For those of you that haven't heard yet, Seanan McGuire and four or five other authors have pulled their stories from the Wicked Pretty Things anthology. Please read her post and related links for the whole story.
Here's my take (short version):
Jessica Verday wrote a G rated horror story with elements of romance which was accepted into the anthology. After being accepted, the editor said "Oh, it's a boy/boy love story. Can you change one of the boys into a girl? Our publisher won't like boy/boy stories."
Author said, "No, I won't change. Please don't publish my story."
Publisher said, "No, we have no problem with LGBT stories! It's the editor that does! And we aren't associated with her, but we stand behind her, and we love LGBT stories. Please publish your story with us."
Author said, "No, why would I want the editor to get money from my story when she's homophobic?"
Editor said, "I'm not homophobic! Look here's a video of me wrestling a gay man!"
(Actually, she didn't say she wasn't homophobic. She just offered up a video of her wrestling a gay man, as though that showed she wasn't homophobic. Seriously. To which I say, "WTF?")
Other authors pulled their stories in support, and now there is a boycott from some authors of this editor.
Wow.
ReplyDeleteI actually think it's awesome that people are standing up for something like that. Seriously?
Boycotts can be amazing things...
Thanks for sharing that.
I know, I still can't get over the whole thing. What was the editor thinking? At least apologize, instead of offering up a wrestling video :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting.
Have you read the follow-up from the publisher on this story? I read it this morning but closed the link so I can't send it to you here...
ReplyDeleteIs it the one where he was talking about how important it was to let your employees (in this case the editor) know what you're guidelines were? If so, then it's actually old (and in my synopsis covered under the part where they say, "We don't have a problem with that...please publish with us."
ReplyDeleteThe reason the writer still refused to publish with them (which they didn't say, but she did) was that because the editor would still be making money off of her work. She doesn't want to work with that editor, and even given what happened, the publisher has refused to remove the editor from this project or others that they are working on.
Dang. Your not you're. I hate when that happens.
ReplyDelete