#diverse representation in books | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

black-is-beautiful18 · 6 months

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I started a dive into my tbr and it’s amazing how many genuinely good fantasy books get overlooked by the booktok girlies because the protagonists aren't white. Like I’m just beginning Beast if Prey with Skin of the Sea and The Gilded Ones up next and I am just BAFFLED (not really because racism) that the same people who swoon over half-baked “fantasy” books on booktok are ignoring and under promoting these genuinely great books. It’s just so painfully transparent that booktok and bookish spaces in general are for white people and the books that keep them front and center, and it irks me beyond belief.

I’m just now seeing this, but the white part of booktok and the other small parts that try to kiss up to them are deeply unserious. Fourth Wing was blowing up on there even with actual critiques from ppl who have read it. Not to mention the fact that the author is a weirdo. Then the fact that there are so many good books by Black and Brown authors but it’s either they’re not talked about or ppl act as if only one book/author can be praised at a time. That’s not how it works. Also, while it is on my shelf, I’ve heard Skin of the Sea actually has harmful portrayals of the Orisha so ppl are saying that it probably isn’t the best book to read. But I literally am doing two projects on diverse reading and even the mistreatment and disregard of Black characters in media for school. Like it’s absolutely ridiculous. So many amazing books and they not reading them cuz they “can’t relate” when that’s not the point. Like be fr 🙄

#diverse reads #diverse representation in books #booktok #it truly is frustrating #and sad #and even stupid #unique answers

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writingwithcolor · 6 months

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It wouldn’t be historically accurate for my story to include BIPOC!

This is an argument often made about European-style fantasy media like Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, and Disney’s Frozen. Audiences, often white, assume that due to the majority-white setting, adding any visible number of BIPOC to the story would be unrealistic.

What these critics fail to realize is that BIPOC do in fact live, and have lived, in these settings, and records of BIPOC presence in places assumed to be majority-white have been buried, written out, or not taught due to white supremacist and/or colonial bias in the field of history. There are historical European settings that were far more diverse than is often portrayed. Consider:

The Moorish Empire exerted an extensive influence over life and culture in Southern Europe from Spain from 711 to 1492

The Ottomans were heavily involved in European affairs up until the treaty of Karlowitz in 1699, but still considered a part of Europe even through the 19th century

The sheer size of the Roman Empire ensured the continued movement of people from various backgrounds within the Mediterranean well until the end of the Byzantine Empire.

“Historical accuracy” should not be used as an excuse for media to be exclusively white in its casting. While there are places which are or were predominantly white, there will always be factors like global trade and immigration that bring multiculturalism to their doors.

And even if the presence of a certain demographic is unrealistic for a certain setting? Consider that we’ve accepted far worse inaccuracies in historical fiction in the name of artistic license. Consider that our understanding of human history is, and will always be, incomplete.

Further Reading:

Historically Diverse London, “Historical Accuracy,” and Creator Accountability

Making a Black Pride and Prejudice Resonate

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This Q&A is an excerpt from our General FAQ for Newcomers, which can be found in our new Masterpost of rules and FAQs. If you're new to Writing With Color and/or want more writing resources, check it out!

-Writing With Color

#writing with color #writeblr #representation #poc representation #history #historical fiction #historical accuracy #writing advice #writing tips #writers on tumblr #diverse books #diversity matters #faq

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cemeterything · 3 months

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sorry if you’ve read this before and i just haven’t seen you post about it, but the book “hell followed with us” by andrew joseph white seems right up your alley

i need some kind of faq with a section where i explain that i consider andrew joseph white to be a poor writer except when it comes to describing excesses of body horror and gore because people keep suggesting hell followed with us to me and i'm sorry but his books are not good. aside from the vivid descriptions mentioned above they're incredibly devoid of compelling narratives, fleshed out characters or immersive worldbuilding. the guy can come up with some amazing concepts for a story, but his ability to execute them is consistently disappointing. i'm glad he's making money and having fun pursuing his creative passions but his stuff just does not appeal to me at all and frankly makes a hater out of me.

#i would be more forgiving if it werent for the fact that he markets his books as containing diverse representation #but nearly all his character tend to read like they were created using a checklist of things you need to include #in your story to advertise it as such #anyway none of this is to say i want him cancelled or to never make another buck off writing or whatever #but i cannot recommend his existing published works

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the-bi-library · 4 months

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With new year here, I present bi books of January!

