Pointing out racism in books is not an ‘attack’ – it’s a call for industry reform | Monisha Rajesh

I was called aggressive for criticising passages in Kate Clanchy’s memoir. But the real problem lies deep in the overwhelmingly white world of publishingIt started with a tweet. Kate Clanchy, author of Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me posted on her Twitter account that a reviewer on Goodreads had “made up a racist quote and said it was in my book”. She urged her almost 40,000 followers to flag the review that claimed she had bigoted views on race, class and body image, and had used terms such as “chocolate-coloured skin” and “Jewish noses”. Prominent authors and columnists swooped in to offer support, decrying how Clanchy could possibly be subjected to such inhumane treatment – including the current president of the Society of Authors, Philip Pullman, who declared: “But of all the people and of all the books to have had this happen … It’s hard to stay optimistic about the human race sometimes.”However, it soon emerged that those terms were, in fact, in the book. Incredulous that antisemitic and anti-Black tropes could have made it into a book published as recently as 2019, I downloaded and read it. I recoiled as a Somali boy is described as having a “narrow skull”, while one Muslim girl is “very butch-looking … with a distinct moustache”, and another “looked brilliant because she has such a strong skull shape”, which sounds more like something a eugenicist might observe than a trusted teacher. There is a troubling exchange where Clanchy is baffled by a boy who,... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2021-08-13 13:51:20 UTC ]
News tagged with: #inhumane treatment #current president #philip pullman #ableist tropes #memoir #book published

Other news stories related to: "Pointing out racism in books is not an ‘attack’ – it’s a call for industry reform | Monisha Rajesh"


The Harlem Book Fair Returns After Nearly Calling It Quits

The renewed community event returns on September 7 under the theme, “Literary rɛvəˈluʃən (revolution).” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-09-03 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book fair


AAP StatShot: US Book Industry Flat in First Quarter

In its look at Q1 2024, the American publishers' StatShot tracking analysis sees children's and YA books under pressure in March. The post AAP StatShot: US Book Industry Flat in First Quarter appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2024-05-16 18:51:38 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book industry #ya books #american publishers #aap statshot


The '90s called. They want their books back

When the graphic novel remake of Ann M. Martin's book Claudia and the Bad Joke was the best-selling kids book in Canada earlier this month, it was time for bookworms to feel their hearts flutter with nostalgia. The original, part of the wildly popular The Baby-Sitters Club series, was published... Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2024-04-26 08:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #graphic novel #bad joke


China’s Book Industry in 2023: Back in the Black

The Chinese book market in 2023 went from negative to positive in its growth metrics, thanks in part to a fast rise in short-video book promotion. The post China’s Book Industry in 2023: Back in the Black appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2024-03-28 19:35:32 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book industry #book market #post china


Piracy in Italy: Study Shows Book Industry Losing €705 Million Annually

Book piracy is costing the Italian book market more than a quarter of its overall value, according to a study commissioned by the AIE. The post Piracy in Italy: Study Shows Book Industry Losing €705 Million Annually appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2024-03-08 22:07:51 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book industry #book piracy #book market #study commissioned


Book Review: ‘I Heard Her Call My Name,’ by Lucy Sante

Lucy Sante recounts the trials and joys of her gender transition in the memoir “I Heard Her Call My Name.” Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2024-02-03 10:14:55 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #memoir #gender transition #book review


How a Book Publishing ‘Mistake’ Reignited the U.K.’s Royal Racism Furor

The rollout of “Endgame” caused a scandal after a quickly withdrawn translation named family members said to have asked about the skin color of Prince Harry and Meghan’s future son. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-11-30 16:38:36 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book publishing #prince harry #skin color


Frankfurt: Ljubljana Reading Manifesto Rallies Book Industry

Guest of Honor Slovenia kicks off its professional program at the Frankfurt Book Fair with a presentation of Ljubjana Reading Manifesto. The post Frankfurt: Ljubljana Reading Manifesto Rallies Book Industry appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-10-18 15:10:08 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #frankfurt book fair #book industry #professional program #post frankfurt


