CCBC-Net Archives
Re: Social Justice and Publishers/"social justice novels?"
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: J.L. Powers <jlpowers_at_evaporites.com>
Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:37:22 -0800
On the subject of publishers and social justice novels, I wanted to point out that although New York publishing houses do publish novels that tackle tough topics, the difference between a house that annually puts out 50-100 children's titles and a smaller house, like Cinco Puntos (they published my second young adult novel), which puts out 4 children's titles a year, is substantial. So independent presses are really making a choice that their books will stand for something--and if they're a for-profit press, they are truly putting their money where their mouth is. They need *every* title to do well or they face the possibility of going under.
I also wanted to say that I don't think there is such a thing as a "social justice" novel or if there is, it sounds awful-- very didactic and "instructive" and nothing I'd want to read myself, much less put in the hands of a teenager. What I like to read (and what I look for when I'm featuring a book on The Pirate Tree) are well-written, entertaining novels whose plots and character development are layered and sophisticated and which naturally and organically explore deeper questions and issues related to our humanity. While this may be a very vague and sloppy way to think about "social justice," it's how I approach it.
Also, books that are not intended to raise deeper questions and issues--or which are read primarily for entertainment--can be examined for the underlying messages they provide about society, gender, nature, and prejudice. For example, the Twilight books have been analyzed for the ways they convey Mormon theology, and I'd be curious how much Myers intended to convey the theology or whether it is just so deeply embedded in her world view that it came through. I've also seen feminist analyses of Bella, her main character. I think if I had a fourteen year old daughter, I'd let her read the books but then I'd want to talk with her about why I hope she never finds herself in an all-consuming no-room-to-breathe relationship like the one Bella has with Edward. Most books, in fact, open the door to discuss bigger issues. They reveal the cracks in society, more often than not in ways the author never intended.
Thanks for letting us be part of this discussion.
Cheers,
Jessica (J.L.) Powers www.jlpowers.net www.thepiratetree.com www.fertilesource.com
Received on Fri 11 Nov 2011 09:37:22 AM CST
Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:37:22 -0800
On the subject of publishers and social justice novels, I wanted to point out that although New York publishing houses do publish novels that tackle tough topics, the difference between a house that annually puts out 50-100 children's titles and a smaller house, like Cinco Puntos (they published my second young adult novel), which puts out 4 children's titles a year, is substantial. So independent presses are really making a choice that their books will stand for something--and if they're a for-profit press, they are truly putting their money where their mouth is. They need *every* title to do well or they face the possibility of going under.
I also wanted to say that I don't think there is such a thing as a "social justice" novel or if there is, it sounds awful-- very didactic and "instructive" and nothing I'd want to read myself, much less put in the hands of a teenager. What I like to read (and what I look for when I'm featuring a book on The Pirate Tree) are well-written, entertaining novels whose plots and character development are layered and sophisticated and which naturally and organically explore deeper questions and issues related to our humanity. While this may be a very vague and sloppy way to think about "social justice," it's how I approach it.
Also, books that are not intended to raise deeper questions and issues--or which are read primarily for entertainment--can be examined for the underlying messages they provide about society, gender, nature, and prejudice. For example, the Twilight books have been analyzed for the ways they convey Mormon theology, and I'd be curious how much Myers intended to convey the theology or whether it is just so deeply embedded in her world view that it came through. I've also seen feminist analyses of Bella, her main character. I think if I had a fourteen year old daughter, I'd let her read the books but then I'd want to talk with her about why I hope she never finds herself in an all-consuming no-room-to-breathe relationship like the one Bella has with Edward. Most books, in fact, open the door to discuss bigger issues. They reveal the cracks in society, more often than not in ways the author never intended.
Thanks for letting us be part of this discussion.
Cheers,
Jessica (J.L.) Powers www.jlpowers.net www.thepiratetree.com www.fertilesource.com
Received on Fri 11 Nov 2011 09:37:22 AM CST
