I can't say if publishers are stupid because I got tired of waiting for them to discover my amazing genius and began self publishing my own books. I think this is the way to go, especially if you love writing stories and just want to get your stuff out there for people to read (and you have a good 'Book Doctor' of course 😊) . Love watching you guys.
The AD controversy in a nutshell: Writers of Color: "Can you please stop talking out of your ass about us?" White Writers: "How dare you tell me to shut up! To never say anything about you ever again!" WoC: "That's not what-" WW: "Fine! I'll just writer about fellow white people. THEY don't attack me like this!" Thank you for touching on it.
Just because someone writes a story that May or may not be true if they can't tell a great story no one is going to read it. I don't care what big 4 or 3 publishing company you put behind it. Maybe that's why there are no longer 5 of them.
American Dirt POSITIVE Reviews ruclips.net/video/8pkT4ZEguHE/видео.html “American Dirt” is a book that will change thinking. If you can read this story and not be moved, not be changed - I seriously wonder if you’re alive; it’s that effecting. The author has some skin in this game thru her grandmother’s immigration experiences. She’s done exhaustive research and produced a remarkable volume. This is a once in a decade kind of book. Don’t miss it
I'm happy you brought up American Dirt. I bought it then heard afterward there was controversy going on. Haven't read it yet. I'll let you know what I think. And David, I did read your article! Your writing is extraordinary. You don't just write, you speak directly to the reader. 💖 xo
I am beyond thrilled that you guys took on these horrible stories. They're both beyond belief, but was there NO ONE at B&N who voiced a contrary opinion to the black covers promo? Nobody? (Maybe there was and they were shot down?) The first time I saw the promo I couldn't believe it--even before the controversy erupted. This in 2020?? Incredible.
The author, Jeanine Cummins, is from Gaithersburg, Md. The mayor of Gaithersburg has promoted the book to Gaithersburg's 70,000-plus residents for a city-wide reading festival.
@arielle eckstut We've just finished our cookbook, The Native Mexican Kitchen (out in July with Skyhorse, but you can preorder now on our crowdfunding campaign www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-native-mexican-kitchen which we have to do to have funds for publicity b/c the tiny advance - $2k). We had 2 major publishers interested in picking up the book, but they didn't because we didn't have 100k followers, etc. We were happy that Skyhorse changed almost nothing of the text, but we had to fight like hell on a number of points: mainly the cover. Ex: Pozole isn't a recognizable food, so they didn't want it on the cover. And not corn or indigenous ingredients, because...? We were given reasoning that went in circles and no real justification as to why. For the 3 months we were arguing about the cover, most of their design suggestions seemed oriented towards middle-class white people book shopping at Target (they initially wanted tacos on the cover). At one point I really felt they were white-washing this book. The cover we have isn't what I wanted, but it's leagues above their initial suggestions. I am white, my husband is native Mexican, our daughter was born in Mexico, and we live and have our restaurant in Mexico. I've traveled with him to many native ceremonies, markets, and we work with mezcaleros, so I'm not as much of an outsider as this author, but I'm also not native. I explain that the stories I wrote (my husband did the recipes - he's a phenomenal verbal story-teller, but not a writer. Many of his stories are quoted in the book) are my vision of his world. I have learned so much from them, and work on a daily basis to incorporate that into my own way of living. Our agent believed in us and what we do. Our editor at Skyhorse as well. But the rest of the team (sales, marketing, design...) felt extremely...white-minded. Which would have been easier to swallow if we'd had even a 5-figure advance (a BILLION DOLLARS?? Unreal). Instead it felt like we had to work like dogs AND cheapen ourselves for...what? The honor of having a publisher? We've put 3 years of our lives into this book, and $15,000 of our own money. I feel like this book deserves far more attention-not even for my writing or the recipes, but because the whole goal of the book is to share the wisdom of the many native communities of Mexico, who are never given a voice. Especially in Mexico.
