king007 he/him Posted April 11, 2016 Author Posted April 11, 2016 (edited) Of course, I'm terribly sorry for any inconvenience it might have caused you. Edited April 11, 2016 by king007 1
kais Posted April 11, 2016 Posted April 11, 2016 Of course, I'm terribly sorry for any inconvenience it might have caused you. You are awesome. Thank you so much! It isn't inconvenience so much, as internet paranoia. Yeah, I'm one of those people. *sigh* 1
king007 he/him Posted April 11, 2016 Author Posted April 11, 2016 You are awesome. Thank you so much! It isn't inconvenience so much, as internet paranoia. Yeah, I'm one of those people. *sigh* No, you're absolutely right. I understand where you're coming from. 1
Robinski he/him Posted April 19, 2016 Posted April 19, 2016 (edited) No, but at least I know what it is now, thanks to your post! Edited April 19, 2016 by Robinski
Mandamon he/him Posted April 19, 2016 Posted April 19, 2016 Huh. Good to know what that is. I fall fairly far into the privileged white male bucket, so probably not for me. 1
kais Posted April 19, 2016 Posted April 19, 2016 We're only an hour in, but it's a lot of fun thus far!
Eisenheim Posted April 19, 2016 Posted April 19, 2016 I would, but I'm not marginalized, and seems like there's some kerfuffle over who should be pitching what.
kais Posted April 19, 2016 Posted April 19, 2016 Haven't seen any kerfuffle thus far. Links? I'm waiting for jury selection (potential juror here) so have time to kill. My tweets are getting decent attention, which is a first for me in Twitter pitches. So woohoo for marginalized writers getting a voice!
Robinski he/him Posted April 19, 2016 Posted April 19, 2016 (edited) Hmm, I took it that it was to do with looking at subjects or protagonists that highlight marginalised groups. Is it pitches from marginalised writers? That can't be it, because when you're pitching or submitting, who knows whether you are marginalised or not (as a writer). It must be the subject matter, surely? Edit: Writers' Digest says it's an event for 'marginalized authors + diverse books', however the leader seems to suggest it is just marginalised authors. What's the point in that? What does more to raise the profile of marginalised groups, a disabled author who writes the worst kind or derivative/generic nonesense or any author whose protagonist is in a wheelchair? Sorry for the extreme example, but you can see what I'm getting at, I trust, and I am genuinely interested in the views of the group. I feel like they are missing the point. On another angle, where do you stand on positive discrimination? Positively discriminate in favour of subjects and characters that challenge marginalisation, by all means, but why would the industry discriminate against authors of colour/race; disabled authors, etc. if their work makes the grade? Edited April 19, 2016 by Robinski
Robinski he/him Posted April 19, 2016 Posted April 19, 2016 So, I'm over there watching the pitches roll and a lot of them seem to have little to do with marginalised issues so, what makes an author marginalised?
kais Posted April 19, 2016 Posted April 19, 2016 (edited) From the creator of the event, she said that it is for both marginalized writers AND people who write marginalized characters. If you are a marginalized writer you are encouraged to self-identify with the hashtag 'own' or 'ownvoices'. There has been a big push recently by agents and some publishers to stock a more diverse clientele. I see this only as a good thing. I look at it as a full on Twitter pitch for the #ownvoices trend - marginalized writers writing marginalized characters from their own perspectives. RE: why would the industry discriminate against authors of colour/race; disabled authors, etc. if their work makes the grade? I don't know, but it happens all the time. I assume that agents and publishers want stuff that will sell broadly, not in niche markets. Therefore, what sells better (in theory): a book about a white cis-gendered, neuro-typical or something like: a young girl's journey with a hijab, a transsexual pirate, a black lives matter memoir? Marginalized writers have a much narrower pool to submit to (although that may be their own perception in some instances), so contests like these really let writers know which presses and agents really and truly want to connect with groups other than their own. RE: seem to have little to do with marginalised issues Most aren't using identifier hashtags (and with so few characters, who can blame them?), but many I see are from writers of color, which is awesome! Along with the idea of marginalized voices, too, is presenting worlds where these issues aren't issues, they are just par the course. RE: what makes an author marginalised? They left it open broadly to interpretation. Throughout the day I've seen a lot of body positive Tweets, which I wouldn't have thought of falling into that category, but hey, maybe there is a gap in the literature there I didn't know about. Generally I would classify this type of marginalization as anything that falls outside the white, neuro-typical, heterosexual, able-bodied, gender binary world (so, people of color, QUILTBAG, autism, handicapped, etc). Definitions will vary, clearly. I'd love to chat about this more, with anyone. I took the day off for jury duty this Twitter contest (two publishers, three agents and counting!!), so am around all day! Edited April 19, 2016 by kaisa 1
Robinski he/him Posted April 19, 2016 Posted April 19, 2016 (edited) ... (stupid phone) Edited April 19, 2016 by Robinski
Robinski he/him Posted April 19, 2016 Posted April 19, 2016 (edited) Really awesome post, Kaisa. I've been fascinated watching the pitches float past, some really great ones that I would start reading from the pitch/tag line. Edited April 19, 2016 by Robinski 1
kais Posted April 19, 2016 Posted April 19, 2016 I've been fascinated watching the pitches float past, some really great ones that I would start reading from the pitch/tag line. Have you also noticed a surprising number of Peter Pan themed pitches? I had no idea that was such a thing.
kais Posted April 20, 2016 Posted April 20, 2016 The pitch contested ended well! I got 9 requests, which is amazing!
king007 he/him Posted April 20, 2016 Author Posted April 20, 2016 Have you guys read The Princess Bride ? I just finished reading chapter 1, and it's so hilarious
aeromancer he/him Posted April 20, 2016 Posted April 20, 2016 (edited) The cult classic! I've probably read it somewhere around three times. Of course, it's not actually written by S. Morgenstern, but who actually cares? Edited April 20, 2016 by aeromancer
ecohansen Posted April 21, 2016 Posted April 21, 2016 You know, Princess Bride is one of the few times when I prefer the movie to the book (Shawshank Redemption is another one). William Goldman wrote the book and the script simultaneously iirc, and the book doesn't have much that isn't also in the movie. And the movie is just so, so good... I'm sure that this post will get me boiled alive, but yea, like unto Galileo I must speak the truth as I see it. 1
Robinski he/him Posted April 21, 2016 Posted April 21, 2016 No, not boiled alive. Deadpool is a much better movie than Charles Dickens' little-known original manuscript ;op
king007 he/him Posted April 21, 2016 Author Posted April 21, 2016 Well I plan to watch the movie after I read the book. I think that will be more enjoyable ^^
kais Posted April 22, 2016 Posted April 22, 2016 In case you've not heard, a heads up that FicFest submissions happen on April 24th. If you've got a sub-worthy manuscript, give it a go! (hyperlink provided)
Eisenheim Posted April 22, 2016 Posted April 22, 2016 thanks for the heads up on that. I had never heard of it, but I think I will throw my hat in the ring.
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