Books listed: 💖A Reckless Oath (Heartless Fates, #2) by Kaylie Smith 💖The Atlas Complex (The Atlas, #3) by Olivie Blake 💖Voyage of the Damned by Frances White 💖The Timeless Legion (The Everlands Cycle, #2) by J.C. Rycroft 💖Lulu Sinagtala and the City of Noble Warriors by Gail D. Villanueva 💖Don't Look Down (Best Laid Plans #1) by Jessica Ann 💖A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft 💖The Summer Queen (The Buried and the Bound, #2) by Rochelle Hassan 💖The Knowing by Emma Hinds 💖Breaker of Fates by Vaela Denarr, Micah Iannandrea 💖Honeybloods by I.S. Belle 💖All Things Beautiful by Alaina Erdell

Let me know of the books I didn't include here 💖

Here is the goodreads list of these books

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prince-liest · 10 months

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I’m reading Witch King by Martha Wells, and now that I have read more than one (1) series by this author, I have been suddenly brained with a two-by-four sharpied over with “realizing that I really enjoy novels by Martha Wells because they live in the specific niche created by the intersection of casually and thoroughly queer casts and non-romance storylines”

I am as ever a sucker for non-human main characters struggling with their very human feelings, which is why I jumped on Witch King the moment I saw “the author of Murderbot wrote another book with a main character that’s non-human,” but I live in this dichotomy where I can really enjoy reading queer romances but I don’t really identify with non-ace characters (which is not actually something I figured out how to differentiate until I was Last Week Years Old). so there are lots of books out there that I enjoy reading but it’s comparatively rare for me to read something that feels like it was written For Me and Martha Wells does that very well

anyway, give me more ace it-pronouns human-spliced robot main characters and people-eating demons who consider rank over gender when finding new bodies to inhabit

#text posts #martha wells #witch king #personal #her castes and universes are also very culturally and ethnically diverse but I've had ace-ness on the mind lately #so it was relevant to my ongoing thoughts #I never really read books that are advertised as specific types of diversity representation #especially with queer books what I like to read is books that are very queer but aren't ABOUT being queer #so I tend to steer clear when people are like read this the mc is a nonbinary lesbian witch without even really saying what the plot is #but martha wells writes books that are queer and brown and INFLUENCED by being queer and brown but #the characters still get to have their stories be ABOUT whatever fun sci fi fantasy shenanigans are ongoing #((inb4: this is my preference not an overal value judgment))#((I just want to read the same books I read when I was a little kid and have them just ALSO be lovingly diverse))#((and I only really read SFF))#in other news I was trying to figure out how to name my flavor of ace #and then I looked up the difference between demi and gray #and I realized gray is what I am looking for #very very dark gray

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rainingmbappe · 1 month

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As an indian, we stay winning cause ambika mod played emma so stay mad you racists

#the fact that theres still talk about this #and saying that “its not true to the books” when her character being brown doesn't hender with any of the plot lines #and ADDS to diversity WITHOUT doing that so that should be celebrated if anything at all #the fact that shes getting backlash for it even now is BIZZARREEEE #how do you open your stupid dirty mouth to speak against representation??????#how does a thought dumb and disgusting enough conjure up in your mind???????#one day netflix #one day #emma morley #dexter mayhew #dex mayhew #netflix #ambika mod

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roseredsnow · 3 months

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"Star Wars needs more non white characters"

High Republic

"Star wars needs more women"

High Republic

"Star wars needs queer rep"

High Republic

#What if I started doing a HR character of the week #cause I stg whenever I see people complain about the lack of diversity im like here #look at the pretty gold books #dont get attatched to anyone theyll probably die but at least its not specifically bury your gays #the high republic #Star wars #representation matters #Asexual #Aromantic #Non binary #sapphic #LGBT+#queer

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novel-goddess · 3 months

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Hi everyone ! I recently finished “Not My Problem” by Ciara Smyth and gave it 5 stars ✨ I loved it so much and hope one day they turn this into a movie or show because it was hilarious! I listened to the audiobook and it honestly reminded me of Derry Girls. This book also touches on some serious topics for teenagers like bullying, toxic friendships and parents with alcoholism. The author does a fantastic job of blending the funny and serious parts together in a way that didn’t mess up the flow of the story. There’s also a diverse group of teens in this book with LGBTQ+ representation (bonus points because one of the characters is Polish 🇵🇱♥️). Overall I’d recommend this book to anyone who loves funny, heart warming, coming of age stories mixed with a ton of cursing and shenanigans 📚

Follow me on insta: @ readingbysunlight

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hussyknee · 20 days

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K. J. CHARLES, I LOVE YOU.

...

— Wanted: A Gentleman, K. J. Charles (2017)

That's the emotional thread that runs through the whole novella, coupled with his conflicted love for the Conroys' daughter he helped raise. It runs in parallel with Swann's own shackles of ursury and exploitation, which, while not comparable with Martin's bondage, still inspires his empathy and compassion.

Cesar Picton

Black Georgians: The Shock of the Familiar

FUCK YOUR BRIDGERTON-ASS WHITE LIBERAL DIVERSITY-COOKIES REPRESENTATION. THIS IS HOW YOU WRITE BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE. We've always been here, bitch. Pay attention and be curious about our interiority for once.

