tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7659958725729780373.post4544018102858326523..comments2017-04-05T13:02:24.514+02:00Comments on Sage Noire : What Diversity? There Are Only White, White, White Books...Ava Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068020461818680229noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7659958725729780373.post-36146815440090743222015-09-25T08:54:54.708+02:002015-09-25T08:54:54.708+02:00Oh no, don't worry! It never crossed my mind, ...Oh no, don't worry! It never crossed my mind, lol. I have a story where my MC would be considered black due to her physical appearance and other character would be POC by our standard, but none of them are human, haha. They're a vampiric race.<br /><br />I actually fairly creative and original to have POC characters that aren't human. I don't know why but even when someone isn't human, authors tend to make him or her look like your regular white person. It's nice to meet someone who try something different.<br /><br />I'll definitely check your snippets! Thank you!Ava Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03068020461818680229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7659958725729780373.post-76055444464560708502015-09-24T00:29:07.152+02:002015-09-24T00:29:07.152+02:00Also, I just wanted to clarify because I realize i...Also, I just wanted to clarify because I realize it might come across as awkward. In one of my snippets, my MC mentions that she's not human. That's not because she's a POC. (I didn't want you to think I thought POC weren't human--that would be awful.) :P Liz Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15823595869843889438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7659958725729780373.post-37521802250264471962015-09-23T13:49:44.507+02:002015-09-23T13:49:44.507+02:00Well, it's more of an African-like setting, so...Well, it's more of an African-like setting, so it won't be exactly the same, but I'm trying to stay as faithful as possible, given that I don't live there any more. :P And I've actually posted several excerpts a while ago--if you want to read those, you can go to the writing tab on my blog, and you'll see them under snippets. (I hope that helps. :P) Liz Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15823595869843889438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7659958725729780373.post-78375922699611438632015-09-17T09:50:37.519+02:002015-09-17T09:50:37.519+02:00Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed my post! OM...Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed my post! OMG that's so great that you're writing a story set in Africa with POC as your main characters! Are you going to post an excerpt of it on your blog? I hope you will because I'd loooove to read it.<br /><br />Hopefully they will but I'm putting my hopes too high, lol.Ava Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03068020461818680229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7659958725729780373.post-44708604278065427872015-09-15T13:30:52.159+02:002015-09-15T13:30:52.159+02:00I love this post so much, because it's so true...I love this post so much, because it's so true. It's more than a little sad that the publishing world seems to ignore a vast majority of the population. I think, if we tallied up all the people of different skin colors, white wouldn't even be the most predominant one (although, don't quote me on that :P). That's actually why, when I started writing my current work in progress, I decided to base my fantasy novel in an African-like setting---so all the characters, main and secondary and whatnot, would be POC. It makes me rather nostalgic for Ivory Coast, to tell you the truth. <br /><br />Anyway, this is a great post. Diversity in literature is so important, because we need to make the effort to understand what other people might be going through, not just the ones in our own little circle. Hopefully the publishing industry will catch on to that. Liz Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15823595869843889438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7659958725729780373.post-40778105240868156542015-09-09T21:54:18.161+02:002015-09-09T21:54:18.161+02:00Yes, I believe authors' background does play a...Yes, I believe authors' background does play a lot in what and how they decide to write. But also, I think that publishers have a lot of powers over the writers. Therefore, if publishers don't want a diverse cast because they're afraid it won't sell, then the cast will be lily-white. And it's not as if, writers can disagree. It's hard enough to be published as it is. A few years is too short, lol. More like in a decade or two, haha. Hopefully, someday, we'll get there. Ava Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03068020461818680229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7659958725729780373.post-29024998694729358752015-09-09T21:47:08.528+02:002015-09-09T21:47:08.528+02:00Fantasy is definitely struggling in this aspect. O...Fantasy is definitely struggling in this aspect. Oh yes, I'm planning to read Sorcerer to the Crown! I'm reallye excited about this book. You're absolutly right, there is definitely still a lot of hate around. Also, I think that publishers have a lot to do with the lack of diversity. A lot of them cling to the idea that POC don't/ won't sell. Therefore, I think they prevent authors from writing about them. <br /><br />I hate whitewashing on covers too! Also, I've noticed that when the main character is a POC, they tend to not put him/her on cover. What kind of message does it send? It's ok if you're there, as long as you remain hidden?Ava Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03068020461818680229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7659958725729780373.post-9867123132806722732015-09-09T21:40:25.011+02:002015-09-09T21:40:25.011+02:00Very little, unfortunately! I have noticed that ge...Very little, unfortunately! I have noticed that generally if a POC is a main character, he's put on the cover. When he is, that usually means he's light-skinned or could pass as white. Exactly, writing about something that already exists should be much easier than making something up, shouldn't it? I'm glad you enjoyed my post! Thank you! And Thanks for commenting!Ava Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03068020461818680229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7659958725729780373.post-88925685889041934672015-09-09T21:36:38.600+02:002015-09-09T21:36:38.600+02:00I already know her but thanks anyway :) Yes, she&#...I already know her but thanks anyway :) Yes, she's an excellent writer and she isn't afraid to add diversity to her writing!Ava Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03068020461818680229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7659958725729780373.post-17039205247362808082015-09-09T10:52:57.810+02:002015-09-09T10:52:57.810+02:00I reeeeeally loved how you put ALL sides of the st...I reeeeeally loved how you put ALL sides of the story into this post! :D Like how you said maybe <i>why</i> authors are failing in multicultural casts and why it makes sense -- BUT IT'S STILL NOT OKAY! SO YAY. Yay for a balanced post. ;) I do understand that a lot of authors probably write about the world's <i>they</i> live in. So if they live in a middle-class, mostly white, sort of society (where I guess a lot of writers come from) that's what their books reflect. I think it's understandable, but you're like 100% right. WHY IS IT HARD TO MAKE A RANGE OF SKIN COLOURS IN CHARACTERS?!?! It's not! It shouldn't be!<br />But I kinda think this goes for all diversity, too. :( It's just not really there enough....I think authors are working on it though and I hope in a few years none of this will be an issue because we'll be having TONS of multicultural character casts. I hope anyway.<br />Thanks for stopping by <a href="http://www.paperfury.com" rel="nofollow">@ Paper Fury!</a>CG @ Paper Furyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14954615708675952085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7659958725729780373.post-18860557045120631332015-09-07T20:02:48.479+02:002015-09-07T20:02:48.479+02:00As a POC, I want, no NEED, diversity in my reading...As a POC, I want, no NEED, diversity in my reading. I grew up reading historical, classic lit featuring white characters. I'm fond of my classic lit, but as I grew up I started seeking more COLOR in my reading. I am glad to say that I have found it in the historical and literary genres. Now, Fantasy - not so much. I recently read Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho. Holy crap, it is great. 2 POC main characters! Not one, but two! I've seen a lot of my blogger friends who actually love that book. If you haven't read it, please do so! <br /><br />As far as diversity in books goes, I think that a lot of white authors are afraid of that rejection. Or afraid to write a hero or heroine of color, because of what their friends may think. There is a lot of hate roaming around. People who claim not to be racist/prejudice ARE in fact just that. Things have changed, sure. But, they haven't really. Publishers stick to what they think will sell - white characters. So their clients are encouraged to give them what they want. And the clients want to be known, so they stick to what they think will get them there. <br /><br />The whitewashing on covers is what angers me. I hate nothing more than to crack open a book with a white character on the cover, only to find out the MC is of color. It's truly sad, really.Lekeishahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14502657941659828462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7659958725729780373.post-6335426663261017372015-09-07T15:28:20.637+02:002015-09-07T15:28:20.637+02:00You're mention of The Summer of Mermaids and t...You're mention of The Summer of Mermaids and the main character being a POC made me realize that I didn't really know that. And then I looked at the cover again and saw how the girl on the cover is so whitewashed. Which makes me wonder how many covers actually have a person of color on them....hmmmmmmmm.....