Ruth de Jauregui's Blog, page 2
June 14, 2013
Why Do I Have Categories Based on Race/Ethnicity/Humanity?
I was recently explaining to someone on Facebook why a series would be in a certain category and thought, "Hey, I should also post this explanation to the blog on Alien Star Books!"
Here's what I told him: I should explain, the books are sorted by the main character(s)'s race/ethnicity/humanity so our kids can read books with protagonists that they can relate to. A resistant reader might never pick up a book featuring John Carter or Harry Potter or Bella Swan, but he/she might read a book with a main character that shares his/her race/ethnicity/cultural background. For example, my sister (science teacher) had a student who picked up a book about George Washington Carver, looked at his picture and asked in disbelief "He was Black??" She told the kid yes. And this child who was definitely resistant to reading picked up that book and read it cover to cover. BINGO! There we have it!
Her experience explains exactly why this website exists, so our kids and parents, caregivers, homeschoolers and teachers can find books that teens and young adults of Color can relate to. And then we give them more choices, so if they like a certain genre, maybe they'll look farther than the original category and read!
This is all about using every tool we can find to help our kids read -- and of course, promote my favorite genres -- Science Fiction and Fantasy!
Here's what I told him: I should explain, the books are sorted by the main character(s)'s race/ethnicity/humanity so our kids can read books with protagonists that they can relate to. A resistant reader might never pick up a book featuring John Carter or Harry Potter or Bella Swan, but he/she might read a book with a main character that shares his/her race/ethnicity/cultural background. For example, my sister (science teacher) had a student who picked up a book about George Washington Carver, looked at his picture and asked in disbelief "He was Black??" She told the kid yes. And this child who was definitely resistant to reading picked up that book and read it cover to cover. BINGO! There we have it!
Her experience explains exactly why this website exists, so our kids and parents, caregivers, homeschoolers and teachers can find books that teens and young adults of Color can relate to. And then we give them more choices, so if they like a certain genre, maybe they'll look farther than the original category and read!
This is all about using every tool we can find to help our kids read -- and of course, promote my favorite genres -- Science Fiction and Fantasy!
April 5, 2013
I'm the Guest Blogger!
I was invited by author Alicia McCalla to write a blog post about Alien Star Books! Of course I was delighted to talk about this labor of love and how it all came about. Check it out:
http://www.aliciamccalla.com/index.php/137-guest-blog-alien-star-book-has-a-multicultural-mission
!
LOL, I do tend to rant a bit about the topic, in part because I can relate to how it feels to be unrepresented in science fiction. When I came up, there were very few female protagonists in science fiction, let alone Native American protagonists of any sex. Even today, when I peruse the science fiction section at the bookstore, I rarely see another woman looking for books -- well, except for the Twilight fans. My sister has actually had men comment on how unusual it is to see a woman who reads sci-fi.
Well, I've been a fan of science fiction since I was old enough to pick up at book and read it. You see, I was pretty young, but I remember seeing the first man on the moon, on our static-filled, grainy, black and white television. When I saw that we were in space, and I discovered science fiction, I was through. And then, when I was in the 8th grade, a teacher read to us from The Hobbit every day after lunch. Yes, I was hooked for life.
Anyway, I'd like to invite you to come over, meet Alicia, check out her website and books, and read about Alien Star Books!
Have a great day my friends, I'm going to get to work and immerse myself in writing about gardening. The bills must be paid, you know!
LOL, I do tend to rant a bit about the topic, in part because I can relate to how it feels to be unrepresented in science fiction. When I came up, there were very few female protagonists in science fiction, let alone Native American protagonists of any sex. Even today, when I peruse the science fiction section at the bookstore, I rarely see another woman looking for books -- well, except for the Twilight fans. My sister has actually had men comment on how unusual it is to see a woman who reads sci-fi.
Well, I've been a fan of science fiction since I was old enough to pick up at book and read it. You see, I was pretty young, but I remember seeing the first man on the moon, on our static-filled, grainy, black and white television. When I saw that we were in space, and I discovered science fiction, I was through. And then, when I was in the 8th grade, a teacher read to us from The Hobbit every day after lunch. Yes, I was hooked for life.
