New Year's Resolution #7: Stop buying YA from Bloomsbury.

[bookshop]

I've been looking forward to the debut YA novel Magic Under Glass for months. I ordered it before the first of the year! it came! The author, fabulousfrock, sent me a bookplate! I was excited!

And then I wasn't.

This is the description of the main character of Magic Under Glass from the review of the book by The Book Smugglers:

Nimira is a performer, dancing

Comments

[evewithanapple]

Sent my e-mail:

To the Marketing staff of Bloomsbury,

Althought I am an adult, I am a fan of the YA genre, and thus have bought many of your books over the years. However, I regret to inform you that I can no longer support your company in light of several racist decisions made by your publicity department.

Last year, the cover of Justine Larbalestier's novel Liar featured a white model, despite the fact that the protagonist of the book is described as black. After the decision stirred up controversy, the cover was changed to reflect the contents of the book, and I hoped that it was a one-time mistake. Now, however, the similarily whitewashed cover of Jaclyn Dolamore's novel Magic Under Glass depicts a young white woman instead of the dark-skinned protagonist who narrates the book. Your company's actions show a disregard for the wishes of the author, and a desire- for whatever reason- to make potential readers believe that these books do not feature nonwhite protagonists. Whatever your motivations, your actions have lost you my business- and my money- until such a time as when you attempt to rectify these mistakes and show more concern for multiracial representation in your titles.

Sincerely,

[my name]

[bookshop]

this is an excellent, excellent letter. Thanks for sharing it.