit more recently than that, your friend and mine, Catherynne M. Valente, wrote a book - the first of three - about Prester John and the kingdom he found when he went looking. Being a book by Catherynne M. Valente, it is beautiful and gorgeous ( Read more... )
Dear Mr. Lassen,
I am a reader of Catherynne M. Valente's fiction. I have bought each of her books as they became available, I am paid subscriber for her stories and have travelled to see her read in several states.I have also purchased her books for friends and family and plan to give The Habitation of the Blessed for holiday gifts. Overall, this is an investment of a large amount of money in book purchases and author support.
I have purchased and enjoyed many books from Night Shade Books and support the work of Night Shade and other small presses.
I am extremely disappointed in the cover art that Night Shade Books has chosen to use. The font is extremely illegible as is the author's name which I can barely read. Likewise, while the artist may be talented, the subject matter distorts the text and ignores the multiracial aspects of the novel. I am saddened to see that both figures on the cover are white, when in the text there are no white characters and many more characters who are not even of the human species. None of this beauty or complexity appears on the current cover.This is a shame for both a groundbreaking writer and for a small press who needs to catch and retain readers in a saturated market.
If I did not know the author's work, I would put this down in the bookstore and leave it unread--and I am sure I would miss something wonderful. Likewise, it saddens me to see another example of whitewashed characters on covers about books that are clearly multicultural. Ms. Valente's novel deals with the beauty in difference and this cover should reflect that. There are so many rich and gorgeous things that could be created for a cover; there are blemmaeye ,talking animals and all the luxurious color of illuminated manuscripts. This book cover should encompass these facets of the book and show the world inside for what it really is, rather than a whitewashed guess at what it is.
I ask you to please give this book the cover it deserves, respect the author's wishes and listen to your audience who consumes and purchases your product. Night Shade Press has the chance to make this book a marvel and reach out to new consumers for Night Shade Press instead of making something that neither the creator nor the fans are happy with. I urge you to take this chance and make it the book it should be.
Sincerely,
Jessica M***
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