I love you so much. Greetings from the Motown Detroit. I love being a Detroiter!! I have written couple praises about Detroit a city struggling who gave mobility to the nation both in the Motown music and Autiindustry. A city that produced Michael Jackson , and many other legends. Detroit is coming back from the ashes. I have been rejected several times. I originally come from Rwanda and i am a Genocide Survivor. You cannot imagine how many " white people" are now expert in the Rwandan Genocide...Well we need more books lovers like you to speak up for non white writers. I am now working on my craft on my memoir " Beyond Perils . Surviving the Rwandan Genocide". i took a fifferent route, I am going to launch a blog named " Panafricanism Beyond Perils" to build my platform. With well crafted story ( content a.ka. King) and a platform aka the queen) I am certain one of you will represent me . Who knows? It will be much fun
Wow. I'm disappointed over the fact that they judge this writer because they are white. A writer should be paid by their ability to tell a story not by the color of their skin or their birthplace. That is what is wrong with the publishing industry right now. If your WHITE don't knock on our door. We don't care if you call tell a better story than anyone who is any other color. Sometimes it takes the love of something to want to make a change for someone else even if they are white. That is what's wrong with America today. Did not Martin Luther King say don't judge me by the color of my skin....SHAMEFUL.
Hi loves....My book Foolsgold, about making a collage box a day for a year, was published (years ago) without ONE illustration of my 365 collage boxes! Sigh xoxooxox
Hi, I am making editing a podcast episode together about the controversy of American Dirt, do you mind if I grab a clip from this video for a sound collage I am making?
Like most, this you tube from Book Doctors is interesting. Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry well done! Well, at least I am a Jewish person and a refugee from a communist country writing about Jewish people and refugees from a communist country. But whoops, I also have several Afro- Caribbean characters -am I guilty? No, most of the information I got before writing it was from an Afro- Caribbean friend and his mother. Maybe I should not have? Nope, I wanted to. And I don't think it is cultural misappropriation, as it is written from a white POW. What do you think? Anyway who knows if my book will find a publisher. If not, it was fun to write. I liked this video.
I think you are a highly empathic person who is truly interested in the stories of others. These qualities will guide your writing. There's nothing wrong with writing outside your experience as long as you do so with sensitivity.
@@aeckstut I agree with your last point about being sensitive to experiences outside your own, but for that reason I respectfully disagree with your assessment on the novel. I would like to start with a disclaimer, I have yet to read the novel, but I will be starting tomorrow. From briefly flipping through, I noticed that Cummins wrote a note to the reader in which she disclosed her lack of personal experience with the subject matter. Additionally, I believe she did some research into the experiences of immigrants so she would have a basis for her story. For those reasons, I believe she took care to write the novel with sensitivity. A book that was written without regard for the experiences of its subject matter is the Help, which was based on Kathryn Stockett's vision of how her childhood nanny grew up. I think the problem Cummins' novel highlighted was the fact that the publishing industry disproportionally rewards authors writing the same stories based on race. Like I said, I have yet to read Cummins' book, but for all I know, it would be great and her storytelling might deserve recognition. That does not mean Latinx writers do not deserve better treatment from publishers. It just means that Cummins should not get blamed for a problem she didn't create or for trying to educate people about immigration. No matter what, her portrayal would never have been perfect, but I think focusing on her instead of finding ways to uplift Latinx writers is the wrong way to approach this issue. Thank you for making it all the way to the end. I enjoyed your video and I would love to hear your thoughts on my opinion..
Can the term “mommy porn” be canceled already? If you want to knock 50 (which I do), call it out for fanfic or the harm it’s done in its portrayal of “BDSM” in the kink community. Why is writing about kink ok if the author isn’t in the community? Seems like a double standard... Would it be to much to ask if the outrage over a book was directed toward the publisher in the Twitterverse, rather than the author.
David, who has written extensively about sex and sex work, uses the words "mommy porn" with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek. Apologies if that didn't come off. The book is horrible. But the point is that it was published by a publisher who understood the fanfic audience. Also, and I hope the video made this clear, our ire IS reserved for the publisher and publishing house. We all, fortunately, have the freedom to write whatever we want. It's the publisher who placed the value, the resources, etc. that made it possible for this book to get out into the world in such a big way.
What do you think? Do you have other examples of how publishers are stupid?
Not sure about publishers, but I do know life is not fair. Never will be. 💖 xo
I can't say if publishers are stupid because I got tired of waiting for them to discover my amazing genius and began self publishing my own books. I think this is the way to go, especially if you love writing stories and just want to get your stuff out there for people to read (and you have a good 'Book Doctor' of course 😊) . Love watching you guys.
@@allymonte7295 That's what we tell our 12-year-old every day!
@@wadejohnson5842 Love it!!!
@@aeckstut just started reading American Dirt. I'll get back to you! 💖
The AD controversy in a nutshell:
Writers of Color: "Can you please stop talking out of your ass about us?"
