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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How to Upload Public Domain Books Straight to Your Kindle — For Free

If you're looking for digital versions of older books to download, check out Project Gutenberg first. The site is filled with stuff that has lapsed into the public domain, which means it's free.     Continue reading at Wired

[ Wired | 2014-03-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Rowman & Littlefield Signs Library E-Book Deal

Under the new partnership the publisher will provide ebooks directly to the Douglas County Libraries at a flat discount, which will then own, and host the content on its own proprietary system for ebook lending. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How the Meat Industry Keeps Chicken Prices High

This essay is excerpted from The Meat Racket: The Secret Takeover of America’s Food Business, by Christopher Leonard, published by Simon & Schuster. Continue reading at Slate

[ Slate | 2014-03-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Meat Industry 1, Obama Administration 0

This essay is excerpted from The Meat Racket: The Secret Takeover of America’s Food Business, by Christopher Leonard, published by Simon & Schuster. Read another excerpt from The Meat Racket, about how Tyson keeps chicken prices high. Continue reading at Slate

[ Slate | 2014-03-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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China Licensing of UK Children’s Books Gains Momentum

Tight restrictions on foreign transactions did not deter UK kids publishers from striking numerous deals following the China Shanghai Children's Book Fair. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-03-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Vook Debuts Free E-book Sales Tracking Service

Vook, a digital publishing and distribution platform, is launching Author Control, a new data service that allows authors and publishers to track ebook sales and unit downloads across every major retail channel. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Chalice Press Acquires Book by Minister Defrocked for Marrying Gay Son

Chalice Press has acquired a book by United Methodist pastor Frank Shaefer, who was defrocked in December for officiating at his gay son’s marriage six years ago. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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UK Independent Publishers Call for Bolder Experiments

Signs from the UK Independent Publishers Guild conference signal a move toward bolder experiments with with content, DRM, and engagement to foster a brighter future. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-03-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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AWP 2014: Relaxed Atmosphere at the Book Fair

Publishers and conference attendees described a relaxed atmosphere at this year's Association of Writers and Writing Programs annual conference, held in Seattle from February 26-March 1. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Artist's spoof Ladybird book provokes wrath of Penguin

Publisher tells Miriam Elia to stop selling satire in which Peter and Jane grapple with Tracey Emin-style conceptual artAn artist and comedian has been told by the publisher Penguin that her new satirical art book breaches its copyright, and if she continues to sell copies it could use the... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-03-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Humble Bundle Looks to Add E-books

While video-game players are familiar with the gaming site Humble Bundle, ebook readers will hear a lot more about it in the coming months. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Book-Based Movies Hot

In February, social media chatter was dominated by films inspired by books—six of the top 10 most-discussed books have movie adaptations either in theaters or in the works. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'12 Years a Slave' will be distributed to schools as part of World Book Night

Special World Book Night copies of '12 Years a Slave' will be made available to schools. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-03-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Podcast: Apple Looking To Buy Time In E-Book Case

In a federal courtroom in Manhattan, attorneys for Apple in its ebook price-fixing case are offering up lessons in creative legal maneuvering. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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PW Picks: Books of the Week, March 3, 2014

This week, a dangerous game in small-town America, a book that will get you obsessed with dinosaurs, and an extreme survival camp. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Independents vie for regional crowns at Bookseller Industry Awards

Thirty-eight stores earned a spot on the regional shortlists and are in the running to be The... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-02-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Apple Appeal: Judge Botched E-book Case

Apple’s appeal of its price-fixing case boils down to this: Judge Denise Cote blew it. "The evidence," Apple argues, "cannot support a finding of a conspiracy." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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You Can Help Make One of the Biggest Indie Photo Books Ever

Mossless has put out just two issues of its magazine, and for its third issue, the new photography publishing outfit is putting out a book--a very large book. With 550 photographs by more than 100 American photographers, it will fill more than 280 pages. It might be the largest independent... Continue reading at Wired

[ Wired | 2014-02-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Chapter 2 Books Stays Open After All

Chapter 2 Books in Hudson, Wis., signed the lease Tuesday on a larger retail space, less than a week before it must vacate its current location. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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New Light on Lent: Books Help Readers See Anew

During the Lenten season Christians are urged to more deliberately contemplate Christ’s suffering and death. But traditional observances, such as penance and fasting, all too often produce dour expressions instead of spiritual fruits. Three new books hope to resurrect the joyful side of this... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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