Albanese says attacks on Dan Andrews ‘low point in journalism’ as News Corp vitriol continues after resignation

Murdoch papers declare the premier’s electoral popularity was a ‘cult’ and his legacy nothing but a state ‘deep in debt’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastThe Sunday Herald Sun’s front-page photo of the... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-09-27 03:28:06 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #news corp #guardian australia #national broadsheet #herald sun #front pages #free app #latest updatesget #free morning #victorian premier


Society of Authors calls use of bad reviews for book blurbs ‘morally questionable’

After several critics complained of being quoted out of context on the covers of Jordan Peterson’s new book, the industry body has spoken out against the practiceThe Society of Authors (SoA) has spoken out against publishers misrepresenting negative reviews on book covers and the UK publisher... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-09-01 06:02:22 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #bonnier #paperback edition #authors soa #industry body #back cover #jordan peterson


What the sale of a major American book publisher means for authors, the industry — and you

Book publisher Simon & Schuster's sale to investment firm KKR is novel in many ways, but also part of a long-term trend. History tells us to expect the unexpected. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2023-08-08 17:35:35 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book publisher


Germany Funds Book Industry Exchange With Ukraine at €900,000

This exchange program, coordinated by the Börsenverein, brings together organizations in Germany and Ukraine to promote the book industry. The post Germany Funds Book Industry Exchange With Ukraine at €900,000 appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-07-26 14:24:20 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book industry


Booksellers, Industry Groups File Suit to Block Texas Book Rating Law

The 28-page complaint claims that the law—which is set to take effect in September—would impose sweeping, vague, and unconstitutional content-based restrictions and unduly burden booksellers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-07-25 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


‘There’s an industry-wide mental health crisis’: authors and publishers on why the books sector needs to change

After a survey revealed the stresses that authors face when placed in the spotlight for the first time, publishing houses and industry bodies have pledged extra training and pastoral careAuthor and publisher welfare has been a hot topic in the books industry of late. Publishing houses, trade... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-07-18 15:13:43 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishing houses #bookseller #independent publisher #english pen #communications director #anna frame #mental health #hot topic #books industry #industry bodies #survey revealed


March StatShot: US Book Industry Up 3.2 Percent Year-to-Date

The AAP StatShot figures for March 2023 arrive with trade revenues up 0.2 percent for the month of March, 1.1 percent year-to-date. The post March StatShot: US Book Industry Up 3.2 Percent Year-to-Date appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-06-09 16:06:34 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book industry


Book Review: ‘Code Red’ and ‘Calling the Moon: 16 Period Stories From BIPOC Authors’

Decades after “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” an anthology and a novel let readers see periods through the eyes of diverse protagonists. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-06-02 09:00:39 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #anthology #bipoc authors #book review


Grief Books Point to God and Gospel

Religion publishers offer inspiring personal stories and spiritual practices for surviving the deep pain of losses in life. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-05-23 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #deep pain #spiritual practices


New Books on Grief Point to God and Gospel

Religion publishers offer inspiring personal stories and spiritual practices for surviving the deep pain of losses in life. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-05-23 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #deep pain #spiritual practices


At London Book Fair: Brexit and Creative Industry Funding

Describing an 'inward-looking atmosphere,' panelists at London Book Fair explored the funding impact of Brexit on the literature market. The post At London Book Fair: Brexit and Creative Industry Funding appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-04-26 13:37:28 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #london book fair


At London Book Fair Tuesday: Copyright Under Attack

Threats to copyright protections, publishing leaders at London Book Fair will say today, are as broadly international as the Internet. The post At London Book Fair Tuesday: Copyright Under Attack appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-04-18 04:30:37 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #london book fair #publishing leaders #attack appeared #copyright protections