And another great round-up of the unbelievably believables. Especially about the male giving advice to the young ladies. I think this is one case where "lived experience" trumps technical knowledge, no?
TYTY, as always. You remember Tony the Tiger saying "It's GREAT!"?
This is the last line of the article This is not a fair representation of the engaged and passionate chair that the management committee and members see.”
Somehow I fail to see compassion and empathy when they are calling a fellow member of the SoA bigoted and that by definition any one who stands with her is as well.
To be perfectly clear, I would be proud to called a friend of Jo Rowling's as I stand shoulder to shoulder with any author who has received death threats. Freedom of expression does not come with a but.
I would note as an aside that any one who engages in ad hominin attacks of that nature knows they have lost the argument.
It does beggar belief that the chairperson continues to tweet in this manner.
Sorry for the delay, Ma'am. My email was down for a long while. I could see the handwriting on the wall in the first two paragraphs:
"And, in spite of the involvement of three prominent names in children’s books, it has already prompted outbursts of unmistakably adult fury."
SHAME, SHAME on You all for Your "outbursts of unmistakably adult fury." I think they mean shame on You for contradict the prevailing orthodoxy, but that's just me. And:
"not to mention Joanne Harris, author of the bestselling novel Chocolat"
Yeah, I get it. The other three and JK Rowling don't amount to much, compared to the incomparable "bestselling" author of all this monstrous *crapola.* Yeah, that last line is the clincher.
What can I say? I'd call her a chairmonger instead-a chairperson, but that's just me. Hang in there, is about all I can offer. I just wonder if the chairperson had to *pay* for the piece in the Guardian, or if it was pro bono.
For the Guardian this is about a strong of criticism as you will get of the prevailing elite. I was shocked they covered it. The main clincher is that remains in the media spotlight due to the Chairperson's actions.
Courage does call to courage.
On a happier note, a friend, a fellow Harlequin Historical author had her book reviewed in the NYT. (Not your thing I know so don't worry) it was a v positive review and it does show that HH is open to more story lines than various rumours from a few years back that it was all White Supremacy takeover getting rid of the Kimani line. <sigh> It is about doing to affect change rather than simply protesting online at the injustice and promising to do better (rinse and repeat). True change takes time. Skin tone is not a trope.
Yes that is the review Lydia is another friend of mine. She is not my mentee but the Hussies (or the HH Author Group) scooped her up once I found out that she had sold (dont get me started about editors not telling us about debut authors). It is a hard and often lonely business and people face steep learning curves.
My friend is Parker J Cole. Her book comes out in October and is the first time HH will feature a black man on the cover (we both think he should have been darker). One of the fears with Kimani going was that the output would be mainly interracial, rather than highlighting black heroes. I ended up doing a ton of research about various nearly erased people in history. You must remember one duke ever married a dairy maid and yet they built an entire genre around it.
Further to yesterday's article, I have learned that Kate Clanchy whose book was publicly cancelled -- led to the resignation of Philip Pullman was not even a member of the SoA. It was very reckless of the chairperson to seek her out and give advice (advice which backfired horribly). People are allowed to write reviews (authors should not read them as they mess with your head). Authors write for the readers who get their books. A book which is published by a reputable publishing firm should have gone through a copy editing process which should have picked up the potential for problematic words. Prizes should not be rescinded either unless you can prove judges failed to act with integrity. One can always try to learn lessons going forward but otherwise you are part of the Freedom of expression comes with a but crowd and given to issuing fatwas.
Some people have. More people. The Index onCensorship have done a support page for Rusdie -- the messages were quite heartening.
I was pleasantly surprised at the response to my tweets. Ms Harris accused me of being rude by including her in and speaking in the third person. Pity that. I doubt she will take my suggestion to take time off twitter and seriously reflect either. It is going to take a long time.