Anyway, I'd like to invite you to come over, meet Alicia, check out her website and books, and read about Alien Star Books!
Have a great day my friends, I'm going to get to work and immerse myself in writing about gardening. The bills must be paid, you know!
January 24, 2013
Off Topic -- I published a small cookbook!
Yes, I finally finished the first in a series of small cookbooks, built around winter holiday menus. It's available on Amazon as a paperback or ebook, and on Smashwords in several formats, including PDF if you prefer to print it out. Click on the image to check it out.
Kindle edition
Text-to -Speech enabled
Smashwords edition
Kindle editionText-to -Speech enabled
Smashwords edition
December 13, 2012
We Have a Facebook Group!
I started a Facebook group, Alien Star Books, so authors and readers have a place to meet and talk about science fiction and fantasy books intended for teens and young adults of Color, as well as sci-fi and fantasy in general. All are welcome, although I will do some gentle moderation if necessary to keep the group on track. Come and check us out at
http://www.facebook.com/groups/296472730472874/
.
September 12, 2012
Gene Roddenberry on Star Trek
"
Star Trek
was an attempt to say that humanity will reach maturity and wisdom on the day that it begins to not just tolerate, but take a special delight in differences in ideas and differences in lifeforms." Gene Roddenberry
I love it!
Science fiction gives us the vision of a better future -- where a woman can be the captain of a spaceship or a young Black man can dream to be President -- and look where we are today! If we've come this far in the last 50 years, how much farther can we go?
Sci-fi gives us dreams of the future, let's share those dreams/fantasies/realities with all of our Brothers and Sisters!
I love it!
Science fiction gives us the vision of a better future -- where a woman can be the captain of a spaceship or a young Black man can dream to be President -- and look where we are today! If we've come this far in the last 50 years, how much farther can we go?
Sci-fi gives us dreams of the future, let's share those dreams/fantasies/realities with all of our Brothers and Sisters!
August 7, 2012
Once Again, Why Do We Need POC Protagonists?
I know, I know, it really shouldn't matter -- except that nearly all protagonists fit the mold of John Carter of Mars. White Anglo-Saxon Protestant males prevail in nearly all fiction. In teen fiction, especially fantasy, there's a whole lotta red-headed girls and handsome young (White) boys. Now, yes, a lot of the fantasy is based on Celtic legend, but you know, there's more to the world than Ireland. No cap on Ireland, I enjoy a good epic or urban fantasy as well as the next fan. But there's a whole world out there, why does darn near every story have to focus on one little island?
And then there's the ongoing idiocy in our world. Color doesn't matter? REALLY? Then why is there all this drama about darling little Gabby Douglas, Olympic gold medal winner, and her hair. Her hair? Are you kidding me? This brilliant young gymnast, with a smile that catches you and makes you smile too, the first African American to take the gold in gymnastics, and people are worried about her HAIR? Hello, she's BLACK! Her hair has a different texture, it's been relaxed and it's not going to be the same as some little blonde's fine, wispy do. It's just not. Get real!
Look, if people are having drama about an outstanding Olympic athlete's hair, then we still have a problem. And yes, I'm sad to say that some who've been most critical are Black.
Science fiction and fantasy can look past all the drama of today, bringing our kids exciting stories with good role models -- heroes and heroines that break today's cast-in-stupidity molds and sweep the reader into a future where diversity (and hair) is accepted as normal and natural.
That's just one reason why it's so important to have protagonists of Color. Not the wingman, not the sidekick, not the secondary characters -- I'm talking about the main characters. I want my kid to enjoy rip-roaring sci-fi novels, envisioning himself as that young Black/Mexican/Welsh/Italian/Native American hero that's busting those bad guys' behinds and saving the Universe!
And then there's the ongoing idiocy in our world. Color doesn't matter? REALLY? Then why is there all this drama about darling little Gabby Douglas, Olympic gold medal winner, and her hair. Her hair? Are you kidding me? This brilliant young gymnast, with a smile that catches you and makes you smile too, the first African American to take the gold in gymnastics, and people are worried about her HAIR? Hello, she's BLACK! Her hair has a different texture, it's been relaxed and it's not going to be the same as some little blonde's fine, wispy do. It's just not. Get real!
