There was a bit of pushback recently when a novelist took her fellow authors to task for expressing opinions about political and social issues on social media. On one side of the argument was an author who claimed that novelists have no business openly expressing their frustrations about politics or social issues on social media where they converse with readers. This person was basically saying: authors should stay in their lane and shut up or risk alienating 50% of their readers.
On the other side were authors who felt it was their right as Americans to stand up for what they believe.
This of course can be applied to any country. But I’m American, and Americans have been overwhelmed with controversy in recent days, months, years.
I think everyone in America is hurting and angry these days. There are a lot of feelings of hopelessness and helplessness when it comes to some pretty large issues. And that is coming out in social media posts.
So, what say you? When authors express their opinions on social or political issues, do you unfollow, or do you appreciate learning their perspectives?
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Wednesday Thread: How do you feel about authors expressing opinions about political and social issues on social media?
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There was a bit of pushback recently when a novelist took her fellow authors to task for expressing opinions about political and social issues on social media. On one side of the argument was an author who claimed that novelists have no business openly expressing their frustrations about politics or social issues on social media where they converse with readers. This person was basically saying: authors should stay in their lane and shut up or risk alienating 50% of their readers.
On the other side were authors who felt it was their right as Americans to stand up for what they believe.
This of course can be applied to any country. But I’m American, and Americans have been overwhelmed with controversy in recent days, months, years.
I think everyone in America is hurting and angry these days. There are a lot of feelings of hopelessness and helplessness when it comes to some pretty large issues. And that is coming out in social media posts.
So, what say you? When authors express their opinions on social or political issues, do you unfollow, or do you appreciate learning their perspectives?