I read this in an article my mother emailed me -- "The underlying assumption was that to punish words simply because they gave offense to somebody’s feelings, beliefs, or political views would strip freedom of expression of all meaning." It demonstrates why the Woke philosophies including gender ideology are not compatible with a position of power where freedom of expression is a bedrock belief. I don't mind people holding these views but they are totalitarian and have no place in a democracy based on the right of dissent. https://www.csmonitor.com/Daily/2022/20220818/Rushdie-assault-an-attack-on-more-than-freedom-of-speech?cmpid=shared-twitter
It certainly keeps some silent. They have seen what happens to others -- being dropped by agents or not having contracts renewed. Some is down to being afraid of marketing and not getting promoted. The chill of fear leading to self-censorship has been very real.
I finally confessed to my agent who was pleased that someone was actually trying to stand up. A lot of the people in publishing over 45 are v pro-Freedom of Expression and are appalled at what is happening. But to find out who they are, you sort of have to talk in code.
It will be interesting to see how it develops. I certainly intend to fight.
My editor got back to me late yesterday and the revised partial (first 3 chapters and synopsis) of the latest Viking were fine. She can't wait to see the full so I shall have to finish it quickly. As my twitter threads were all over UK publishing twitter yesterday, I assume they saw it and it is fine. I have a contract.
I think I have an answer to the TWAW No debate mantra -- I believe in Freedom of Expression has no 'But' after it.
Apparently the actor Emma Watson has a pixie cut -- I hear bets are being taken to see if Watson comes out as non-binary.
I'm so, *so,* SO proud of You, Ma'am!
And another great round-up of the unbelievably believables. Especially about the male giving advice to the young ladies. I think this is one case where "lived experience" trumps technical knowledge, no?
TYTY, as always. You remember Tony the Tiger saying "It's GREAT!"?
This was in the Guardian today https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/aug/21/poison-pens-leading-writers-call-for-overhaul-of-uks-society-of-authors?utm_term=Autofeed&CMP=twt_gu&utm_medium&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1661072738
This is the last line of the article This is not a fair representation of the engaged and passionate chair that the management committee and members see.”
And this is the tweet exchange between the chairperson and a friend of hers on twitter : https://twitter.com/RooneyRachel/status/1561275770923847683
Somehow I fail to see compassion and empathy when they are calling a fellow member of the SoA bigoted and that by definition any one who stands with her is as well.
To be perfectly clear, I would be proud to called a friend of Jo Rowling's as I stand shoulder to shoulder with any author who has received death threats. Freedom of expression does not come with a but.
I would note as an aside that any one who engages in ad hominin attacks of that nature knows they have lost the argument.
It does beggar belief that the chairperson continues to tweet in this manner.
Sorry for the delay, Ma'am. My email was down for a long while. I could see the handwriting on the wall in the first two paragraphs:
"And, in spite of the involvement of three prominent names in children’s books, it has already prompted outbursts of unmistakably adult fury."
SHAME, SHAME on You all for Your "outbursts of unmistakably adult fury." I think they mean shame on You for contradict the prevailing orthodoxy, but that's just me. And:
"not to mention Joanne Harris, author of the bestselling novel Chocolat"
Yeah, I get it. The other three and JK Rowling don't amount to much, compared to the incomparable "bestselling" author of all this monstrous *crapola.* Yeah, that last line is the clincher.
What can I say? I'd call her a chairmonger instead-a chairperson, but that's just me. Hang in there, is about all I can offer. I just wonder if the chairperson had to *pay* for the piece in the Guardian, or if it was pro bono.
For the Guardian this is about a strong of criticism as you will get of the prevailing elite. I was shocked they covered it. The main clincher is that remains in the media spotlight due to the Chairperson's actions.
Courage does call to courage.
On a happier note, a friend, a fellow Harlequin Historical author had her book reviewed in the NYT. (Not your thing I know so don't worry) it was a v positive review and it does show that HH is open to more story lines than various rumours from a few years back that it was all White Supremacy takeover getting rid of the Kimani line. <sigh> It is about doing to affect change rather than simply protesting online at the injustice and promising to do better (rinse and repeat). True change takes time. Skin tone is not a trope.
As You say. I recall You were mentoring someone. Was your friend this one?
In any event, hope for the best for her. I've got a subscription to NYT. Are You talking about Lydia San Andres? Is this the review?