White Writers: "How dare you tell me to shut up! To never say anything about you ever again!"
WoC: "That's not what-"
WW: "Fine! I'll just writer about fellow white people. THEY don't attack me like this!"
Thank you for touching on it.
So true!
Voices of every kind of person should to be heard. I believe what needs to matter most is telling a good story.
Agreed.
Just because someone writes a story that May or may not be true if they can't tell a great story no one is going to read it. I don't care what big 4 or 3 publishing company you put behind it. Maybe that's why there are no longer 5 of them.
American Dirt POSITIVE Reviews
ruclips.net/video/8pkT4ZEguHE/видео.html
“American Dirt” is a book that will change thinking. If you can read this story and not be moved, not be changed - I seriously wonder if you’re alive; it’s that effecting. The author has some skin in this game thru her grandmother’s immigration experiences. She’s done exhaustive research and produced a remarkable volume.
This is a once in a decade kind of book. Don’t miss it
I'm happy you brought up American Dirt. I bought it then heard afterward there was controversy going on. Haven't read it yet. I'll let you know what I think. And David, I did read your article! Your writing is extraordinary. You don't just write, you speak directly to the reader. 💖 xo
That's so sweet, Ally! Thank you. And do let us know what you think of the book.
@@aeckstut I certainly will. 💖 xo
What did you think of the book?
I am beyond thrilled that you guys took on these horrible stories. They're both beyond belief, but was there NO ONE at B&N who voiced a contrary opinion to the black covers promo? Nobody? (Maybe there was and they were shot down?) The first time I saw the promo I couldn't believe it--even before the controversy erupted. This in 2020?? Incredible.
Thank you!
The author, Jeanine Cummins, is from Gaithersburg, Md. The mayor of Gaithersburg has promoted the book to Gaithersburg's 70,000-plus residents for a city-wide reading festival.
Wow! Another big break!
Yea and officials of MOCO(Montgomery County) have argued against this book and her speaking at the schools.
@@mixedrogue8006 interesting.
@@mixedrogue8006 Wow. I'll have to see how this is unfolding.
@arielle eckstut We've just finished our cookbook, The Native Mexican Kitchen (out in July with Skyhorse, but you can preorder now on our crowdfunding campaign www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-native-mexican-kitchen
which we have to do to have funds for publicity b/c the tiny advance - $2k).
We had 2 major publishers interested in picking up the book, but they didn't because we didn't have 100k followers, etc. We were happy that Skyhorse changed almost nothing of the text, but we had to fight like hell on a number of points: mainly the cover. Ex: Pozole isn't a recognizable food, so they didn't want it on the cover. And not corn or indigenous ingredients, because...? We were given reasoning that went in circles and no real justification as to why. For the 3 months we were arguing about the cover, most of their design suggestions seemed oriented towards middle-class white people book shopping at Target (they initially wanted tacos on the cover). At one point I really felt they were white-washing this book. The cover we have isn't what I wanted, but it's leagues above their initial suggestions.
I am white, my husband is native Mexican, our daughter was born in Mexico, and we live and have our restaurant in Mexico. I've traveled with him to many native ceremonies, markets, and we work with mezcaleros, so I'm not as much of an outsider as this author, but I'm also not native. I explain that the stories I wrote (my husband did the recipes - he's a phenomenal verbal story-teller, but not a writer. Many of his stories are quoted in the book) are my vision of his world. I have learned so much from them, and work on a daily basis to incorporate that into my own way of living. Our agent believed in us and what we do. Our editor at Skyhorse as well. But the rest of the team (sales, marketing, design...) felt extremely...white-minded. Which would have been easier to swallow if we'd had even a 5-figure advance (a BILLION DOLLARS?? Unreal). Instead it felt like we had to work like dogs AND cheapen ourselves for...what? The honor of having a publisher?
We've put 3 years of our lives into this book, and $15,000 of our own money. I feel like this book deserves far more attention-not even for my writing or the recipes, but because the whole goal of the book is to share the wisdom of the many native communities of Mexico, who are never given a voice. Especially in Mexico.
The book looks AMAZING!!!
I love you so much. Greetings from the Motown Detroit. I love being a Detroiter!! I have written couple praises about Detroit a city struggling who gave mobility to the nation both in the Motown music and Autiindustry. A city that produced Michael Jackson , and many other legends. Detroit is coming back from the ashes.
