From: Marge Pellegrino <margepell_at_comcast.net>
Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2014 10:33:29 -0700

I've been scanning these messages and if ideology's impact on book sales has already come up, please forgive me.

I offer an example of my book published out of London and reviewed well that didn't sell because, I believe, of ideology. Journey of Dreams was given a stared review in Kirkus, on the list of best books by Kirkus, Independent Children's Booksellers, A Southwest Book of the Year, CCBC Choice, Smithsonian Notable Book, USBBY honor list, Americas Award Commended list. The book made it onto Chicago Public Library, Florida Hispanic Heritage Month, and Vamos a Leer recommended lists. Barnes and Noble thought it would be a cross-over that adults would want to read. That said -- it may never go to paperback even though Frances Lincoln Publishers did a heck of a job getting the book out there.

The book is historical fiction following a young girl and her family during the scorched earth campaign in Guatemala and a pivotal moment in the Sanctuary Movement that forced the US to change its policy and allow Guatemalans to apply for asylum. The reason I believe the book hasn't done well might be hinted at in this post from an educator on the website Picnic Basket:

"As someone living in a state with major issues regarding illegal immigration, it's easy to feel pity for Tomasa and her family but this pity is undermined by the fact that they are smuggled inside the United States. I would feel more comfortable recommending this book to my students if the family had been admitted under political asylum, for which they would be well qualified."

This educator's comments speaks to people's ideology swaying their "comfort" about books that challenge misinformation they hold. I can't imagine the disappointing sales experience for Frances Lincoln would not influence what they might consider publishing in the future…


Respectfully, Marge Pellegrino http://bbc.in/17G9Ve4

On Feb 12, 2014, at 12:45 PM, Norma Jean Sawicki wrote:

> Under no circumstances am I speaking for publishers when I say…
>
> this particular discussion has generated….
>
> an abundance of direct and indirect attacks on publishers
>
> an abundance of statements about publishers and publishers that could not be more wrong headed..wrong headed in terms of facts..for starters….executives are not in the booths at different conventions…
>
> accusations that have existed for decades and could be filed under…same ol same ol same ol
>
> statements by some writers that their books have not sold because their subject matter was centered on minorities when a check of the reviews showed the book(s) received mixed reviews or negative reviews…
>

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Received on Thu 13 Feb 2014 11:34:05 AM CST