Jackie ([info]fabulousfrock) wrote,
2010-01-18 01:02:00
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Magic Under Glass cover

I just got back from a long weekend at a writing conference to learn about the cover controversy for Magic Under Glass. I have received several messages now asking me to talk about the issue, and I want to, but I am completely exhausted, between the conference (which was marked by a distinct lack of sleep) and my launch party on Tuesday, and this deserves a thoughtful reply. So please do bear with me!

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  • 29 comments

[info]bookshop

January 18 2010, 06:09:12 UTC 2 years ago


Oh goodness, i just want to say, since it was my post that i think has kicked everything off, that i am in no way urging people not to buy your book, I am just sort of hand-wringing because I don't want anyone to punish you, the author! But I also really think it's important to talk about it! And tell Bloomsbury, not okay! Also, I LOVE MY BOOKPLATE, THANK YOU ♥

Anonymous

January 21 2010, 05:25:58 UTC 2 years ago

Perhaps you should have thought things through more before telling others to boycott Bloomsbury because like others have stated, the repercussions of your declaration have harmed the author far more than it could have hurt Bloomsbury, because Bloomsbury only slapped an evidently thoughtless and infuriating cover onto the book, but what truly matters is the content of said book, and it is the content and thus the author that is truly harmed through "boycotting Bloomsbury".

[info]wldhrsjen3

January 18 2010, 07:04:58 UTC 2 years ago

I don't mean to derail any more serious conversation, but I wanted to tell you that I just finished reading your book like fifteen minutes ago and I *loved* it. I couldn't put it down. It was absolutely, achingly, incredibly beautiful.

Also, I love the bookplate you sent me! Thank you so, so much.

[info]kimberleylittle

January 18 2010, 13:50:11 UTC 2 years ago

Good luck with the debate, Jackie. Not a fun thing to come home to. THANK YOU SO MUCH for the book plate - I love it! And your book! :-)

[info]lillpluta

January 18 2010, 15:12:09 UTC 2 years ago

I'm sorry you have to come home to controversy and deal with all this with your debut book. Am awaiting your response.

Anonymous

January 18 2010, 15:21:33 UTC 2 years ago

Loved the book

I personally don't know what nationality the woman on the cover is. I enjoyed your writing of the book. I feel terrible that people are actually willing NOT to buy the book based on the cover and a possible mistake made by the publisher.. Might as well be book burning. It's ridiculous. I personally am sick of reading blogs using the term "whitewashing". It's a derogatory term to describe a racist action. To me the people using the term "whitewashing" are no better themselves. That is unless they are referring to painting furniture.

I wish you a bright future in the book world. Your are a marvelous writer.

[info]inthewritemind.wordpress.com

January 18 2010, 15:38:30 UTC 2 years ago

There's a controversy? I saw nothing wrong with it...if it's because of the nationality, I don't get it. From how you described Nim in the book and the country she's from, it sounded like a country similar to one in the Middle East or even India, so I pictured her as Middle Eastern or Indian ethnicity. But honestly, it's not something that affects the story--it was simply too amazing for me to get hung up on what race she is.

Anyway, I do hope you are writing more books about Nim and Erris; this was one of the best I've read in a long time. :)

[info]lillpluta

January 18 2010, 16:31:31 UTC 2 years ago

The girl on your cover is not all that light .. it's not as if they put some pale blonde Nordic type on it. I haven't read your book yet, but have read the excerpts on the web. My husband is of Eastern European descent .. and he has black hair and olive skin and deep brown eyes. He lightens up considerably in winter .. but in summer he is very dark. But errr .. he's still "white."

I personally think too much is being made of this cover, and I'm sorry all of this is happening to your debut book. Not buying the book because of the cover would not be hurting Bloomsbury, as much as it would be hurting you, a debut author, who did write about a darker skinned character. Any type of boycott seems like throwing out the baby with the bath water to me.

[info]robinellen

January 18 2010, 17:21:21 UTC 2 years ago

Urgh! I noticed right off that the girl on the cover had no Asian or Middle Eastern features -- but the story is still wonderful! And the majority of the cover is her posture and the mood, which fits the story perfectly. :( I'm sorry this is happening -- your book is so wonderful...*is frustrated*

[info]cedarheart

January 18 2010, 17:45:42 UTC 2 years ago Edited:  January 18 2010, 17:59:02 UTC

Please try not to take any of this to heart, I have started reading your book this week and it's so, so lovely and I am enjoying it very much! You are a wonderful writer and that's all that matters. I was surprised by the description of the character as compared to the image on the book cover, but I know that the author often has little power over what happens with that. I would think that much of the time the illustration is made without the illustrator even reading the book. Regardless, I hope this doesn't harm your sales, that would be horribly cruel and unfair, you are not at fault here.

edited for more blather on my part

[info]blythe_woolston

January 18 2010, 18:50:02 UTC 2 years ago

Don't feel obligated to take a stand or wade into this mess. You are not at fault. From what I've read, the ire seems directed at Bloomsbury--partly because of the Liar cover fiasco. Just take care and know that readers are responding very positively to your writing, no matter what.

[info]sheela_chari

2 years ago

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Anonymous

January 18 2010, 19:53:07 UTC 2 years ago

I was lucky enough to get a preview copy, and I loved the book. The UK cover is quite different (I'm in England), but I like them both. I think they both capture the essence of the book, each focusing on a different part. I didn't know there was controversy either. You've got a great book, and I hope people learn that too. (I really want a sequel).

[info]melly_gloworm

January 18 2010, 21:48:52 UTC 2 years ago

Hey Jackie, just a heads up that your cover "controversy" is on Jezebel:

http://jezebel.com/5451058/magic-under-glass-the-white+washing-of-young-adult-fiction-continues?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+jezebel%2Ffull+%28Jezebel%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

I'm bummed that your debut book has this negativity attached to it but on the flip side it's also giving you some serious exposure!

