I was at the Sisters
in Crime/Los Angeles booth at the L.A. Times Book Festival at USC over the
weekend, selling my new novel WHITE HEAT, as well as several anthologies in
which stories of mine appear. I've been
going for several years, though this is the first time I've had a novel that
was all me to sell. So that was
exciting.
And it's always nice
to socialize with both the public and my fellow Sisters…and Brothers in
Crime. To see people I haven't seen for
awhile and meet new fellow crimesters.
But the main objects
are to increase the visibility of Sisters in Crime and, of course, to try to
sell books. So why would I try to talk
someone out of buying my new novel that I want as much attention and word of
mouth as possible for?
Early in my time at the
booth a woman came by and talked to me about the various anthologies and the
novel. We had a nice conversation about
the books and other things. And she
seemed interested, but ultimately didn't buy anything. I didn't think anymore of it.
But awhile later she
returned with a young man in tow. He
looked to be about fifteen and it appeared from their conversation that she
wanted to buy the novel for him. I was
happy that she'd returned and wanted to buy a book.
However, since the
book was clearly for her son I felt like I had to say something about the
content.
To
give you an idea of what the book is about here's the blurb for it: WHITE HEAT
is a mystery-thriller that takes place during the 1992 "Rodney King"
riots in Los Angeles. P.I. Duke Rogers
finds himself in a racially charged situation.
The case might have to wait....
The immediate problem: getting out of South Central Los Angeles in one
piece – during the 1992 L.A. riots – and
that's just the beginning of his problems.
And while he tries to track down the killer he must also deal with the
racism of his partner, Jack, and from the dead woman's brother, Warren. He must also confront his own possible latent
racism – even as he's in an interracial relationship with the murder victim's
sister.
On
the surface the story is a mystery-thriller.
But it also deals with the harsh realities of race and racism. And in doing so some of the characters use
extremely offensive language, from the F word to various racial epithets. Reviewer M2 says this of White Heat:
"'White Heat' is a tough, tersely-written book featuring tough,
complicated, and not always lovable characters who might push many readers to
the very edge of their comfort zone. But it's honest and it's real, and it doesn't
pander to its audience by providing pat or phony answers to the many complex
issues it raises."
And
while I want as many readers as possible and want people to enjoy the novel on
both the plot and deeper levels, I felt I had to warn the young man's mother about
the various intense aspects of the book. The
choice was hers and she ultimately chose not to buy it and I lost a sale.
I
don't believe in censorship of any kind, but this was, in a sense, self-censorship. When it came to someone as young as this kid
I felt it was my obligation to tell his mother and let her or them make up
their minds. I'm not sorry I told them
and maybe someday he will read it.
What
would you have done?