Look, if people are having drama about an outstanding Olympic athlete's hair, then we still have a problem. And yes, I'm sad to say that some who've been most critical are Black.
Science fiction and fantasy can look past all the drama of today, bringing our kids exciting stories with good role models -- heroes and heroines that break today's cast-in-stupidity molds and sweep the reader into a future where diversity (and hair) is accepted as normal and natural.
That's just one reason why it's so important to have protagonists of Color. Not the wingman, not the sidekick, not the secondary characters -- I'm talking about the main characters. I want my kid to enjoy rip-roaring sci-fi novels, envisioning himself as that young Black/Mexican/Welsh/Italian/Native American hero that's busting those bad guys' behinds and saving the Universe!
July 14, 2012
How do I sort the books out?
Honestly, sometimes it's very arbritrary. Other times, I spend a significant amount of time looking up information.
For example, the Roma or Romani, also known as gypsies. The Roma live all over the world, with significant populations in Asia, Europe and the Americas. From what I understand, however, the Roma were originally from the Indian subcontinent. Generally, peoples from that area are considered either Asian or East Indian. Therefore, I placed the Rob Thurman books featuring Roma protagonists onto the Asian & Pacific Islander page. And by the way, in many places, "gypsy" is not a nice name, although here in the States many Roma have accepted and use the word -- but not all. So there's always a fine line to tread when addressing someone's race/ethnicity/nationality.
As another example, how do you place a mixed race protagonist? Well, that depends. In the United States, while a person may be of mixed race, if they're part Black, they're considered Black. If they're part Native American, especially if they're a registered member of the tribe, all the rest doesn't matter, they're Native American.
And why did I place Jewish, Arabic and Middle Eastern peoples all into a Middle Eastern page? Well, the Middle East is a region. However, the Jewish peoples that I personally know, no matter what their race, ethnicity, national origins or religious beliefs all relate themselves to Israel in one way or another. As I didn't want to put Jewish fantasy or sci-fi on the Everybody Else page, I made a command decision and put them onto the Middle Eastern page.
People take great pride in their heritage and race/ethnicity, so I just do the best that I can. What a person looks like, plus how he/she self-identifies is an important part of our culture, for both a Person of Color and the surrounding society. Naturally, everyone is free to disagree with me and if you have a great argument why I'm wrong, well, let me know. Maybe I am and I need to move those books to a different page!
For example, the Roma or Romani, also known as gypsies. The Roma live all over the world, with significant populations in Asia, Europe and the Americas. From what I understand, however, the Roma were originally from the Indian subcontinent. Generally, peoples from that area are considered either Asian or East Indian. Therefore, I placed the Rob Thurman books featuring Roma protagonists onto the Asian & Pacific Islander page. And by the way, in many places, "gypsy" is not a nice name, although here in the States many Roma have accepted and use the word -- but not all. So there's always a fine line to tread when addressing someone's race/ethnicity/nationality.
As another example, how do you place a mixed race protagonist? Well, that depends. In the United States, while a person may be of mixed race, if they're part Black, they're considered Black. If they're part Native American, especially if they're a registered member of the tribe, all the rest doesn't matter, they're Native American.
And why did I place Jewish, Arabic and Middle Eastern peoples all into a Middle Eastern page? Well, the Middle East is a region. However, the Jewish peoples that I personally know, no matter what their race, ethnicity, national origins or religious beliefs all relate themselves to Israel in one way or another. As I didn't want to put Jewish fantasy or sci-fi on the Everybody Else page, I made a command decision and put them onto the Middle Eastern page.
People take great pride in their heritage and race/ethnicity, so I just do the best that I can. What a person looks like, plus how he/she self-identifies is an important part of our culture, for both a Person of Color and the surrounding society. Naturally, everyone is free to disagree with me and if you have a great argument why I'm wrong, well, let me know. Maybe I am and I need to move those books to a different page!
June 24, 2012
I'm always looking for new books!
