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

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Green Apple Books: PW Bookstore of the Year

Twenty years ago, if someone had told Pete Mulvihill, Kevin Ryan, and Kevin Hunsanger that they would one day own Green Apple Books, the store where they then worked, all three of them would have been “gob-smacked”—much like their reaction last month when they were told that their San Francisco... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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MacAdam Cage Authors Look to Resolve E-book Dispute

Despite complaints from former MacAdam Cage authors about ebook royalties and statements, Mark Pearce, publisher of MP Publishing, the ebook distributor that controls their ebook rights, claims all royalties have been paid and all statements are up to date. Pearce is urging former MacAdam Cage... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Book, Magazine Sales Fell 9% at BAM

Sales of books and magazines fell about 9% at Books-A-Million in the year ended February 1, 2014 compared to the prior year. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hungry Girl’s First Diet Book Hits Big

Lisa Lillien, better known as “Hungry Girl” to her fans, has eight bestselling cookbooks under her belt, and her first diet book, 'The Hungry Girl Diet: Big Portions. Big Results. Drop 10 Pounds in 4 Weeks,' has hit the ground running. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Reviews of New and Forthcoming Religion and Spirituality Books, April 21, 2014

Pope Francis sounds key themes of his papacy; the nun on the bus encourages activism. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Savannah Book Festival to Offer Year-Round Author Events

The Savannah Book Festival announced plans to offer year-round author events, starting with Tami Hoag set to headline the Spring 2014 event. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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PW Picks: Books of the Week, April 21, 2014

This week, Elizabeth McCracken's outstanding story collection, a true story of a changing brain, and a toy figurine with hidden meaning. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Books, Toys Still Work Together for Specialty Outlets

Since the demise of Noodle Kidoodle and Zany Brainy in the early 2000s, specialty “book-and-toy” stores have maintained a low profile. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A Mix of University Press Call New England Home: Spotlight On New England 2014

New England is home not only to some of the oldest and largest university presses in the U.S. but to one of the most unique ones—University Press of New England, which represents a consortium of four colleges and universities. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Left Bank Books To Close Downtown Location

After negotiations for a better lease fell through, Left Bank Books in St. Louis is closing its 5,500-square-foot downtown location as of May 31. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Indies Test 'One Book, One Store' Campaigns

This year several independent bookstores have tried putting their weight behind a single title in an effort to see if they can move the sales needle through strong, but quick, promotional efforts. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Apple Loses Another E-book Decision

Judge Denise Cote yesterday rejected Apple’s November 2013 motion to dismiss the states’ class action claims for lack of standing. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Nominations for the 2014 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards

Rep. John Lewis’s "March Book One," Isabel Greenberg’s "The Encyclopedia of Early Earth," Adrian Tomine’s “Go Owls,” and Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples’ "Saga," were among the wide-ranging comics works nominated for the 2014 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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ALA: 'Captain Underpants' Most Challenged Book of 2013

Compiled annually by the ALA, the list collects "reports on book challenges from librarians, teachers, concerned individuals and press reports." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Picture book Dinosaur Roar! to become stage show

Kids entertainment company Nurture Rights has signed an exclusive deal for Birmingham Stage... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-04-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Comics Artists Lust, Yang Win L.A. Times Book Prizes

Comics artists Gene Luen Yang and Ulli Lust have been awarded L.A. Times Book Prizes for Young Adult Literature and Graphic Novels respectively for 2013. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Baker Publishing to Acquire Regal Books

Baker Publishing Group and Gospel Light announced that Baker will acquire Regal Books, the trade line of Ventura, Calif.-based Gospel Light. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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L.A. Times Festival of Books Hits the Mark Again

The spirit of literary camaraderie makes itself known at the 19th L.A. Times Festival of Books. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Book Deals: Week of April 14, 2014

A film-to-book adaptation from Haifaa al Mansour and a new fantasy graphic novel series are among this week's notable book deals. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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PW Picks: Books of the Week, April 14, 2014

This week, the town the American Dream forgot, the eye-opening effects of technology, and an evil nanny. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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