tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944372170833142862.post905216611862595460..comments2023-03-30T11:34:58.135-04:00Comments on Istoria Books Blog: Justin Morrill, Land Grant Colleges, and, Oh Yes, Writing: A RantIstoria Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18232044419145797132noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944372170833142862.post-72053736832744776442011-04-12T08:04:04.542-04:002011-04-12T08:04:04.542-04:00When I posted a link to this blog entry at a Kindl...When I posted a link to this blog entry at a Kindle email group, the discussion was quite lively, with some folks confused over my use of the term "academic fiction" and one or two offended by Stephen King's remarks. Here was my response:<br /><br />I used the phrase "academic fiction" not to describe the entire field of literary fiction but, rather, certain books of prose (short story collections, for example, published by a professor's university press) and poetry that have few readers outside of academe. Yes, these books can also be classified as literary fiction, but I think of them as a subset of lit fic, which actually can attract a broad readership, depending on the book. Literary fiction can also be commercial fiction in that the intent of publishing it is to....make money (for the author, the publishing house). "Academic fiction's" goal seems to be to earn the admiration and discussion of academic peers. Just my observation.<br /><br />As to literary fiction itself, I believe agents and editors would say that it tends to be more character-driven (as someone pointed out) whereas genre fiction can be more plot-driven. Those are broad descriptions, though, and obviously, there are exceptions and books that blend both well in lit fic and genre fic. Literary fiction can also be popular--Marilynne Robinson's GILEAD comes to mind (what a beautiful book). I read both literary and genre fiction. I listen to both classical and pop music, too.<br /><br />As to Stephen King's comments (specifically when he said "you think you get social or academic brownie points for deliberately staying out of touch with your own culture?"): I can understand how this might seem offensive to those who don't enjoy a lot of popular culture offerings, but I don't believe he meant it that way. The key word is "deliberately" and the phrase that went before. King was referring to people who boast of not reading popular authors, making a deliberate choice to ignore them simply because they ARE popular. I've known people like this. As soon as something has the whiff of general popularity, they turn up their noses and walk away because, in their mind, if the general populace likes it, it's not good enough for them. King is talking about snobs, in other words, not connoiseurs.<br /><br />So, to review, my points are:<br /><br />Academic fiction, as I was using it, is a subset of literary fiction. Literary fiction can be commercial fiction. Academic fiction usually is not.<br /><br />Stephen King was admonishing snobs with his comments, not denigrating any reader's preference for literary over genre fiction.Libby Sternberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03251032102044756391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944372170833142862.post-44611304389813464982011-04-12T08:01:30.818-04:002011-04-12T08:01:30.818-04:00Thanks, Sia, for the comment and taking the time t...Thanks, Sia, for the comment and taking the time to read this. I posted a link to this on a Kindle email group, and it generated a lively discussion!Libby Sternberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03251032102044756391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6944372170833142862.post-26380451362546771072011-04-11T08:39:58.396-04:002011-04-11T08:39:58.396-04:00Oh, I agree, Libby. There a place for both. I'...Oh, I agree, Libby. There a place for both. I've never had any patience with those who curl their lip at modern fiction. I've read and enjoyed both. <br /><br />I was lucky with high school teachers who introduce both to our literature classes.<br /><br />I took a couple of writing classes in college. One of our assignments was to take a classic and do fan-fiction. There were two of us who made it a romance. Oh my goodness. We had to read parts of it aloud. We both had a very few falling asleep or yawning. They were entertained.<br /><br />One of the critics given was from the class said something about it being good for being a trashy romance. HUH? I was flabbergasted. My teacher stepped up and reminded the class that Hemingway, Steinbeck, Louisa May Alcott, and Jules Vernon weren't always classics. At the time they were written they were consider commercial fiction.<br /><br />I learned a lot from her about emotional impact. Both classes I took were about modern fiction writing although we didn't get into how to make a living by it.~Sia McKye~https://www.blogger.com/profile/08470562659597351033noreply@blogger.com