Indie Publisher Drops Author Over Twitter Dispute Regarding OwnVoices

[zodgory]

Another day of drama on book twitter though the current argument is about who can write what. It all started when writer Alisha Hillam tweeted about how white authors shouldn't write from the POV of non-white characters and should have sensitivity readers. This also goes for cis/het authors writing LGBT+ characters and abled authors writing

Comments

[ellie_andrews]

What I'm saying, sweetheart,

[my_moloko]

Seriously, I hate people like that.

[eatmydustbinns]

God it really steams my clams when people throw in sweetheart like that.

[x_neverenough]

I would have checked out of the convo right there. I can't stand that condescending BS.

[zharia]

i see no legitimate point in people being encouraged to only write character POVs or main characters that reflect only the authors personal identity. someone should also not be shamed for pointing out that that is a ridiculous argument. i see no world in which that is a feasible or reasonable ask.

YA twitter is insane.

[crystalzelda]

Yeah, obviously there are bad writers who will do a shitty, racist job of portraying a POC or LGBTQ characters (that Latina book realness where a white woman wrote about being a Mexican immigrant and did basically a caricature ... phew) but the answer to that is more sensitivity readers and scrutiny, not a blanket statement like this. I don’t think this is going to yield the results they want...

In that case Rick Riordan would have been wrong to include so many characters of color, trans characters, non-binary people in his books like his fans asked... and should have just stuck to straight white kids?

[zharia]

yeah, sensitive and more thorough review of books before they are published is a much better solution than "only write what you know ever."

i simply do not see the point of limiting creativity in this way, it seems like such a simplistic understanding of the world.

[crystalzelda]

Her calling the other author sweetheart was condescending and inappropriate. However, she makes a fair point - I’m not sure how it helps diversity for authors to only write about the exact people they are like. Obviously we need more authors of color and diverse voices and that’s really the solution, but I think saying not to make main characters unless they’re basically you seems kinda regressive to me?? Of course though yes to sensitivity readers.

[zharia]

some far left factions seems to be reaching a point of being so progressive they are regressive and i think this is a fair example of that. the natural follow through is also that poc are only relegated to do/cook/write/dance/sing things that only come from their personal identities. limiting individuals like this is antithetical to progressive values in every way.

[crystalzelda]

I see now that the original tweet mentions POV only, so I’m guessing main characters? So yeah the lady debating her is missing the point a bit but I’m not sure this would be a great thing over the long run in terms of diversity. I feel like it makes more sense to go back to the roots of the issue - publishing houses are buying books from white authors when they should be looking for diverse authors, so I feel like that would be the most productive policy rather than saying “we won’t buy books from white authors if they have a POC lead”. In that case white authors would write about white people, but where is the pressure from publishing houses to support colors or author, LGBTQ writers? I feel like the approach is a bit backwards there.

[zharia]

like so many things, so much of the problem is an issue of the industry. obviously not all of it, but the fact that white americans have more money, more 'free time' to write, more ability to take unapid internships, more connections, and so on is the more systemic issue. finding ways to fix the system is a more productive use of time alongside encouraging the uplifting of diverse voices and sensitivity readers.

[elderpricely]

I really, really hate when people say "I have done the research" when it's clear they haven't. If you're asking BASIC questions, you can't then claim you've read up on the nuances and your position is a result of lots of thought & reflection.

[only_thewinds]

literally, she asked what 'coding' was right after claiming to have done research smh

[babyyoda]

Wow that lady is trash