I can't wait to track down my own copy and see the amazing work that no doubt lies within :)

[info]sarahtales

January 18 2010, 22:27:14 UTC 2 years ago

I'm so sorry that you've been plunged into the middle of this mess, especially as we hapless authors know, we have little control over covers! And yet they affect our careers so enormously.

I am buying the book as soon as it's on shelves over here.

[info]pamm

January 19 2010, 00:22:00 UTC 2 years ago Edited:  January 19 2010, 00:22:24 UTC

I was dismayed after I'd read your book that your heroine was tanned skin with a white-girl cover, BUT it is NOT your fault. It is the publisher's will that always goes to print. Sometimes we are not consulted at all on what's printed (which I think needs to change and should be put into our contracts that we need to approve of the cover.)

This does not bode well for Bloomsbury, BUT I will promote your book because I was enamored by it. You're awesome!!!!

[info]pixiechick_sw

January 19 2010, 01:48:15 UTC 2 years ago

I just heard. Good luck! Hugs!

[info]olugbemisola

January 19 2010, 02:53:24 UTC 2 years ago

Do whatever feels right to you, whenever it does! Blythe is right, and I thought the open letter at Reading In Color was great, and definitely directed at the industry, not you or your work at all, which was important.

[info]rebecca191

January 19 2010, 03:17:08 UTC 2 years ago

Sorry you are caught up in this mess! I loved your book, you are very talented, and none of this is your fault! Your book is wonderful and I hope readers can give it a chance.

[info]blackteensread2.blogspot.com

January 19 2010, 04:11:44 UTC 2 years ago

I think it is understood by all that the cover is in NO WAY your fault. It's Bloomsbury's fault. I don't think this will hurt your book, I think it gives it attention and I, personallyy, now what to read the book since I know it's about a person of color and I applaud you for doing that. I'm not encouraging anyone to boycott and I'm so pleased to see your book trailer and sketches of Nimira are dark-skinned. Anyway, if you want to respond go ahead, but I don't think you ahve to if you don't want to. Especially since you're so busy!

[info]cleverlyinked.blogspot.com

January 19 2010, 04:22:38 UTC 2 years ago

Loved the book.

As I posted before I was extremely excited to read this book. I couldnt wait I ended up buying last weekend. I LOVED it. I am still looking forward to the book signing.


I wish you the best with your book. It's a beautiful Story.

[info]jenny_moss

January 19 2010, 12:44:03 UTC 2 years ago

Happy Birthday, Jackie!!

[info]olmue

January 19 2010, 12:52:59 UTC 2 years ago

Yes! Coming over to wish you happy birthday. And to say again how much I love MUG.

[info]boreal_owl

January 19 2010, 16:48:07 UTC 2 years ago

Happy birthday, Jackie! Enjoy your book/birthday party. I loved MAGIC UNDER GLASS! Wishing you and your book much success!

[info]mythicagirl

January 19 2010, 21:49:22 UTC 2 years ago

Magic Under Glass Cover

I just wanted to say I am planning on buying your book, and its my understanding that a boycott was not to harm your sales, but to send a message to Bloomsbury. I'm going to paste something I posted on another blog, so that many of your fans and readers understand why all the outrage. Though your protag's ethnicity is never specified, there's a terrible history involved with those with brown skin (they used to call it the paper bag test to determine blackness) and its something still lingering in America to this very day. I'm sorry you're caught up in all this.

To those who may think its only a cover, I believe some historical perspective is needed. There are a couple of ways African Americans, or those thought to be descendants of Africans were depicted in past American culture. First, there was a time that offensive renderings were plentiful (smiling lawn jockeys, artwork with exaggerated features, whites in blackface, blacks in blackface) Second, even when Hollywood made movies with black characters who were paired with white love interests, they chose white women to play them (Ava Gardner in Showboat, Jeane Crain in Pinky, Natalie Wood in Kings Go Forth)

African American musical acts had happy white faces on their album covers, the thought being white listeners would more readily pick up their album with people who looked like them.

Reminders of those days gone past can be found each time you see Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben. Blacks were addressed as "uncle" and "auntie" in the familiar, so as not to call them Mr. or Mrs, a form of respect not to be granted.

If blacks were present at all, then a smile on the face was mandatory (that's why AJ and UB are smiling)

What Bloomsbury, and any other publisher who does this is falling back on is the cultural norms of the past, ones that no longer are talked about, but are still with us, perhaps subtlely to some, but still here none the less.

It's either a crude caracature, or not used at all, or a white/near white version (eventually used on the LIAR cover)

The info I've listed above isn't something readily taught in schools, though it should be so people realize why all the anger.


So there's more to all this, whether it was innocently done, or an intentional business decision. Unfortunately, you can't change history. But you sure can keep on repeating it.

[info]mythicagirl

January 19 2010, 21:54:34 UTC 2 years ago

Re: Magic Under Glass Cover

I just wanted to add, I applaud you for writing a book with a brown protagonist, no matter what her race is. My very best to you.

[info]minakokenshou

January 20 2010, 00:18:50 UTC 2 years ago

Happy Birthday Jackie! I'm so sorry to see all this controversy about your book cover right now. That's gotta be tough on you. :(

Hope the book signing went well! Wish I could have gone but I'm sick.

[info]tltrent

January 20 2010, 02:15:14 UTC 2 years ago

Jackie, just wanted to say happy birthday and that I just finished MUG and loved it. Have you plans to write more in this world? I had so many questions!!

I'll look forward to your thoughts on the cover, but no matter what, be proud that you have a wonderful debut book.

[info]linkspam_mod

January 21 2010, 19:58:02 UTC 2 years ago

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