Okay. So I know these two guys who are editing this anthology in a series of anthologies, which consist of a certain type of story. The different anthologies are collections of the certain type of story, set in different cities. So these two guys I know mention that several of their writers have backed out, and these writers were all of a certain skin color. The publisher says unless you have enough writers of this skin color, nevermind on the anthology, because this city is predominantly people of this certain skin color. A week later, I find out my friend who matches this skin color has been asked to edit one of her stories, and change it so it's set in the certain city. Which is frustrating, because I work like crazy to get published. I study writing, I write, I go to all sorts of writing classes, I submit. I have almost 20 stories out right now. And this girl gets published because of her skin color. Damnit.
Granted: her story was not bad. I read it in a workshop last year, and I enjoyed it. But it was not up to par for the professional anthology, and has to be severely edited. Had her skin been of a different shade, she would have never been asked. A few weeks ago, I heard these two guys trying to think of who they knew who writes and has the certain skin color.
And this wasn't just two random guys and a small publisher. This was two real novelists/editors/reviewers editing this anthology for a large publisher.
Anyways. Just wanted to vent. I'll get back to writing now.
Posted by aspirit (Member # 7974) on :
Wait, come back. Why does skin color of an author matter? I can understand if a certain feel or specific types of characters were desired for the anthology, but the authors' skin colors wouldn't matter unless marketers were using authors' photos or appearances as their primary means to sell the book. Is that their reasoning? Does that even work?
Posted by TheOnceandFutureMe on :
I don't know if pictures are involved.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
I'd be of a mind to tell 'em where to put their anthologies...though I suspect I would not be asked for a contribution because I probably don't come in the colors they're looking for in a writer.
If you could name it, we could avoid it when it's published...
Posted by TheOnceandFutureMe on :
Nah, I'm not naming it. This girl's story is actually pretty good, and since they're working with her, I'm sure it'll be better. I'm just frustrated that the publisher made them select stories by saying "hmmmm....who do we know that's [certain skin color]"
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
I have met similar prejudice. Frustration is the only uncensorable comment I can make on this.
Posted by aspirit (Member # 7974) on :
My question is, why are they doing that? If it's prejudice, is this the publisher's first time publishing? I'm having trouble believing a publisher benefits much from selecting writers according to skin color.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
In my business my employer has to prove he is an equal opportunity employer by hiring a certain number of minorities. Even if we are in a rural area and there aren't any. That's his hard luck, he has to import them then. Pay for their hotel bill and cut them a deal--since they're the only person of that skin color around, they can ask for what they want--usually they will demand the softest job for each day. Amounting to that they do zero work.
Perhaps the writers union forced the editors into un-equal opportunity employment as well.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Really, I'd look with a serious lack of love on the project, whichever way the color spectrum is going...