Podcast
The Bulwark Podcast
This was the manuscript of Richard North Patterson's first novel in nine years, described as a law-based narrative culminating in a murder trial, which was rejected by major publishers because he, as a white author, chose to write about racial problems through the prism of three major characters, two of whom were black. The book was eventually picked up by an independent publisher and was being released in installments via a Substack newsletter.
Last January my agents began submitting to publishers the manuscript of my first novel in nine years. On the surface, I had reason for confidence. Of my 22 prior novels, 16 had been New York Times bes...
— Episode: Will Saletan: How Many Coups Do You Have...
Episode: Will Saletan: How Many Coups Do You Have to Attemp...
This was the manuscript of Richard North Patterson's first novel in nine years, described as a law-based narrative culminating in a murder trial, which was rejected by major publishers because he, as a white author, chose to write about racial problems through the prism of three major characters, two of whom were black. The book was eventually picked up by an independent publisher and was being released in installments via a Substack newsletter.
Last January my agents began submitting to publishers the manuscript of my first novel in nine years. On the surface, I had reason for confidence. Of my 22 prior novels, 16 had been New York Times bestsellers and in general, reviewers had treated them kindly and my agent shared my assessment that this one called Trial was equal to my strongest work, whatever, you know.
The novel was repeatedly rejected by major publishers because as a white author, I chose to write about some of our most vexing racial problems, voter suppression, unequal law enforcement through the prism of three major characters, two of them black.
The core question applies to anyone who dares to write fiction, whether empathy and imagination should be allowed to cross the lines of racial identity.