Literary Discrimination and Censorship

Here’s the story at http://www.hungermtn.org/color-me-perplexed/, but if you don’t want to read the whole thing, here’s the gist:

Author goes to a speaking event and is approached by a librarian who says: “I love your work! I only wish I had more African American students so that I could use your books.”

God help me if I have to wait for Asian readers before my books take off, but then, I didn’t wait to TURN Asian before I read “Romance of the Three Kingdoms.” (I’d still be waiting!) Half a million gamers didn’t wait to check their ethnicity before they turned on their phones, t.v.s and other such gadgets and role-played to their hearts’ content, either.

I KNOW I am not the only person out there bashing her head on her desk because of statements like this. I can’t imagine what Nikki Grimes felt like at the time, but I’m glad I wasn’t that librarian. Responses like hers frustrate the heck out of me. I think I will go look up something by Nikki. It sounds like her books are good reads and that’s really what it should be about.

New (and Hopefully Temporary) Blogging Rule

I’ve got to cut back. I’ve already done this to a degree in that I’ve only done one post a week for the past two weeks. That trend will need to continue, since I’m incapable of operating on less than five hours of sleep. Five stretches me to the breaking point, which I’ve already hit several times over the last two years.

So except for those weeks (see Under Heaven week) when I feature an author’s book and an author interview, I will likely only have one blog post up. Of course, if I receive notice of a juicy contest with a deadline, I’ll blog about it. 🙂 Also, this will allow me time to visit other people! What with commenting here, reviewing there and trying to block out my next story, I haven’t been a very good blog buddy and I miss that. Hopefully, this will give me a little more leeway.

Thank you for your understanding!

Rules of Book Reviewdom

I’ve read several articles on blog book reviewing and opinions vary. A lot of folks notice how blogs usually rave about books, so honesty becomes suspect. Yesterday I read an article on blog ethics and that reminded me, I’ve never stated my Book Review Policy, so I thought I’d lay out Vic’s Rules of Book Reviewdom:

1. Never be snarky. I know there are reviewers who do this, but I’m not one of them. I know how much insensitive comments hurt and I try not to make them – at least not in print!

2. Always be honest. If there is an aspect of the book I believe could have been stronger, I will say so. See rule #1 on how I do that.

3. If I did not enjoy the book, I will not review it on this blog. Life is short. I have been asked to do reviews of self-published books and many times, they’re works that weren’t ready for print. Since I have (thus far) been asked to do them through a different blog that I do not run, I work within all of my rules but this one. I write the best review I can and try to dwell on the positives more than on the negatives. But on this blog, you’re only going to see reviews of books I enjoyed. The level of my enjoyment can fluctuate, of course. LOL

4. If I personally know the author or (the Lord could be so kind) am paid by the author for the review, I will let you know. Ethically, I think that’s fair. Again, see rules #2 and #3 to know how I review books. You don’t get a free ride just because you paid me gazillions (of pennies) or because you know me.

Have I left out anything? Any questions? Buehller?

On a Sad Note

Leading puppet animation producer Kihachiro Kawamoto has died of pneumonia. He was 85. He was best known for his “Sangokushi,” (Romance of the Three Kingdoms), but was also behind several other animations. Select this link for the complete story, then please join me in a virtual sake toast.

He was an amazing artist.

Sites You’ve Got to Check Out

I just found this site about Antiques and their uses. Before you think, “Bah humbug, I hate antiques and what do they have to do with writing, anyway?” Remember, you may want to write something within an historical context someday. One of the fascinating articles they’ve got up discusses how folks used to cook with quicklime (cooking without a fire) before Chef Boyardee made self-heating cans.

This is an interesting contest with Sarah LaPolla of Curtis Brown. I fear the chance to enter has now closed (I’m not sure on that, so don’t quote me) but it’s still a learning opportunity.

For authors of color, this might be lucrative. Check out publisher Lee and Low’s New Voice Award contest.

And last but not least, many thanks to Fiction Groupie for the link to Jenn Stark’s article on branding tips and trends. Check it out and have a great weekend!