Women writers all over America and the world were trying to post comments when a debate began -- I think the first salvo was by Jennifer Weiner, author of 'In Her Shoes' and other bestsellers -- about why it's better to be a famous male who writes literary fiction or biography if you wish to be reviewed in the NY Times.
It got really heated.
I hope the transcript is posted somewhere, and would give you a link if I could (come on, writers, out there, help me out!) because many writers (and I was one) chimed in, pointing out that books that enjoy any kind of popular readership are almost guaranteed to be overlooked. My first and third books ('The Deep End of the Ocean' and 'A Theory of Relativity') were reviewed in the Sunday Review and the daily newspaper. Because the second review was an evisceration -- in part because the reviewer was outraged that I used food in sexual imagery --- my publishers have since refused to give my books to the NY Times, although I'd prefer, personally, to take my chances. (BTW, I'm not the first writer ever to write about food and sex.... think, Ernest Hemingway, for example.)
Whoever can find it will enjoy the repartee. It was really generous of Dwight Garner, senior editor of the New York Times Book Review to engage in the debate, although he clearly evidenced some bias.
The Book Babes, formerly associated with the Poynter Institute and who now write at The Book Standard (www.TheBookStandard.com) on all topics related to the book biz, from reviews to trends, have said that the New York Times will increase its coverage of non-fiction under new leaderships BUT ALSO of popular novels. I'm curious as to how this will go.
Meanwhile, Mark Sarvas, host of Elegant Variation (marksarvas.blogs.com/elegvar) has called for a petition (a petition?) to get the Book Babes off the web.
What the heck is that? Mr. Savras (haven't had the pleasure although Forbes calls him "much-quoted") says that the Book Babes are neither Book-ish nor Babes. He calls them "nice old ladies." This is one of those cases in which the writer betrays more about himself than about his subject -- sexism, age-ism, pinhead cultural snobbery, a penchant for censorship among them.
For my part, the Book Babes can review me any old time...
v best,
Jackie M.
BTW: The link was sent to me by Jocelyn Kelley, of Kelley and Hall Book Publicists. It'shttp://papercuts.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/06/12/the-skim/
Comments (2)
How funny that you post this today - just yesterday Ian asked if I was going to try to write something more "commercial" this time to increase its chances of being picked up by an agent. (The agent who looked at Homefront said it was "too risky" for a first novel.)
I said, "Well, no. But maybe it will be more commercially acceptable by accident, since the main character is a male. People tend to prefer to read literary fiction - or take it more seriously - if the main character is male."
Which isn't exactly the same as what you wrote in your blog about male or female writers, but it's along similar lines.
Wasn't it often considered a compliment if someone told you you wrote like a man? I can't remember where I read that.
I wonder, if "Homefront" were instead called "Front Lines" and were written by a man, would it have been snatched up by agents?
Hm.
(Of course, this comment alone runs the risk of me sounding like I'm in denial. Someone could easily say, "Look - the book just wasn't good enough, and now you're playing the sexism card?? Get over yourself!" Interesting position.)
Now, off to check out those Book Babes, as well as that ridiculous petition.
K
Posted by Kris | July 2, 2007 10:04 AM
Posted on July 2, 2007 10:04
I came to your site via the NYTBR blog, via Jen Weiner's blog.
Amazing. That the NYT editor completely bypassed Jennifer's questions, and seems to have not reposted after yours.... wow.
I am a fan of both yours and Ms. Weiner's. I live in Arkansas, I have never read the NYTBR. Somday, I hope to be on a best-seller list. I am neither male, nor "important." But we'll see.
Thank you for speaking out for women writers.
~Savannah B.
Posted by Savannah | July 6, 2007 11:32 PM
Posted on July 6, 2007 23:32