Thread by @SAChakrabooks

I don't normally like to take up too much space in the Book Discourse of Twitter since frankly I think others are better at it, but white fantasy writers? A word.

If you make the choice to write about a culture that isn't yours in today's world (and it is a choice), you should be prepared for the heat and rightful second glances that sparks.

The Western fantasy canon is built on racism and cultural appropriation, okay? This is not new knowledge, nor is the fact that publishing is still a predominately white industry publishing white authors.

POC, who've watched writers and media types rake in dollars while perpetuating terrible stereotypes do not owe you the benefit of the doubt. No one actually does! If you publish a book, congratulations, you and it are now public figures.

People are going to say terrible things about you. They may be awful! They may be lies and misperceptions and marketing you had nothing to do with, but that comes with the turf. Figure out now how to deal with it without lashing out at strangers online.

I'm not one for too many rules in publishing, but I do believe this: if you are a white author writing about another culture, guess what? They come first. Not just the ones you're friends with or who like your book.

Don't get me wrong, people aren't a monolith and shouldn't be treated that way, but you don't get to control how they feel about your. We've had book after book written by a white person that horribly mangles another culture. How can you blame anyone for not wanting to be burned?

And for God's sake, if you supposedly care about a people enough to be inspired to use aspects of their culture in your work, CARE. Forget not talking over or yelling at them, are you boosting and reading THEIR work? Mentoring aspiring writers and donating some of that advance $

Or what about the non-public stuff like turning down interviews and anthologies to anonymously suggest a POC author or the always fun quietly fighting con organizers on their panel assignments? And again, check your heart. Be an ally, not just a performer on Twitter.

And try listening to that criticism. Listen, we've all written problematic things. It's okay to quietly reflect, learn and do better in the future. That discomfort and constant reevaluation (is this my story?) will keep you humble and honest and help you improve.

And it should go without saying: feeling bad that people are talking about you online (especially people from the culture your wrote about and got paid for!) is not the same as you know, actually suffering from structural racism and white supremacy.

You can be white and marginalized. But some real talk? We still aren't getting it as rough as POC writers. We don't need to be sucking up all the air in these conversations.

I hate even talking about these things because I feel like these conversations always pivots to center white people learning rather than boosting POC (which is why I'm going to shut up now because this is just that.)

But if I can be angry for a moment because I've tried to be diplomatic this entire thread: if you attack a visibly Muslim woman with the kind of insinuations that nationalists use to argue that Muslims are threats who don't belong in the West? You're gonna earn that side-eye.

There is a long, ugly history of white people arguing their superiority when it comes to feminism, sexuality, and gender issues. It's one of the very underpinnings of colonialism and imperialism. That's really the narrative you want?

This thread seems to be getting shared quite a bit, so if you learned something and have a few bucks, may I direct you here? launchgood.com/project/donate…