Thread by @Joannechocolat

Without making this all about criticizing the rather unwise actions of an author for whom I otherwise have a lot of time, I think it's important to think about the way women's books are presented.

You've probably noticed me complaining from time to time about the way books by women tend to have pink jackets, feminized fonts and a generally softer look than books in a similar genre by men. I think this sucks for various reasons.

First, it perpetuates the general idea that although writing by men is universal, books by women, about women's experiences, are exclusively FOR women. Most men have women in their lives. Why not in their book cases?

Secondly, it suggests that women's fiction is a sub-genre, even in other genres. The literary fiction genre already exists. Why do we need a "women's literary fiction" category?

All this leads readers (and some writers, too) to buy into the idea that women writers are not to be taken as seriously as men in the literary world. Humoured, maybe; but not taken seriously.

Which is why some women writers, in an attempt to protest, find themselves drawn into the trap of sneering at women's writing. Sometimes it even works. The literary world may treat them as exceptions to the pink-jacket rule. But it doesn't do a thing to validate women's writing.

Because, here's the thing. Women are neither a genre, nor a single experience. Some write literary fiction, some fluff. There is the same broad spectrum of talent, originality, skill and imagination in women's writing as in writing by men. And that's fine.

So, women: write fluff. Write fantasy. Write beautiful prose. Write horror. Write your experiences. Write those of other people. Write about women. Write about men. Write whatever the hell you please, and for whatever audience. That's what men do. You can too.

But don't do that *other* thing men do, which is to look down on women's writing in order to gain the approval of a male-driven literary world. That trophy may look shiny to you, but it isn't worth having.