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 ]
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Reviews of New and Forthcoming Religion and Spirituality Books, March 12, 2014

A lyrical memoir about spiritual refueling; a starred review for an examination of the lives of LGBTQ Catholics. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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DiPreta Named Publisher of Hachette Books

The Hachette Book Group has appointed Crown Archetype editor-in-chief Mauro DiPreta v-p and publisher of Hachette Books, a new division. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Retailers Call for Action on E-Fairness

In advance of today’s hearing before the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary, RILA and NRF urge lawmakers to level the playing field. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Starbucks picks Frederator Books' ebook

Frederator Books, the year-old children’s ebook publishing program founded by cartoon veteran Fred Seibert, is getting a boost in the arm, or at least a shot of caffeine: Letters From Catbug,... To view the full story, click the title link. Continue reading at Crains New York

[ Crains New York | 2014-03-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Future of Books Looks a Lot Like Netflix

The book business is merging into the magazine business as more publishers sell literature via subscription to highly targeted clusters of readers. High-profile literary studio Plympton is leading the charge with its $5-a-month iOS service Rooster.     Continue reading at Wired

[ Wired | 2014-03-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Keith Richards pens children's book

The Rolling Stones in their pomp were the famous five Enid Blyton could never have invented.     Continue reading at The Sydney Morning Herald

[ The Sydney Morning Herald | 2014-03-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Literary Agent/ Film Producer Talks Book-Movie Synergy

Anna Soler-Pont of Barcelona's Pontas Literary & Film Agency discusses the her dual careers in books and movies, and role as an agent, writer and producer. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-03-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Festival of Books Adds IndieBound Buy Buttons

Following a vociferous response by SCIBA members to the "L.A. Times" decision to exclude their stores from its Festival of Books website, IndieBound buy buttons will be added this week. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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World Book Day titles triumph; Berry cooks up a storm

World Book Day titles dominated the top of last week's UK Official Top 50, nabbing the first... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Indian Publisher Pauses on Second Hinduism Book

An Indian publisher says it will have independent scholars examine objections from a conservative Hindu group to a book by American religion scholar Wendy Doniger. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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E-books by Sainsbury's sells Anobii brand

E-books by Sainsbury’s has sold the brand and social networking elements of ebook site... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Mindy Kaling will reportedly write follow-up to her bestselling book 'Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?'

During a panel at Austin's South by Southwest conference, Kaling said she is writing another book. Kaling's show 'The Mindy Project' was recently renewed for a third season. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Orion Children's Books gets Keith Richards story

Rolling Stone Keith Richards is to publish a picture book with illustrations by his daughter.... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Keith Richards to write kids book

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards teams up with his artist daughter to write a picture book inspired by his own granddad teaching him to play the guitar. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2014-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Book Deals: Week of March 10, 2014

Tor seeks ‘Truth’ from Dennard, gets ‘Unnoticed’ by Brockway and more in this week's notable book deals. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Plaintiffs: No 'Do-Overs' For Apple in E-book Case

Attorneys for the consumer class argue there is enough evidence to assess damages against Apple via a summary judgment. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Samsung's thing for (faux) leather continues with the ATIV Book 9 Style

Samsung's clearly been listening to Venus in Furs a lot recently, which explains why it's gone a bit crazy on the faux-leather all of a sudden. After covering both the Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Tab Pro and Chromebook 2 in the stuff, the company has now... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2014-03-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Paddington' movie trailer glimpses at children's book series bear

The 'Paddington' book series was written by Michael Bond and initially illustrated by Peggy Fortnum. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-03-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Read Harry Potter books in a few hours? New tech may make it possible

A new technology that is set to make its debut in April could one day make it possible for users to read Harry Potter books in just a few hours.     Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2014-03-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Audio Book Club Live in Seattle!

This month Slate’s Audio Book Club hits the road for a live show at Town Hall Seattle. Dan Kois, Hanna Rosin, and special guest star Hugh Howey (Wool) discuss Kurt Vonnegut’s classic novel of war and space aliens, Slaughterhouse-Five. The trio discuss Vonnegut’s deep depression, the way Billy... Continue reading at Slate

[ Slate | 2014-03-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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