A New Cover for "Liar"
source: http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/08/06/the-new-cover/
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- booksellergirl
- added this
http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/08/06/the-new-cover/
Justine Larbalestier's new book, "Liar," which is scheduled to be released in the US this year, has gotten a new cover. Why is this a big deal? Well, the book is about a black girl who is supposed to be dark-skinned, with short "nappy" hair, and the ability to "pass" for a boy. And the publisher, in their infinite wisdom, was about to release the book with a white girl on the cover. When asked why they chose to do this, the publisher responded that black people on covers do not sell books. Yuck!--via http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/07/23/aint-that-a-shame/
The author, who is a white Australian, has made a conscious choice to write protagonists that are people of color. She was shocked when she first saw the cover for her book and raised a protest. When asked why her protagonist are not usually white Larbalestier answers:
"Because a young Hispanic girl I met at a signing thanked me for writing an Hispanic character. Because when I did an appearance in Queens the entirely black and Hispanic teenage audience responded so warmly to my book with two non-white main characters. Because teens, both here and in Australia, have written thanking me for writing characters they could relate to. 'Most books are so white,' one girl wrote me."
--via http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/07/22/why-my-protags-arent-white/
Because of the protests of many in the SF&F community and others, the publisher relented and changed the cover. It will now feature a black woman, though some still complain that she still looks very little like the girl described in the book. I say hooray for baby steps!! At least the publisher folded and there will be one more book on the YA shelves feature a person of color.
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- Community, SF&F and Comics, Booked
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seanalyn
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Well Im glad theyre at least changing it up. Ive been following this story and was so appalled to learn about the blatant racism by book publishers. I dont understand why they didnt go with the Australian cover which I thought was beautiful and far better than either of the American versions.
- 3 years ago
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seanalyn
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booksellergirl
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seanalyn:
The publishing industry, the record industry, heck most industries unfortunately are this racist. This time at least they got caught at it and there was someone involved will to put her career on the line to do the right thing.
- 3 years ago
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booksellergirl
