Jana, writer of “entertaining product” and damned proud of it

And re-read Diana’s post! For Pete’s Sake, you’re not getting it. As an author of over twenty novels, I certainly get it–but then, I’ve had my books attacked on a regular basis simply because of what they are and not at all because of the content–because, of course, these critics would never DARE crack open the covers of such “trash.”

You’re a bookseller. Bully for you. You like genre fiction. Fabulous. But don’t imply that all successful booksellers do–I know different. I’ve been to one too many stock signing where the booksellers refuse to give me the time of day to believe otherwise. One even accused me of bringing my books in from my car! I had to gently inform her that my SIMON & SCHUSTER release had been pulled from its prominent spot on the new release table.

Hell, this crap happens to NY Times authors like Tess Geritsen! It’s genre, therefore it’s crap and unworthy.

I can’t believe as a bookseller that you don’t see that attitude all the time.

A few quotes to jog your memory:

“Books are always product. Sometimes, also, they’re art.”

“Books can be whatever their authors want: entertaining, meaningful, entertaining and meaningful, entertaining but not meaningful, meaningful but not entertaining, neither…”

I believe books should be able to be art if they want to, and entertainment if they want to. I believe that books should be treated like any other medium of creativity. Sometimes, it’s a gritty art film. Sometimes, it’s a summer popcorn flick. Sometimes it’s Guernica. Sometimes, it’s After the Prom. Paintings can be whatever, Movies can be whatever. Why is it books that are derided so? *That* is what I’m saying, and I can’t figure out why you refuse to believe that’s what I’m saying.

I never said that books HAD to be only for entertainment. But I also never said that they COULDN’T be. *That* is, apparently, where you and I part. I say apparently, because you say that genre fiction is fine. So where’s the disagreement here?

there’s only so much debate I can have with an anonymous eristic who won’t even recognize the basis of my argument.

I’m not the one saying any kind of novels are bad and shouldn’t be read, published, sold, whatever. usually, hte people who say that are the ones who haven’t read them, though. HTat mush I *do* know.

I happen to love genre writers. The really great ones create stories and characters that thrill their fans and disturb their critics. In fact, if I were you, I’d smile and say “Thank you” when somebody attacked my work. You probably don’t need to start worrying until the critics are all gone.

Yes, yes, yes, books are products. Obviously. But so is anything else that can be bought and sold. Do you really believe that books should be treated like any other product? In fact, I’m dying to read your thoughts on just what it is that makes books Special.

Let’s just say I’ll stop attacking them when they stop attacking me. there are PLENTY of forms of fiction that I don’t care for, but I don’t think they are worthless.

Also, I’m sure you do believe that books are Something Special. Folks you’ve referred to as Book Snobs – whether booksellers, critics, readers, writers, etc. – also believe that books are Something Special (and I absolutely acknowledge that there are “Book Snobs” out there that make me look like a piker). But why go off on them – they’re harmless.

Case in point (always wanted to type that): I’ve NEVER met a Bookselling Book Snob that wanted to limit access to ANY book. Yea, there are some booksellers whose shelves reflect their political leanings, and even their individual tastes. But they are neither true Snobs, nor successful booksellers. Bookstores that survive have shelves that reflect their Customers’ sensibilities — not their own. As such, I’d argue that Customers control the shelves…not booksellers.

As far as Shanna goes, my challenge remains. Is she willing to damn Target and Walmart for limiting access to books that their communities actually want (remember the Jon Stewart book? the George Carlin book? these were national bestsellers that Walmart refused to carry becuase of their content).

a) The BSC conversation was not the only one I was commenting on (hence the reference to “myriad discussions”), and almost all of the comments up to Robin’s were pretty one-sided.

b) It’s not booksellers that I’m talking about. It’s ANYONE who thinks that books, alone in the media galaxy, should somehow be held to some lofty, insubstantial, subjective, and pointless artistic standard. Writers, readers, whatever. the same people who think nothing of watching Desperate Housewives and General Hospital would simply keel over and die if someone sugested they read a “trashy” romance. Because it’s a… book? The same people who applaud my college classmate for getting a role on a shoot ‘em up action flick or sex-filled reality tv show are appalled that I would write comedy or romance or chick lit.

c) I don’t know why you think I think that books should be treated as “Nothing Special.” Nowhere have I ever made that claim. In fact, I think that books that are created for the purposes of entertainment, irrespective of any other purpose, “are as meaningful as it gets.” And I’ve already made my point about anyone treating anything as nothing special.

d) Wherefore the hatred of Shanna? Ms. Swendson is one of the most dedicated, hardworking, and talented writers I have had the pleasure of meeting in the industry. Here’s a hint — EVERY bookseller controls what is shelved. The local indie might choose not to shelve Ann Coulter because they thinks she’s a psycho. Or maybe not to shelve Shanna’s book because they don’t do “trash” like chick lit. I have as much a problem with that as I do with Walmart. But hey, free enterprise has it’s ups and downs. I don’t see why a corporate bookseller has any less right to sell books than a non-corporate one does.

(a) I did a quick re-read of the discussion at Bookseller Chick. The discussion certainly seems much more balanced than you’re willing to give it credit for.

(b) Even if it was’t balanced, did you really feel a need to rant because booksellers think books are Sacred Works Of Art? I’d think that you’d be thrilled that there are educated people on this planet that work for sub-standard wages because they absolutely LOVE books and consider your work art, rather than simply product. In fact, isn’t it kind of human to think that something you love is special? Goodness…me and my silly ideas.

(c) Gee whiz, you’d think someone like yourself – with such an exceptional grasp of the book business – would instinctually understand that when books are treated as Nothing Special by publishers (and some authors), then the consumer will see them as Nothing Special…like our good friend Shanna Swendson…

(d)Shanna Swendson is welcome to buy her books wherever she’d like. I wonder if she knows how many books Target and Walmart won’t carry because some jackass in their Corporate Headquarters objects to the content. And if she does know, I wonder if she’s ready to say “How Dare They!” again. Hey Shanna, congratulations. Yea, you might be supporting a bunch of corporate buffoons…but hey, you saved three dollars…and that’s what counts.

So there. I guess I’m a just another Uninformed Book Snob. Kill me.

You know, after the hurricanes blew through here and destroyed so much, when I needed so desperately to escape, what do you think I picked up? Somber, depressing stories? Of course not. I needed to laugh and to escape, and I turned to humor and romps and entertaining books, and they kept me sane when everything else was so bleak. I think about my friend’s aunt, who’s battling cancer, and the fact that she’s doing really well and she chalks it up to the fact that she constantly reads books that make her laugh, that are fun and entertaining. It’s crazy for some snobby person to think that just because they want all serious, all the time that that’s what the rest of the world wants, too.