The 2012 VIDA count has been out for more than a month now, and now Strange Horizons has released their 2012 count for science fiction and fantasy. The numbers do not look good, kids. More here.
I’ll be helping with CWILA’s 2012 count this year. I’ve just received my instructions. I’ll keep you posted as to when the data’s been published.
These list and counts are important to help address where and how women are being reviewed. Women publish at least half the books, and buy more than half of them, yet women are chronically under represented in critical media. These counts provide quantifiable proof of this, and help raise questions as to why this is happening, and what can be done to correct it.
Women are being erased from Wikipedia’s lists of prominent novelists and relegated to separate lists, instead of American Novelists, they have recently been moved to American Women Novelists. Only men, it seems, have no need for qualifiers – they are representative of their entire country, no matter how minor the writer, whereas women are being marginalized as “special interest.”
On the rare occasion when women are reviewed, celebrated, and interviewed, they are frequently asked objectifying and invasive questions – questions that would never be asked of men. It’s even worse in the film and music industries, as I’ve linked before and undoubtedly will again.
The Totally Hip Book Review looks at “women’s fiction” – a vicious satire. I’m not sure whether these tears are from laughter or despair. This is the reality we live in.
Ever onward, deep in linkage:
- Wonder what the Tardis library looks like? Here are a few photos.
- Kim Gordon is amazing.
- Paperbacks continue to be relevant.
- Have too many books? Try throwing a book swap party. (Don’t read this one, Drew. This is for other people.)
- Check out England’s newest superhero: Englishman. No, seriously.
- Sheila Heti’s lost zine restored.
- Poets aren’t actually scary people.
- Cris Beam on writing a YA novel about a transgender boy.
- Grimes doesn’t want to compromise her morals to make a living. Great manifesto.
- The Dalai Lama would be pleased if his successor was a woman.
- Awesome piece about being a black male feminist.
- More sexist journalism, and a strong counter. The Twitterati see right through this shit.
I heart Twitter.
Those of who who are bookish and on Twitter probably already participate in the hashtag #fridayreads, sharing what you’re reading with your adoring public, but how do you arrive at these selections? Check out Bookgaga for info on #thursdayreviews. A idea whose time has come.
Also, check out WaterstonesOxfordSt’s (@WstonesOxfordSt) BOOK FACTS. Pure gold. Follow them for more.