I have been rejected several times. I originally come from Rwanda and i am a Genocide Survivor. You cannot imagine how many " white people" are now expert in the Rwandan Genocide...Well we need more books lovers like you to speak up for non white writers. I am now working on my craft on my memoir " Beyond Perils . Surviving the Rwandan Genocide". i took a fifferent route, I am going to launch a blog named " Panafricanism Beyond Perils" to build my platform. With well crafted story ( content a.ka. King) and a platform aka the queen) I am certain one of you will represent me . Who knows? It will be much fun
We heart Detroit!
Wow. I'm disappointed over the fact that they judge this writer because they are white. A writer should be paid by their ability to tell a story not by the color of their skin or their birthplace. That is what is wrong with the publishing industry right now. If your WHITE don't knock on our door. We don't care if you call tell a better story than anyone who is any other color.
Sometimes it takes the love of something to want to make a change for someone else even if they are white. That is what's wrong with America today. Did not Martin Luther King say don't judge me by the color of my skin....SHAMEFUL.
Hi loves....My book Foolsgold, about making a collage box a day for a year, was published (years ago) without ONE illustration of my 365 collage boxes! Sigh xoxooxox
ridiculous!
Hi, I am making editing a podcast episode together about the controversy of American Dirt, do you mind if I grab a clip from this video for a sound collage I am making?
Can you tell us what your video is about?
@@aeckstut Yes, I just found your contact page so I will send you an email. Thanks for the reply.
@@mattstruck6480 great thx
Like most, this you tube from Book Doctors is interesting. Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry well done! Well, at least I am a Jewish person and a refugee from a communist country writing about Jewish people and refugees from a communist country. But whoops, I also have several Afro- Caribbean characters -am I guilty? No, most of the information I got before writing it was from an Afro- Caribbean friend and his mother. Maybe I should not have? Nope, I wanted to. And I don't think it is cultural misappropriation, as it is written from a white POW. What do you think? Anyway who knows if my book will find a publisher. If not, it was fun to write. I liked this video.
I think you are a highly empathic person who is truly interested in the stories of others. These qualities will guide your writing. There's nothing wrong with writing outside your experience as long as you do so with sensitivity.
@@aeckstut I agree with your last point about being sensitive to experiences outside your own, but for that reason I respectfully disagree with your assessment on the novel. I would like to start with a disclaimer, I have yet to read the novel, but I will be starting tomorrow. From briefly flipping through, I noticed that Cummins wrote a note to the reader in which she disclosed her lack of personal experience with the subject matter. Additionally, I believe she did some research into the experiences of immigrants so she would have a basis for her story. For those reasons, I believe she took care to write the novel with sensitivity.
A book that was written without regard for the experiences of its subject matter is the Help, which was based on Kathryn Stockett's vision of how her childhood nanny grew up. I think the problem Cummins' novel highlighted was the fact that the publishing industry disproportionally rewards authors writing the same stories based on race. Like I said, I have yet to read Cummins' book, but for all I know, it would be great and her storytelling might deserve recognition. That does not mean Latinx writers do not deserve better treatment from publishers. It just means that Cummins should not get blamed for a problem she didn't create or for trying to educate people about immigration. No matter what, her portrayal would never have been perfect, but I think focusing on her instead of finding ways to uplift Latinx writers is the wrong way to approach this issue.
Thank you for making it all the way to the end. I enjoyed your video and I would love to hear your thoughts on my opinion..
Thank u for this :)
Thank you for watching!
Can the term “mommy porn” be canceled already? If you want to knock 50 (which I do), call it out for fanfic or the harm it’s done in its portrayal of “BDSM” in the kink community. Why is writing about kink ok if the author isn’t in the community? Seems like a double standard...
Would it be to much to ask if the outrage over a book was directed toward the publisher in the Twitterverse, rather than the author.
I agree Ryan A
David, who has written extensively about sex and sex work, uses the words "mommy porn" with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek. Apologies if that didn't come off. The book is horrible. But the point is that it was published by a publisher who understood the fanfic audience. Also, and I hope the video made this clear, our ire IS reserved for the publisher and publishing house. We all, fortunately, have the freedom to write whatever we want. It's the publisher who placed the value, the resources, etc. that made it possible for this book to get out into the world in such a big way.
This is the first time I'm watching your video and I get the feeling that you're from nyc😊
I take that as a major compliment!
Thank you! 🙏🏻
Thanks for watching!
i will follow you only for the guy hair . it's so beautiful
:)