I'd love for new authors (and old) as well as readers to send me more books that you think are a good fit for this website. While my focus is on Teens and Young Adults of Color, there's a place for every protagonist here. After all, a good book is a good book! Shoot me an e-mail if you like:
alienstarbooks@yahoo.com
.
And hey, have a great day!
And hey, have a great day!
May 29, 2012
What am I reading this week?
Well, I'm always reading so sometimes it's more like, what didn't I read?
Last week I read Storm Over Warlock , Trash , Rosemary and Rue (I MUST get this author's books posted, they're pretty darn good!), Snow White in New York (two minutes to read, an hour to pore over the art -- it's just wonderful), several short stories from a new author -- I hope he's going publish them soon, and a couple of other books that I have to get up and go into my room to see the titles, so maybe I'll update this tomorrow.
This week I'm rereading Ordeal in Otherwhere , Android at Arms and the Wraiths of Time , the new Sunset magazine, and I'll probably read Forerunner Foray just to finish off the Warlock trilogy. And you know, I'm not sure what I'll read after that. I have one of the newer Dune novels, but upon looking at the inside, there's two books before it, so I think I'll hold off until I have the other books. I HATE starting in the middle of a series!
I've added several books and/or reviews to the website, so do keep checking back to see what's new. Oh, I know, Howard Night's The Serpent Cult is now available on Kindle as well as Nook! I knew I was forgetting something, sorry Howard!
In any case, it's midnight, so I think it's time to turn into a pumpkin and go to bed. The Chihuahua is barking at me, saying, "It's time Mommy!"
Last week I read Storm Over Warlock , Trash , Rosemary and Rue (I MUST get this author's books posted, they're pretty darn good!), Snow White in New York (two minutes to read, an hour to pore over the art -- it's just wonderful), several short stories from a new author -- I hope he's going publish them soon, and a couple of other books that I have to get up and go into my room to see the titles, so maybe I'll update this tomorrow.
This week I'm rereading Ordeal in Otherwhere , Android at Arms and the Wraiths of Time , the new Sunset magazine, and I'll probably read Forerunner Foray just to finish off the Warlock trilogy. And you know, I'm not sure what I'll read after that. I have one of the newer Dune novels, but upon looking at the inside, there's two books before it, so I think I'll hold off until I have the other books. I HATE starting in the middle of a series!
I've added several books and/or reviews to the website, so do keep checking back to see what's new. Oh, I know, Howard Night's The Serpent Cult is now available on Kindle as well as Nook! I knew I was forgetting something, sorry Howard!
In any case, it's midnight, so I think it's time to turn into a pumpkin and go to bed. The Chihuahua is barking at me, saying, "It's time Mommy!"
May 19, 2012
Views are increasing!
By noon today, I had over 800 views of the website. That's JUST for today!
I'm delighted by the positive responses I've received and the increasing number of views. Considering that I just went live on April 8th, the website is doing very well.
When I went looking for books for my son, I realized how badly we as parents, caregivers, teachers, educators and/or homeschoolers need a central location for Teens and Adults of Color to find good reading materials featuring protagonists of Color.
My little niche is Science Fiction and Fantasy, but if you're reading this and saying "Hey!" there's plenty of room over in Mysteries, Westerns, Suspense, Horror and so on.
In fact, if you decide to start a similar website in another genre and want to be a "sister site," I'm all good with that, I'll be happy to add your information under Resources, referring those who are looking for other genres to go and check your website out.
In any case, the views are going up and that's pretty darn awesome!
I'm delighted by the positive responses I've received and the increasing number of views. Considering that I just went live on April 8th, the website is doing very well.
When I went looking for books for my son, I realized how badly we as parents, caregivers, teachers, educators and/or homeschoolers need a central location for Teens and Adults of Color to find good reading materials featuring protagonists of Color.
My little niche is Science Fiction and Fantasy, but if you're reading this and saying "Hey!" there's plenty of room over in Mysteries, Westerns, Suspense, Horror and so on.
In fact, if you decide to start a similar website in another genre and want to be a "sister site," I'm all good with that, I'll be happy to add your information under Resources, referring those who are looking for other genres to go and check your website out.
In any case, the views are going up and that's pretty darn awesome!
