Mourning and efforts to find a way forward are both part of the ongoing discussion about Fireside Magazine since yesterday’s audio debacle and apology (see “Fireside Editor Apologizes for “Auditory Blackface” by Narrator of Essay in November Issue”).
Ali Trotta
Nibedita Sen
Meg Frank
I didn’t talk about it because it sucks to admit you were one of publishing’s “snacks”
— ?meg frank (they/them) ? (@peripateticmeg) November 24, 2020
I didn’t talk about it because I was embarrassed I wasn’t stronger.
— ?meg frank (they/them) ? (@peripateticmeg) November 24, 2020
P. Djèlí Clark
A day later and I’m still dwelling on the epic f*ckup-edness that transpired with Fireside Fiction, in the callous butchery and minstrelization of redclayscholar's (aka Dr. Regina Bradley) voice and work. Of all the spaces that could happen, it wasn’t "supposed" to happen there.
— Disgruntled Haradrim (@pdjeliclark) November 25, 2020
I learned of the epic fail late yesterday when my wife said, “that Fireside place you wrote for is getting dragged all over Black twitter.” Huh? What could make those two (largely) disparate worlds collide? Then I checked my phone. Did NOT see that plot twist coming.
— Disgruntled Haradrim (@pdjeliclark) November 25, 2020
In 2016 Fireside did a bombshell study on #BlackSpecFic that blew up the SFF writing world. Sent magazines on a frenzy to diversify their pages and editorial ranks. Reverberated to agents & cons. It was even a catalyst for the launching of FIYAH. Twas a whole moment.
— Disgruntled Haradrim (@pdjeliclark) November 25, 2020
In 2017 when I was looking to send out my story of founding fathers, enslaved people, and magic teeth, Fireside was the second place I submitted to. Cuz I believed that there, the story would receive the care, respect, and empathy it deserved. It did. Got some nice art. Won stuff
— Disgruntled Haradrim (@pdjeliclark) November 25, 2020
Fireside became known for championing marginalized voices. When BIPOC writers asked where to safely submit, they were top on my list. They allied w/diverse orgs and a cross-section of guest editors from diverse backgrounds. Which makes this epic f*ck up that more glaring.
— Disgruntled Haradrim (@pdjeliclark) November 25, 2020
Black folk have worked to open up Fireside. Black editors like Maurice Broaddus helped get Prof. Bradley in the mag—to show the intersection of HipHop, Southern culture, and SFF. To invite someone into that space only to have them undergo that sort of harm is a gut punch.
— Disgruntled Haradrim (@pdjeliclark) November 25, 2020
Fireside’s editor Pablo Defendini has apologized. Good. Tho' Dr. Bradley is well within her rights to decline. Apology dynamics 101. But there's more. Cuz when your space advertises itself in advocacy of marginalized voices, and we sign on—your f**k-up splashes onto us.
— Disgruntled Haradrim (@pdjeliclark) November 25, 2020
While one person can take responsibility this has the familiar feel of something systemic. There are BIPOC writers w/stories set to come out in Fireside. Guest editors of marginalized backgrounds set to put out issues. And many are now pondering their place & role in that system
— Disgruntled Haradrim (@pdjeliclark) November 25, 2020
Reading Dr. Bradley's comments that this incident made her question her own voice literally *hurt.* Every BIPOC writer in SFF knows that feeling. We know it intimately.
— Disgruntled Haradrim (@pdjeliclark) November 25, 2020
Prof. Bradley deserves some form of restitution for what happened. And a more in depth apology, including exactly what happened. Because tbh the story as told is still not "sitting right" with me. I'm not understanding how at no point in that entire process no one said "hold up."
— Disgruntled Haradrim (@pdjeliclark) November 25, 2020
I got no idea what is going to happen with Fireside. My interaction with the magazine and its editor has been…banal. But since yesterday, others have come forward to express misgivings. I’m certainly listening.
— Disgruntled Haradrim (@pdjeliclark) November 25, 2020
But for those of us who have worked with Fireside and sung its praises, who thought “it couldn’t happen here” this ugly episode serves as a reminder that fixing the problems that plague SFF continues to require work and constant vigilance. End.
— Disgruntled Haradrim (@pdjeliclark) November 25, 2020
Heath Miller
Multiple times, multiple publishers. I have said respectfully that I thought the work needed to be read by a woman/Black person/Asian person (insert as appropriate). I have then checked back and discovered a different white dude ended up reading it.
— Heath Miller (@veryheathmiller) November 25, 2020
I do believe there ARE grey areas when it comes to audio casting. Twitter isn't good for nuance and detail so I won't get in to it. But audiobook narrators play TONS of characters that aren't of their racial background. Obviously. They read whole books. It can be done sensitively
— Heath Miller (@veryheathmiller) November 25, 2020
If you *did* think it was okay, as an editor or narrator, well then there would be some issues, and some self-examination necessary, I would suggest.
— Heath Miller (@veryheathmiller) November 25, 2020
Here is an article from earlier this year listing just a few of the MANY incredible Black narrators working. https://t.co/zTtURuUCOi
— Heath Miller (@veryheathmiller) November 25, 2020
As I have decided to open my fat mouth on this particular example of wrongheaded and disrespectful casting, I will say – I do think there are discussions to be had about voice actors and what is okay/not okay, and *my* opinions on that may be very different to other peoples.
— Heath Miller (@veryheathmiller) November 25, 2020
Apparition Lit
We don't have the readership or funds Fireside has, but we still check in with writers and make sure we don't harm their words. How a magazine with teams and money behind them can't do the same is fucking ridiculous. Professional is more than a payrate, it's an expectation https://t.co/ciR5tf4Jmu
— Apparition Lit (@ApparitionLit) November 25, 2020
Jeff Xilon
Andrés Moon
M. M. Schill
They didn't "let it happen". It wasn't a mistake.
— M.M. Schill (@mm_schill) November 25, 2020
They made CHOICES. And those choices had a result.
Dude bros in this industry need a lesson in what culpability looks like.
"Mistake" is a word you use to deflect responsibility. As if it was an innocent accident..
This is worth another share, considering how South that explanation went. Because if you are going to use abuse tactics in your explanation, keep it to yourself. https://t.co/lN0sk5zYSJ
— M.M. Schill (@mm_schill) November 25, 2020
Grown men can handle the consequences of stepping in it…so let them. They have to. There is no reconciliation without contrition. Let them be in trouble, because the only way out is through.
— M.M. Schill (@mm_schill) November 25, 2020