By Ember Richardson
The news cycle is perpetually inundated with bad news wherever you look. Whether it’s daily CNN broadcasts, a local news station, or even your social media feeds, there always seems to be something terrible. As a reader, I turn to books to escape into other worlds, where heroes narrowly avoid death by dragon-fire and are forced to fight baddies around the clock, because at least it’s not my current reality.
So it’s a crushing disappointment to discover that some beloved authors can contribute to the same negative news cycle. While I may still love their books, I also don’t want to feel guilt by indicating that I support their views in the slightest.
There are easy ways to get around this issue when the author has since passed away. One example is H. P. Lovecraft, who was historically racist, misogynistic, and an all-around problematic person. However, since his death in 1937, other authors have taken his Cthulhu mythos and transformed cosmic horror into a new genre of science fiction. Victor LaValle wrote The Ballad of Black Tom, published in 2016, that reimagines “The Horror at Red Hook,” and centers an African American man as the protagonist. Also published in 2016 is Lovecraft Country, written by Matt Ruff which explores Lovecraft’s horror, placing it squarely within the Jim Crow era of the American South. This was then adapted into a television series by HBO Max in 2020. The books and show are both excellent ways to acknowledge Lovecraft’s writing and original mythos without the racist undertones.
With “cancel culture” being a strongly loaded phrase, I’ve chosen three current authors, from different genres to highlight common problematic behaviors, including those represented in their stories, and ways in which we, as readers, can stop supporting their views.
In July 2024, nine women came out with credible accusations of unwanted sexual behavior by Neil Gaiman, the author of books such as American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book. American Gods (2001) in particular won the Hugo and Nebula Awards, the two largest awards for science fiction and fantasy authors. I happen to own every single one of these books, and have reread them several times. The reports made me incredibly sad because one of my favorite authors is not the person I had believed him to be.
The most famous and continuingly problematic author is JK Rowling. The children’s and young adult (YA) book series Harry Potter includes several problematic issues. The first is seen in first novel with the representation of goblins working at Gringotts. They are antisemitic stereotypes and Rowling never takes the time to flesh out these characters. At Hogwarts, Harry meets people such as the Malfoy family who push for blood and racial purity, and this allows many readers to miss the fact that his best friend, Ronald Weasley comes from this same pureblood lineage. Later on in the series, Hermione pushes back against the system that allows house elves to be slaves, and is often outright ridiculed for this. The plotline ends with many house elves embracing that they are better off working in lives of unpaid servitude.
In real life, Rowling hasn’t been shy about her transphobic views, and the chairman of HBO has defended her involvement in the new television series of her books, calling it “incredibly helpful” to have her guidance.
The last author I’ll mention here is Sarah J Maas, often considered a trailblazer for the “romantasy” genre. Her two main series, A Throne of Glass (ToG) and A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) are both widely read and rapidly criticized. There is an extreme lack of diversity, and when people of color are shown on the page, they are often secondary characters that die quickly, furthering harmful “white savior” tropes. Additionally, many of her female protagonists fall for supposedly “morally grey” men, which can potentially impress young readers with faulty thinking that assault and manipulation equal a passionate romance. Given that Maas’s books are often marketed as YA, despite including explicit material, it’s understandable why some readers, myself included, have issues with the messaging especially when the author herself has not done anything to disprove the reality.
Another consideration is the real-life actions surrounding Breonna Taylor’s death.
Hot take: don’t use the murder of an unarmed black woman to promote your newest book (September 24, 2020). The caption for the photo says “I hope [A Court of Silver Flames] is a bit of light for you guys today, given the appalling lack of justice for Breonna Taylor and a president doing his best to undermine and destroy our democracy.”
Many BIPOC people, writers and not, pointed out the myriads of ways in which this Instagram post is insensitive, ill-timed, and grossly, directly harmful to people in the community. Yet, it’s still visible, five years later.
I have a confession.
I have read and own almost every single book by every author listed above. None of them, however, are visible on my bookshelves. Instead, they are kept in storage, out of sight and out of mind.
For each of these authors, I have decided to retain the books I previously purchased. Placing them in the nearest Little Free Library would let more people experience the writing, and I don’t wish for them to be disappointed when they realize the authors are not as kind and genuine as the worlds they create.
Gaiman has been removed from all of the projects he was previously involved in and dropped by his publisher, so I do not feel guilty feeling excited for the final season of Good Omens, an adaptation of the novel of the same name, co-authored by fantasy author Terry Pratchett.
Given the notoriety and fame of Harry Potter, I recognize that there is no end in sight. The original movies were a worldwide phenomenon; however, Rowling has pushed hard for a television series remake because she hates that her original leads publicly denounced her transphobic views. This has led to many choosing to preemptively boycott the new series, even as famous actors join and have stated “support” for the LGBTQ community.
One option for the Harry Potter fandom, or “Potterheads” is to continue transforming the old work into something that gives meaning to their everyday lives. I know and love several family members who have taken this approach, rewatched the old films, and cosplayed the characters at Halloween because the story, despite its faults, brings them joy.
I fiercely defend everyone’s right to joy.
Instead of watching the upcoming television series, and thus giving a problematic author more money and clout, consider returning to what made the Harry Potter books special to you in the first place. Reread the books, brush off your brooms and play a Quidditch game with friends.
Scan online fandom spaces such as Wattpad or Archive of Our Own (AO3) for new takes on the stories. If you don’t own the books, physical, audio or otherwise, no need to fret. Your local library will undoubtedly have some to loan.
There is also the option to listen to “Critical Magic Theory: An Analytical Harry Potter Podcast” and “Mortal Lands: A Sarah J. Maas Book Club,” as these allow people to interact with the Harry Potter and ACOTAR universes, without directly involving the authors.
Rowling and Maas are still highly involved in works being produced and adapted of their stories, meaning that any money paid toward books and streaming services still directly supports them.
For that reason, I’ve stopped purchasing books by either as a form of protest. I know it doesn’t mean much, but it’s one less book bought and one less book giving them money. Instead, I will focus on finishing my to-be-read list and showcasing new authors who deserve the spotlight.
There are many ways to interact with stories, and the world will be a kinder, better place if we collectively decide to leave certain authors behind. Their books may end up gathering dust, but it does not erase the previous magic and love. As the world changes, there is no reason to keep these problematic authors on a pedestal. Let us all work to make the future brighter, and find joy riding dragons again.
AUTHOR BIO
Ember Richardson (he/they) has finished a young adult science fiction novel and is currently drafting his second after graduating with an MFA in Creative Writing and Publishing from Emerson College. Ember began writing as part of his mission to create compelling conversations to foster a kinder, more equitable society. As a deaf, disabled, transgender individual, he knows firsthand how stories can change lives when people see themselves represented in the media. When he isn’t doting on his cats, he is daydreaming stories or plotting his next trip around the world.
