Joanne Harris' 10 tweets highlight book world sexism

Joanne Harris, author of the Rune series of titles, Chocolat, and a host of other works has used a #TenTweets set of posts on Twitter to highlight the sexism she's suffered in the world of books. Needless to say we applaud Harris' comments and willingness to post them; particularly as Twitter can be (ridiculously) combative for anyone rightfully speaking out on such an issue.

We hope the book world at large takes note, and anyone (still, somehow) ignorant of sexism properly consider their future interactions. With female authors, but more generally too.

The author was asked "What are interview questions that you respect?" Her response? A rather excellent, "Respectful ones".

Today's #TenTweets are examples of how sexist the book world can be. All from my own experience. Follow the hashtag to collect them all...

— Joanne Harris (@Joannechocolat) July 8, 2015

2. Early on in my career, one of my rejection letters from a large publisher cited as their reason: "lack of visual appeal." #TenTweets

— Joanne Harris (@Joannechocolat) July 8, 2015

3. Later, my publisher tried to put a pink jacket on a book with an almost all-male cast, "so as not to alienate your readers." #TenTweets

— Joanne Harris (@Joannechocolat) July 8, 2015

4. In spite of my Cambridge degree and academic background, I am still regularly referred to as "Yorkshire lass Joanne Harris." #TenTweets

— Joanne Harris (@Joannechocolat) July 8, 2015

5. Recently I was told by a man at an academic party that "he never read books by women." Two of his friends immediately agreed. #TenTweets

— Joanne Harris (@Joannechocolat) July 8, 2015

6. Just now, on Twitter, a man who admitted having no knowledge, statistics or experience, told me publishing wasn't sexist. #TenTweets

— Joanne Harris (@Joannechocolat) July 8, 2015

7. Reviews of my food-themed book centred mostly on recipes. Reviews of John Lanchester's food-themed book centred on -er-THEMES. #TenTweets

— Joanne Harris (@Joannechocolat) July 8, 2015

8. I yet have to meet a male writer of fiction whose work is habitually described as "delicious; sweet; mouth-watering." #TenTweets

— Joanne Harris (@Joannechocolat) July 8, 2015

9. (a) Last time I toured in the US, every interviewer I met asked me what I thought of FIFTY SHADES OF GREY. #TenTweets

— Joanne Harris (@Joannechocolat) July 8, 2015

9. (b) I happened to be travelling with a male writer, who spoke to the same interviewers on the same shows. NO-ONE asked him. #TenTweets

— Joanne Harris (@Joannechocolat) July 8, 2015

10. (a) I just did an online interview for a foreign magazine. One of the questions was: "Aren't you afraid of getting fat?" #TenTweets

— Joanne Harris (@Joannechocolat) July 8, 2015

10 (b): Another was: "How do you juggle motherhood and writing?" I rest my case, M'Lud. #TenTweets

— Joanne Harris (@Joannechocolat) July 8, 2015