<br /><br />Anyways, I 100% agree with the lack of diversity in YA. Especially in the fantasy genre, and that is SUPER surprising seeing as it's fantasy, and the author can basically create an entirely new world with new cultures and ethnicity. But then for some reason, the characters end up staying white? Why? It makes me sad. And it REALLY doesn't hurt to just ask someone about accuracy. AND WE ARE LIVING IN THE TIME OF THE INTERNET. You literally have the all the information at your fingertips. And I'm SURE there are tons of writing websites out there dedicated for all the information that you need!!! <br /><br />Awesome post Sarah! I am really glad you brought this up!Valeriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03450385804261334137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7659958725729780373.post-69189187600231457212015-09-07T10:55:39.807+02:002015-09-07T10:55:39.807+02:00Yes to this, I wish I could see more of myself ref...Yes to this, I wish I could see more of myself reflected in the fiction I adore to read. I would recommend to you N. K. Jemisin if you haven't read her books, she writes breathtaking fantasy with strong, complex WOC. <br /><br />Aentee at <a href="thesocialpotato.maryfaye.net" rel="nofollow">The Social Potato</a>Aenteehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09742468444141610797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7659958725729780373.post-53023891972529395192015-09-07T08:57:03.934+02:002015-09-07T08:57:03.934+02:00No I had never heard of them. Thanks for the link!...No I had never heard of them. Thanks for the link! That's great that you're one of these writer who actually try to to add diversity! Exactly, you're damned if you do and damned if you don't; so why not take a risk? <br /><br />And as I said in my post, you could do some research or try to talk with people living the experience. In general, I found that people love to talk about themselves or about things there are passionate about. As long as you're polite and interested, you'll be able to get something from them. Thanks for commenting!<br /><br />AnyAva Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03068020461818680229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7659958725729780373.post-74830403871280038922015-09-07T08:49:30.059+02:002015-09-07T08:49:30.059+02:00Yes hopefully little by little there will be more ...Yes hopefully little by little there will be more brown and black folks in books:) <br /><br />That's funny that you mention Malorie Blackman, because just yesterday I came accross a review for one of her book and thought "I NEED to read this woman's books!". She's definitely an author I will check out! Thank you and thanks for commenting!Ava Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03068020461818680229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7659958725729780373.post-49484586077501245222015-09-07T08:45:52.156+02:002015-09-07T08:45:52.156+02:00You're absolutly correct. I've noticed too...You're absolutly correct. I've noticed too that strangely there is a bit more diversity in adult books. I think it might have to do with the fact that there are a lot more authors of colour whose work have been published in this genre. Cover whitewashing is so common. It's so sad because publishers and authors seriously think that having a non white person on their cover will impact their sales in a negative way. Thanks for commenting!Ava Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03068020461818680229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7659958725729780373.post-13850326028698515212015-09-06T17:00:42.893+02:002015-09-06T17:00:42.893+02:00Have you checked out the "We Need Diverse Boo...Have you checked out the "We Need Diverse Books" website? They're a group of people who want what you want: more diversity in fiction, both YA, MG, and Adult. (here's the link: http://weneeddiversebooks.org/mission-statement/)And I do believe that people are getting better, most likely because of people like you. <br /><br />As a blogger, I scream for diversity. As a writer, I quake at writing it. For my NaNo novel, I've got a mute girl, a Hispanic boy, and a girl who's ADHD just on the main cast of characters. But I go to write something, and I start second guessing. Am I playing into stereotypes unintentionally? It's just this cycle of what if what if what if. But then, I know that I'm going to offend someone no matter what I do; why not write diversity?<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by Writing on a Vintage Typewriter!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08428448522251573844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7659958725729780373.post-8187311599275870512015-09-06T07:05:53.019+02:002015-09-06T07:05:53.019+02:00I know what you mean. We need a lot more darker sk...I know what you mean. We need a lot more darker skinned people in our books, and I think we are going to work up to it. I hope we do at least. I have to say Malorie Blackman is one my favourite authors and the majority - if not all of her main characters - are black. So I think you should try some of her books because I just love them! But yes, we do need a bit of change and I can't wait for it to come along. Props to you for posting this ^^Olivia's Catastrophehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12706765857201768908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7659958725729780373.post-62116583959793304362015-09-03T06:14:57.709+02:002015-09-03T06:14:57.709+02:00I agree that we need to see more diversity in YA, ...I agree that we need to see more diversity in YA, as well as other genres. Strangely enough, I've read more adult books that are diverse than books for younger kids and I find that kind of strange. It definitely seems as though there is unequal representation, and the same goes for book covers. I've seen a few authors under heat for having a white character on the cover of their books when the character is actually a person of color. Alisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06178388552763222269noreply@blogger.com