About people who complain they cannot write such and such a book and this is a symptom of cancel culture given free rein: what I will simply say is that some years ago, I pitched a Vietnamese-influenced SFF book and was told it would never sell. (1/?)

I was told, in more or less subtle ways, that people like me shouldn't be writing SFF and certainly shouldn't be winning awards for it, the subtext being we should be grateful for scraps. (2/?)

There's much being made of free speech but I'd wager its proponents haven't had to sit at a table listening to someone tell them that people "like them" couldn't be trusted to behave.
(I have. It was like being punched in the face over and over again) (3/?)

Bigotry isn't a debate. The reason being one side thinks the other shouldn't exist or shouldn't enjoy the same rights as them (the list goes on and on and on). That's not a debate. That's violence. (4/?)

And obv bigotry leads to physical violence and physical harm. And murder.

To anyone saying it's just words: are people in the book industry really and seriously arguing that words have no power and no weight?
(of course they do)

I don't want to make it seem like I've only had bad experiences in SFF publishing--I've been lucky and privileged, people have been very welcoming. But you know, this shit still happens, and I get to smile and smile until it hurts.
(7/?)

And yes, the market has changed. The book I pitched is now saleable. Funny how some people are unhappy at this state of affairs and think it's all wrong. (8/?)

Also cancel culture mostly seems to blow up in marginalised people's faces (see: the weaponisation of the ownvoices hashtag). So the very idea it's running unchecked is *something*

Anyway, I'm still salty but I have tea. And a book to write.
In the meantime I recommend you check out books by @tadethompson @tashadrinkstea @Benjurigan @zenaldehyde @jeannette_ng @IAmSuyiDavies @kwebberwrites @deuceofgears @kacencallender @drkarenlord @ChenQiufan & others

Oh sorry forgot the awesome @cyborgyndroid

Also if you liked this thread and want to check out my books:
-sapphic romantic fantasy inspired by precolonial Vietnam: https://www.amazon.com/Fireheart-Tiger-Aliette-Bodard-ebook/dp/B088DQ5ZQN/
-heist and murder mystery in space: https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Infinities-Aliette-Bodard-ebook/dp/B08L17LFYV/ and https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seven-Infinities-Universe-Aliette-Bodard-ebook/dp/B08QBL2HCQ/
-Gothic dark fantasy: http://www.amazon.com/House-Shattered-Wings-Aliette-Bodard-ebook/dp/B00SI02L4W