Reflections on a 20-Year-Old Novel

Back in 2016, I received a call from an editor at Simon & Schuster in New York. They were preparing to release a new edition of my first novel, “girl” (1994). We were updating the cover and revisiting the content.

Typically, new editions are joyful milestones for authors. I mean, if your book remains relevant after two decades, that’s something, right?

One thing the editor mentioned was that along with the new design, a younger team of editors was reviewing the main text.

At first, I was a bit perplexed. I wondered, why revisit the text after all this time?

The editor explained that these recent graduates were focused on issues like racism and sexism and aimed to ensure that Simon & Schuster wouldn’t inadvertently publish material that could be seen as harmful to marginalized groups.

Sensitivity in Publishing

This idea certainly struck me as unusual. However, I felt reassured. “Girl” was considered “edgy” back in the day, yet it had sold well and was made into a film. Plus, it was translated into various languages.

I thought that any controversies it had caused would be regarded as manageable now.

So when I learned these new editors were encountering challenges with “Girl,” it raised my eyebrows. I found myself surprised and concerned.

That’s when it hit me: progressive activists or “sensitive readers” could potentially edit your work.

Thankfully, since “Girl” was two decades old, we had the option to avoid major revisions. So, really, it wasn’t catastrophic.

Still, it felt like a troubling sign for what was to come. If we are scrutinizing older literature like this, what about new works waiting to be published?

Related thought: My parents decided to tie the knot when I was just 16. Perhaps I should reflect on that…

A Decade Later

Recently, I picked up a nonfiction book that delves into this growing trend in publishing: “That Book Is Dangerous! How Moral Panic, Social Media, and Culture Wars Are Reshaping Publishing.”

In this engaging read, young literary scholar Adam Cetera discusses how “susceptible readers” and various forms of ideological madness began troubling the publishing landscape after Trump’s inauguration.

It’s quite an entertaining book, presenting numerous instances of how convoluted leftist ideology has infiltrated the book world.

During this time, writers, editors, and fans began accusing each other of everything from racism to homophobia. Careers were derailed; dreams of emerging authors vanished in the blink of an eye. And discussions often revolved around questions like, “Can white authors write about Black characters?”

It turned into quite the chaotic spiral—almost like a shooting gallery.

The Left’s Internal Struggles

Initially, when I came across “This Book Is Dangerous,” I assumed Cetera must lean right. Who else would pen something like this?

Yet, that assumption was misguided. He holds a PhD in English Literature from Cornell University, which suggests he’s definitely on the left side of the spectrum.

So, he isn’t just critiquing the so-called crazies trying to dismantle our culture.

Instead, he seems to find concern among his leftist peers about the damage they’re inflicting on their own cause.

It’s oddly gratifying to read narratives where leftists critique their own factions. They often stumble upon unpleasant truths, only to denounce them later.

It’s like watching a dog chase its own tail. “Hey, Fido, that tail you’re gnawing? That’s you!”

Influencing the Next Generation

One takeaway from “That Book Is Dangerous!” is recognizing how much this ideological battle plays out in young adult and children’s literature.

Surprise, surprise—some folks want to regulate what the youth are exposed to.

A significant way they do this is through literature, especially books that parents read to their kids or ones recommended in classrooms.

Books carry a moral weight that platforms like TV or TikTok don’t have. It’s no secret that the left craves this moral authority, even if it means pointing fingers at one another.

Political Publishing

Yes, I recommend “That Book Is Dangerous!” It’s a worthwhile read and a validating experience for anyone who’s navigated the now-politicized publishing landscape.

Over the years, my connection with this industry dwindled remarkably. I found myself sidelined—after Trump’s election, being a straight white male hardly invited welcoming arms in mainstream publishing.

This felt like the industry exacting some form of revenge on American men who dared to support Trump.

As for me, I felt adrift as my career in mainstream writing seemed to evaporate. Eventually, though, I found new opportunities where I felt more at home and aligned with my colleagues.