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[CCBC-Net] Addendum to the WRINKLE IN TIME discussion
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From: janeyolen at aol.com <janeyolen>
Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:51:32 -0400
When Bruce Coville and I wrote ARMAGEDDON SUMMER, Scholastic initially turned it own despite the editor wanting it because it was said the Clubs couldn't sell it because of the religion. Afterwards the Clubs took it when the Harcourt edition had done so brilliantly). Bruce and I started giving a talk we called "The last Taboo." But? there are a lot of religious books or books about religion out there that are doing just fine, thank you and even winning major awards like the Newbery. And not just L'Engle. So don't cry for us, Argentina.
Jane
Jane Yolen www.janeyolen.com
-----Original Message----- From: James Elliott <libraryjim at embarqmail.com> To: Jcgiblin at aol.com Cc: ccbc-net at lists.education.wisc.edu Sent: Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:29 pm Subject: Re: [CCBC-Net] Addendum to the WRINKLE IN TIME discussion
I don't quite understand the absolute FEAR and loathing of publishing a novel that has a traditional religious bent, when we seem so intent on publishing anything else that is controversial of nature (for example, the recent discussion on GLBT books for teens).
Why is this subject such a taboo? it seems a bit hypocritical to me.
It can't be sales potential, with christian lit for teens and pre-teens
(everything from "Left Behind: the kids" -- which I can't stand myself -- to
"Adventures in Odessey" "Cam Jensen" etc.) consistently selling in high numbers
Jim Elliott North Florida, USA
----- Original Message ----- From: Jcgiblin at aol.com To: ccbc-net at lists.education.wisc.edu Sent: Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:16:27 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [CCBC-Net] Addendum to the WRINKLE IN TIME discussion
Maybe it was because Beatrice Creighton was one of the 28 or 29 editors who turned down A WRINKLE IN TIME. Over a lunch one day, shortly after WRINKLE won the Newbery, a not-so-regretful Miss Creighton told me why she'd declined the story, which she said had a different title when she saw it: MRS. WHO, MRS. WHATZIT, AND MRS. WHICH. I remember quite clearly the gist of what she told me. It went like this: "Madeleine writes wonderfully well, but I just couldn't go along with all the religion business. I thought it got in the way of the story. But I knew Madeleine wouldn't consider any revisions -- so I said
"No." (She was sipping a glass of wine as she spoke.) "I'm sure I've cost Crown (Lothrop's owner then) a lot of money. But I'm really not sorry; I wouldn't have enjoyed working on that story."
A footnote: Beatrice Creighton was the daughter of a minister -- I believe a Methodist minister.
Jim Giblin
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Received on Fri 25 Jul 2008 11:51:32 AM CDT
Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:51:32 -0400
When Bruce Coville and I wrote ARMAGEDDON SUMMER, Scholastic initially turned it own despite the editor wanting it because it was said the Clubs couldn't sell it because of the religion. Afterwards the Clubs took it when the Harcourt edition had done so brilliantly). Bruce and I started giving a talk we called "The last Taboo." But? there are a lot of religious books or books about religion out there that are doing just fine, thank you and even winning major awards like the Newbery. And not just L'Engle. So don't cry for us, Argentina.
Jane
Jane Yolen www.janeyolen.com
-----Original Message----- From: James Elliott <libraryjim at embarqmail.com> To: Jcgiblin at aol.com Cc: ccbc-net at lists.education.wisc.edu Sent: Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:29 pm Subject: Re: [CCBC-Net] Addendum to the WRINKLE IN TIME discussion
I don't quite understand the absolute FEAR and loathing of publishing a novel that has a traditional religious bent, when we seem so intent on publishing anything else that is controversial of nature (for example, the recent discussion on GLBT books for teens).
Why is this subject such a taboo? it seems a bit hypocritical to me.
It can't be sales potential, with christian lit for teens and pre-teens
(everything from "Left Behind: the kids" -- which I can't stand myself -- to
"Adventures in Odessey" "Cam Jensen" etc.) consistently selling in high numbers
Jim Elliott North Florida, USA
----- Original Message ----- From: Jcgiblin at aol.com To: ccbc-net at lists.education.wisc.edu Sent: Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:16:27 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [CCBC-Net] Addendum to the WRINKLE IN TIME discussion
Maybe it was because Beatrice Creighton was one of the 28 or 29 editors who turned down A WRINKLE IN TIME. Over a lunch one day, shortly after WRINKLE won the Newbery, a not-so-regretful Miss Creighton told me why she'd declined the story, which she said had a different title when she saw it: MRS. WHO, MRS. WHATZIT, AND MRS. WHICH. I remember quite clearly the gist of what she told me. It went like this: "Madeleine writes wonderfully well, but I just couldn't go along with all the religion business. I thought it got in the way of the story. But I knew Madeleine wouldn't consider any revisions -- so I said
"No." (She was sipping a glass of wine as she spoke.) "I'm sure I've cost Crown (Lothrop's owner then) a lot of money. But I'm really not sorry; I wouldn't have enjoyed working on that story."
A footnote: Beatrice Creighton was the daughter of a minister -- I believe a Methodist minister.
Jim Giblin
_______________________________________________ CCBC-Net mailing list CCBC-Net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Visit this link to read archives or to unsubscribe... http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/ccbc-net
Received on Fri 25 Jul 2008 11:51:32 AM CDT
