Comments | bana05: Publishing and the Privilege of White Expression

bana05

Publishing and the Privilege of White Expression

Jul 24, 2009 11:05

As a primarily self-published author, I take on a lot of the responsibilities of a more mainstream publishing conglomerate. I have to, obviously, do my own writing; do my own editing (with some pitfalls, admittedly, because I cannot catch everything myself despite my best efforts); my own book covers; my own book pricing; and, most importantly, my ( Read more... )

me, publishing, aa, race, no politically correct here, writing

Comments 17

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bana05 July 24 2009, 16:13:16 UTC

I'm still working, because I have SERIOUS shyness and self-esteem issues, but I know I can tell a pretty damn decent story, shoot.

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bana05 July 24 2009, 16:44:12 UTC

The big-girl knickers ride something fierce, but I reckon if you just pretend they're thongs....:-P

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gryffinclaw July 24 2009, 16:22:15 UTC

I really admire you for your writing/publishing. It is such a frustrating industry.

I remember I DESPERATELY wanted to read the one you wrote, about the girl who was a hairdresser (I think?) anyhow she fell for her trainer...I never did buy the ebook, but I will! I promise!

bana05 July 24 2009, 16:26:24 UTC

No apologies--it's still on sale! You can get it in Kindle now too. But just go here. The majority of my books are there.

And yeah, it's hard. Really hard, but I gotta...

gryffinclaw July 25 2009, 03:00:02 UTC

Kindle? Lol I do not own one of those! I will read it though. Trust me.

bana05 July 25 2009, 09:58:34 UTC

lol, I don't own a kindle, either, but it's there! :)

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ribbon_scythe July 24 2009, 18:39:48 UTC

Ugh, I wanted to strangle those guys at Bloomsbury for that cover. Now I really want to read that book (I do have a thing for stories about androgynous women) so long as I don't get that cover with that girl on it. The weirdest thing was they claimed that they were doing it to make the book "racially neutral." Since when is white the neutral race? I would have never suspected the book to be about a black girl. I would have assumed it's yet another "Mean Girls" kind of book and glossed over it like I do most non sci fi/fantasy YA books. I'm learning more and more not to judge books by their cover (oh, Twilight...you deceived me with your gorgeous cover ( ... )

bana05 July 24 2009, 18:45:24 UTC

Or if they must keep it, have some books there and have some books in the umbrella sections. I understand why because Gay/Lesbian-themed books should probably have a section as well as be in the Fantasy section if it's fantasy or the Romance section if it's romance or the Mystery section if it's mystery. But to act like only a certain group of people would find something worthwhile from a story that's either about or written by PoC is damn insulting and untrue!

And there are PoC in fantasy contrary to widespread belief. And um, let that black woman and that Asian man run right to the nearest altar (or bed! lol) because if ever two groups of people don't get much love, it's those two!

And, aw, shucks *blushes*

folklorefanatic August 3 2009, 23:13:12 UTC

All of this.

I don't want the old school vanguard to dictate to me what I can or cannot publish, as both a light-skinned person of color or as a writer. There's little doubt in my mind that editors and publishers will read what they want to read into my complexion if they see me and make that benefit me in a way that no one deserves. If my cousin Charissa were to write novels, I have no doubt they would segregate her books. Why do you and she deserve that and I don't? Because one of our parents was black and one white? Why does anyone deserve that ( ... )

bana05 August 4 2009, 00:12:43 UTC

Hi,

You go to Harvard? What are you studying? What house?

Even if you were light-skinned or biracial, if you have a black parent you are an African-descended writer, which means you go in the black section. And while my blog post here focuses on romance, everything I discussed applies to just about anything any black person/person of color writes.

I'm sort of on Dreamwidth as I have an account there, but I mostly import my posts from here to there. I also have a blog that has more writing-related thoughts. And Harvard...heh, well, yeah.

And there are e-publishers that do more mainstream work, but I agree that your best bet is probably a more traditional publishing house.

folklorefanatic August 4 2009, 16:27:58 UTC

Folklore & Mythology, Lowell. I actually started college in 1999, but I took several leaves for medical reasons (injuries and a sleeping disorder). I was in college during a lot of the time you were, I think. Then I took five years off. Heh. It pinged in my head the way you said 'concentration' and not 'major ( ... )

bana05 August 5 2009, 10:56:28 UTC

I don't think you can worry about that, ultimately, because shelving has most to do with the bookstores and not the publishers. However, some people really don't care what color you are and will shove your book where it should go. But on the other hand, there's a chance that if they put your picture on the back cover and if you look as light as you do, they might put your book in the "regular section"; or they will look at who the book is about and put you in the "black" section. It really depends and I admittedly get a headache trying to figure out what's what. But at least in e-publishing they don't necessarily do it by the author's race because most of the interaction is electronic; so unless you have a photo on your Web site, they won't have a clue as to your color. And most of the time they don't even care.

But I say keep going. And there's always self-publishing, where nobody really gives a flying fig what color you are!

Lowell House, I was in Eliot House. :) Are you close to graduating?

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