Why is American book publishing so white?

If squabbles over format, pricing and Amazon have led the US publishing industry to neglect an ever more diverse audience, we have forgotten why people read books in the first placeThe true price of publishingAt the recent National Book Awards ceremony in New York City, presenter and bestselling author Daniel Handler, better known as Lemony Snicket, made comments intended as humorous – though widely heard as offensive and racist – after presenting an award in the young adult category to author Jacqueline Woodson. Apparently, not even a ripple of discomfort crossed the room as Handler made his comments, which centered on the African American author’s allergy to watermelon. I wasn’t present that night, but I’ve been at past NBAs and countless similar events, and can well imagine the sea of white faces turned up to the podium, the thousand white hands applauding. (Handler later apologized and contributed to a fund for diversity in children’s literature). The matter would never have become public at all if social media hadn’t erupted during the livestream of the event: people were tuning in and listening in a way that mainstream US publishing was not, and hasn’t for some time. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2014-12-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #publishing industry #diverse audience #lemony snicket

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