#she's so confident writing characters of colour and their struggles #i wish she'd include a little bit of their culture as well but the fact that they've assimilated into whiteness so much #while never being accepted as fully british is a big part of it #mimi matthews does a slightly better job but she doesn't have as many black characters and she's not this polished and clever #she's quarter indian though #kj charles #wanted a gentleman #black british history #queer historical romance #interracial romance #writing diversity #black representation #black history #slavery #anti blackness #british history #book recommendations #book recs #knee of huss

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bookishfeylin · 1 year

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Black Fantasy TBR Part 3

Part 1 is here.

Part 2 is here.

This portion of my tbr has a few more sci-fi books than fantasy books, but I felt it still belongs :) So here is the third and final part of my Black fantasy TBR. You guys knows the drill--please look up all age ratings and trigger warnings, and ofc there is no particular order to this list.

The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton

Flameborn by Jamel Cato

Sweep of Stars by Maurice Broaddus

The Record Keeper by Agnes Gomillion

Fate of Flames by Sarah Raughley

Tentacles and Teeth by Ariele Sieling

Earthrise by M.C.A. Hogarth

Girl of Flesh and Metal by Alicia Ellis

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor

Updraft by Fran Wilde

The Blood Trials by N.E. Davenport

The Sound of Stars by Alechia Dow

The Wonder of All Things by Jason Mott

To Find You by Cerece Rennie Murphy

The Kindred by Alechia Dow

Awakening by Rebel Miller

Immortal Plunder by Kelly St. Clare

Kill Three Birds by Nicole Givens Kurtz

The Dream Weavers by Chantae Oliver

Niko by Kayti Nika Raet

#black books #black authors #black sff books #black fantasy books #black ya books #ya books #bookblr #book tumblr #diverse fantasy books #diversity in fantasy #diverse books #fantasy #fantasy books #ya fantasy #diverse fantasy #TBR #booklr #representation matters #bookish rambles

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ebookporn · 6 months

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Early in my career, I co-founded and oversaw the title selection for WaldenEd Book Fairs, a book fair company spun off from the Waldenbooks chain. Our strategy was to differentiate ourselves from Scholastic fairs by offering a broader, more diverse, and challenging selection of titles representing a wider range of cultures and communities. It seemed only logical that to increase sales, you would want to increase the size of the audience you appealed to. Our initial plan was to launch regionally and grow slowly, but the response from schools and librarians to a title selection that mirrored the greater diversity of a bookstore serving the local community was so overwhelmingly positive that we quickly expanded nationally.

This was in the late 1980s. It would have been unimaginable to me that three decades later, Scholastic would have a marketing strategy that narrows the diversity of titles it offers and adds barriers to access titles representing any segment of the local community they serve.

- eP

#softcensorship #literacy #librarians

#soft censorship #librarians #literacy #book fairs #book publishing #diversity #representation #childrens books

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writingwithcolor · 6 months

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Wouldn’t my writing be worse off if I forced in elements like diversity?

If you are asking this question, you have yet to challenge the “default” of your culture’s media. Consider that the majority of modern Western media fill their casts with white men, and when there are women or POC, they stick out conspicuously. Many people view adding diversity as tweaking some white man characters by toggling race or gender. But this assumes that “white man” is some default, standard character template.

If you feel pressured to include diversity in your writing, distance yourself from this pressure and ask yourself why you feel it. If you feel attacked when seeing campaigns for more diversity or criticism of all-white, uninclusive media, sit with the discomfort and ask yourself why those who are different from you say they need diverse media.

These are people whose voices and faces are rarely visible in entertainment. Despite this, they enjoy an adventure as much as anyone, and have become accustomed to projecting onto white characters. Yet, when the reverse is asked of white audiences to acknowledge protagonists of color, it becomes a difficult ask. These character choices are immediately questioned, discredited, fought against, and accused of being “woke” or “unrelatable.”

This resistance reflects a larger issue: the imbalance between audiences’ empathy towards the majority/“default” and empathy towards those perceived as Other.

By mostly reading about white people, they become easier to relate to. By the same token, if we are not reading media and histories from the perspective of POC, we end up with more people who literally fail to relate to POC. When we talk about hope-deficits, increased alienation and lower self-worth among marginalized populations, underrepresentation in media is a big factor. Imagine for a moment: never the beautiful princess in the tower, never the badass hero riding dragons; always the two-second sidekick.

People of color are people and want to be seen and treated as such. Not as a burden to devote your time to, but people who have a place in the world, fictional or no. Really, writing a world in your story that is all or mostly white is more unrealistic, more forced—after all, there are far more non-white people on Earth. Becoming comfortable with diversity requires unlearning White as the Default and POC as the Other. It takes setting aside feelings of pressure to emphasize, open your heart and listen.