Why I'm me, and not someone else...

[lagilman]

Fascinating, and rather depressing conversation happening on Twitter right now about the Great Mostly White Male "most anticipated fantasy books of 2015" lists dropping now. (the females seen on these lists? Robin Hobb and Kameron Hurley. Both potentially gender-neutral names, and Kameron says she specifically requested that they not put an author photo on the book cover).

I admit - I considered going with a male pseudonym for SILVER ON THE ROAD. I'm pretty damn sure that if I had, the book would be getting more attention, pre-pub, because the brutal truth is that male-name writers get more ink, especially but not exclusively from male reviewers. Especially if the books in question are epic (non-romantic) fantasies.  In terms of sales alone, choosing to publish under a female name is established idiocy.

And yet... this is my book. The thought of having to hide behind another name, of not being able to talk publicly about the book except through the scrim of that name, or a stand-in... to buy into the "only men write epic fantasy worth talking about" game...

Fuck that.

Hi, my name is Laura Anne Gilman, and I write some damn good epic fantasy.  And yeah, I'm female.  If that makes you shy away from a book, then you're the idiot, not me.



/vent

Comments

[klingonguy.livejournal.com]

Having heard a teeny portion of this book last January, I'm waiting for it to come out so I can trumpet it across social media.

But then, I have never understood what the sex (or sexual orientation, or sexual expression) of an author has to do with why someone would choose to read the work.

[lagilman]

<3

My rant is mainly aimed at reviewers and list-makers, not readers as such. I think we as an industry often don't give readers-as-a-group enough credit....

[martianmooncrab.livejournal.com]

I write some damn good epic fantasy

yes you do, and I buy your books with my girl cootie infested money...

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

More power to you!

Hi, I'm Deborah and I write amazing stories.

I rather like the sound of that.

[bonnie-rocks.livejournal.com]

Hi, I'm Bonnie, and I approve this message!

I make it a point when people are looking for books to read to suggest female authors. I've thankfully never come across someone who said, "ew no! I'm not going to read a book by a female author!" when I've suggested them, so at least my friends aren't idiots in that regard.

~*::Meow::*~

[madrobins]

We're glad you're you, too.

[madrobins]

like like like like like

[lagilman]

Well, I was specifically referring to reviewers, bloggers and list-makers, not civilian-readers-as-a-group, but yes, that is good to know. :-)

[6-penny.livejournal.com]

Back in the days when I clerked in a new/used bookstore, I had one (older male) customer who vehemently insisted that he would never never never read a book written by a woman. I spent some time hunting out books by gender neutral authors names - without pictures that I never told him were absolutely covered in girl cooties.
I should do penance for that malice I know.

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

I like it.

All of the isms in places like publishing and show business are proof that the Status Quo is slow to go. I think we would have long since gotten past the issue if the hierarchy of who gets to green light a book deal or a film script were more diverse.

Great to stand up for your good name... millions of women writers of future generations applaud you!

[joycemocha.livejournal.com]

Totally agree with you. It's annoying as hell, though, and I for one am going out of my way to read work by women in preference to reading work by men.

And there's no freaking way I'm going under an ambiguous pseudonym. None at all.

[jesskastar.livejournal.com]

*applauds* Well said! Very glad you are you.

[cmrejo.livejournal.com]

(http://lelucoon.net/women?anketa=2223) Корабль моих желаний ищет уютную гавань, которая освещается светом твоих прекрасных глаз и теплом любящего сердца! В повседневной суете я упрямо ищу сигнал твоего маяка, чтобы, подняв Алые паруса своей любви, приплыть к тебе навсегда! Читать далее (http://lelucoon.net/women?anketa=2223)

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

Applauds.