Stop moaning about sensitivity readers – if there was diversity in publishing we wouldn’t need them | Juno Dawson

Since 2011, all my book editors have been white. Why wouldn’t I want another perspective on the characters I invent?Until a few years ago, only publishing industry insiders would have understood the role of the sensitivity reader. Then came American Dirt. The Jeanine Cummins novel sold to a US publisher for a seven-figure advance, was chosen for Oprah’s Book Club, and was touted as “the new Grapes of Wrath”. On release in 2020, early readers noted that the white author’s depiction of Mexican people was, at best, flawed, inaccurate, and riddled with stereotypes and, at worst, simply racist.A sensitivity reader is an additional editor who works alongside the publishing house staffer who acquired the rights to your book. This individual will conduct a very specific read of the manuscript, and offer notes on characters from marginalised groups, or elements which may cause offence. The argument goes that if American Dirt had been sufficiently scrutinised by a reader of Mexican heritage, some of the furore could have been avoided. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2022-03-08 09:00:06 UTC ]

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-03-23 14:30:16 UTC ]
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Teresa Mlawer, Spanish-Language Publishing Pioneer, Dies at 75

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-03-23 04:00:00 UTC ]
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How Working in Publishing Made Me Appreciate Books More

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[ Book Riot | 2020-03-17 10:35:25 UTC ]
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Coronavirus Impact Begins to Spread

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-03-12 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Aging Media Network Serves Senior Care Professionals, But Its Business Model Is Young at Heart

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[ Folio Magazine | 2020-03-10 15:10:55 UTC ]
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Before 'American Dirt,' a history of Oprah's Book Club controversies

Oprah Winfrey first launched Oprah's Book Club on Sept. 16, 1996, 10 years into "The Oprah Winfrey Show," one of the highest-rated daytime talk shows in television history. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2020-03-10 14:00:38 UTC ]
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Oprah’s Book Club Drops My Dark Vanessa, Keeps American Dirt

After holding a forum to discuss one contentious novel, Winfrey said she did not want to wade into literary controversy again. Continue reading at Slate

[ Slate | 2020-03-06 21:49:29 UTC ]
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Oprah, Macmillan Promise 'To Do Better' to Amplify Latinx Voices

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-03-06 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Oprah and Jeanine Cummins’ American Dirt interview will air tomorrow on Apple TV+.

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[ Literrary Hub | 2020-03-05 17:53:35 UTC ]
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Oprah Interview with 'American Dirt' Author Airs March 6 at Midnight

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-03-05 05:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-02-21 05:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Los Angeles Review of Books | 2020-02-14 19:23:11 UTC ]
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Pivot in perception or a load of rowlocks? | Brief letters

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[ The Guardian | 2020-02-14 17:21:53 UTC ]
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#DignidadLiteraria invites Oprah 'on a mission to repair' after 'American Dirt' fracas

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[ Los Angeles Times | 2020-02-13 04:43:13 UTC ]
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How 'American Dirt' controversy could change publishing industry

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[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2020-02-12 17:29:22 UTC ]
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How 'American Dirt' controversy could change publishing industry

The "American Dirt" uproar is prompting the book industry to review, reenforce, and revamp plans to become more diverse and inclusive. The publishing industry is predominantly run by white women, according to a new study. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2020-02-12 17:29:22 UTC ]
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[ Los Angeles Times | 2020-02-07 21:39:43 UTC ]
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