Sensitivity Readers Are the New Literary Gatekeepers

Reason ^ | September 1, 2020 | Kat Rosenfeld

[C19fan]

Alberto Gullaba Jr. was the type of author that publishers dream of having in their catalogs. A first-generation college grad, a child of working-class immigrants, and the recent recipient of a Master of Fine Arts degree from the prestigious University of California, Irvine, program, Gullaba was a debut novelist with a gift for visceral and vivid prose. His first book, University Thugs, had all the makings of a smash hit. A work of character-driven literary fiction steeped in immersive vernacular, it tells the story of a young black man named Titus who is trying to make his way at an elite university in the wake of a criminal conviction—all while the school is being rocked by racial scandals, not unlike the racial reckoning that consumed so many American institutions in the summer of 2020.

[C19fan]

I am only enough to remember people loved yo say how bad the Victorians were people many women writers felt compelled to use male pen names to be taken seriously. The most famous example is the Bronte sisters who cane up with pen names based on the first letter of their Christian name and the last name of their father's curate. That all changed during the 2nd half of the 19th century when the use of pen names for women authors became a matter of choice not necessity. Part of the reason Mary Ann Evans wrote under George Eliot was to preserve her privacy as she was living in sin with a married man. Looks like this practice will be a necessity for writers wanting to publish on topics outside their race. When the Bronte sisters was blown the end result the sisters, especially Charlotte, were not shunned but became literary stars. But today if your cover is blown your career as a writer is over.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Bigoted “fact-checkers” by another name.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

…not unlike the racial reckoning that consumed so many American institutions in the summer of 2020.

Oh, spare me. Every single racial incident was a hoax except for Oberlin College.

[Sequoyah101]

Yes, spare me. Any opinion piece is just that, opinion, including this one of mine I suppose.

However, we have somehow come to the point where anything anyone posts can become fact or trend setting without qualification. The authors are so bold they have no reservations if they are taken as thought leaders without merit.

Not everything you hear or read is of any substance or credibility. In fact, most of it is not.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Like the hammer attack on Pelosi was by a MAGA violent right wing white extremist. That’s all we are going to hear, evidence be damned.

[Sequoyah101]

I wonder how such an empty-headed set of generations be so serious about things so silly?

It is a book, a novel, it is not serious to anybody but the author, and that may be in doubt, or some equal minded crusader. It is presented for controversy and not as either gospel or guide. At least that is the way it should be.

One may relate to Shakespeare or another author but he is only significant and shaping if the majority of readers relate for some reason. He passes muster in the court of public opinion and a niche consultant does not make that happen.

Oh well, I am a FOG, I am no longer relevant myself and thrive more on being left alone.

[Sequoyah101]

Of course, sort of. That theme alone is not confusing enough to make the facts that will leak out irrelevant or suspect.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

I doubt that many people will hear the facts that leak out. And if they do hear about them, they will dismiss them as right-wing disinformation…and use that as proof the government must have a Disinformation Board.

[mewzilla]

Thank God for backlists.

[Salgak]

. . .or Indie Publishing on Kindle and similar platforms...

[GingisK]

“Peter Rabbit Tank Killer” might cause numerous heart attacks.

[Scarlett156]

Mr K (not the one on this forum) has put forth the theory that this was a Harry-Reiding of the P3losis. Nan’s too old for this kind of handling and they don’t dare lose her. Therefore “Where’s Nancy??!!!” and a setup. Paul kinda walked into it.

Don’t discount this theory until you think it over for a few seconds.

[Scarlett156]

And the moral of the story is, never go to a publisher for anything more than directions to the nearest cafe. Or bar.

[Scarlett156]

Me, opening the door of a publisher’s office and stepping into the lobby: Hey, y’all!

Receptionist: *becoming wrathful* I’m calling the police RIGHT -

Me: Isn’t there a bar on this block called “McGillicuddy’s”...?

Receptionist: Ah....I guess there’s a misprint on the “Places in Baltimore” map. That’s this same number, but on Burgon Street.

*two armed guards step into the room*

Me: Thanks, sister! *looking at guards* I’m leaving now! *waves*

[TigerHawk]

The inevitable evolution of LIBTARD THINK...in a pretty much LIBTARD INDUSTRY. LIBTARDS are the bane of REASON, and the USA!

[TigerHawk]

“Not everything you hear or read is of any substance or credibility. In fact, most of it is not.”

Don’t believe anything you hear and only half of what you see. Ancient and reliable wisdom.