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/20/books/review/new-romance-novels.html
TYTY, as always.
Yes that is the review Lydia is another friend of mine. She is not my mentee but the Hussies (or the HH Author Group) scooped her up once I found out that she had sold (dont get me started about editors not telling us about debut authors). It is a hard and often lonely business and people face steep learning curves.
My friend is Parker J Cole. Her book comes out in October and is the first time HH will feature a black man on the cover (we both think he should have been darker). One of the fears with Kimani going was that the output would be mainly interracial, rather than highlighting black heroes. I ended up doing a ton of research about various nearly erased people in history. You must remember one duke ever married a dairy maid and yet they built an entire genre around it.
Further to yesterday's article, I have learned that Kate Clanchy whose book was publicly cancelled -- led to the resignation of Philip Pullman was not even a member of the SoA. It was very reckless of the chairperson to seek her out and give advice (advice which backfired horribly). People are allowed to write reviews (authors should not read them as they mess with your head). Authors write for the readers who get their books. A book which is published by a reputable publishing firm should have gone through a copy editing process which should have picked up the potential for problematic words. Prizes should not be rescinded either unless you can prove judges failed to act with integrity. One can always try to learn lessons going forward but otherwise you are part of the Freedom of expression comes with a but crowd and given to issuing fatwas.
You've got the right of it, 100% Ma'am. 110%. Yeah, they give it a "but" and issue fatwas all right.
Oops on the typos. Sheesh!
My typos are worse than yours. There are reasons why I love and adore copy editors!
Thank you. Your support means a lot. And lol about Tony the Tiger.
https://nypost.com/2022/08/20/salman-rushdie-rally-held-outside-new-york-public-library-after-stabbing-attack/
At least some well-known authors and industry people here have defended Rushdie.
Some people have. More people. The Index onCensorship have done a support page for Rusdie -- the messages were quite heartening.
I was pleasantly surprised at the response to my tweets. Ms Harris accused me of being rude by including her in and speaking in the third person. Pity that. I doubt she will take my suggestion to take time off twitter and seriously reflect either. It is going to take a long time.
I read this in an article my mother emailed me -- "The underlying assumption was that to punish words simply because they gave offense to somebody’s feelings, beliefs, or political views would strip freedom of expression of all meaning." It demonstrates why the Woke philosophies including gender ideology are not compatible with a position of power where freedom of expression is a bedrock belief. I don't mind people holding these views but they are totalitarian and have no place in a democracy based on the right of dissent. https://www.csmonitor.com/Daily/2022/20220818/Rushdie-assault-an-attack-on-more-than-freedom-of-speech?cmpid=shared-twitter
Agree. I also think that for some published authors they’re afraid of losing their deals so they become voracious in towing these lines.
It certainly keeps some silent. They have seen what happens to others -- being dropped by agents or not having contracts renewed. Some is down to being afraid of marketing and not getting promoted. The chill of fear leading to self-censorship has been very real.
I finally confessed to my agent who was pleased that someone was actually trying to stand up. A lot of the people in publishing over 45 are v pro-Freedom of Expression and are appalled at what is happening. But to find out who they are, you sort of have to talk in code.
It will be interesting to see how it develops. I certainly intend to fight.
My editor got back to me late yesterday and the revised partial (first 3 chapters and synopsis) of the latest Viking were fine. She can't wait to see the full so I shall have to finish it quickly. As my twitter threads were all over UK publishing twitter yesterday, I assume they saw it and it is fine. I have a contract.
I think I have an answer to the TWAW No debate mantra -- I believe in Freedom of Expression has no 'But' after it.
Apparently the actor Emma Watson has a pixie cut -- I hear bets are being taken to see if Watson comes out as non-binary.
I’d like to talk to you offline at one point. I’m trying to find an agent but being new in this business isn’t easy in normal times. Lol.
Email me -- you can find the address on my website www.michellestyles.co.uk
One of the best pieces of advice I ever received about agent hunting was A to Z and then Z to A. It is a numbers game.
Oh and when I first started with Harlequin, I didn't have an agent.
Thank you! I will email you today!