Where Does the #OwnVoices Tag Fit in Fantasy? || Let’s Talk Bookish

Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly meme, hosted by Rukky @ Eternity Books & Dani @ Literary Lion, where we discuss certain topics, share our opinions, and spread the love by visiting each other’s posts. It’s supposed to be posted on Friday, but being on time is hard and it’s better late than never.

This week’s topic is a freebie, so I wanted to discuss the #ownvoices tag and where it fits into fantasy, which is the genre I read the most and absolutely love.

I thought I knew what #ownvoices meant, but there’s been some pushback lately from authors that has given me pause and made me stop to think about how we tag #ownvoices works. Particularly, for me, this tweet started it all:

Hmmm…I see the #ownvoices hashtag is being used for BLACK SUN but FYI it’s epic Fantasy set in imaginary places that yes, are inspired by Pre-Columbian Americas but no, it is not #ownvoices, any more than European-inspired epic Fantasy is #ownvoices for white authors.

— Rebecca Roanhorse mostly on hiatus (@RoanhorseBex) July 10, 2020

This is a pretty big discussion to tackle, so let’s start small, with what #ownvoices even means in the first place.

What does #ownvoices mean?

#Ownvoices was coined by Corinne Duyvis in 2015. She made a tweet, struck with inspiration, and wham, a movement was born. Little did she know, I’m sure. Or maybe she did. I dunno. She could be a time traveler. I’m not judging.

#ownvoices, to recommend kidlit about diverse characters written by authors from that same diverse group.

— Corinne Duyvis (@corinneduyvis) September 6, 2015

In its original context, it’s a term meant to describe the situation where a character and an author share a marginalized identity. Mostly with the intent that the identity is properly represented in a meaningful way that may not occur with authors writing about marginalized identities they don’t share. In other words, it’s a more personal look at what it’s like to live as/with [insert identity trait].

So where does #ownvoices fit in fantasy?

This is a bit of a sticky issue. I mean, in pretty much every other genre, it’s easy to see where it fits, right? It takes place in the real world, so obviously, these identities influence the characters in a real, applicable way that happens in a fictional Earth that looks enough like the real one where it makes sense, yeah?

Okay, but what about when you throw in superheroes? Or orcs? Or dragons? Or a world that’s not even reminiscent of Earth with all of the above and talking swords and gods and magic? Can, or even should, these books still be considered #ownvoices if the authors aren’t staff-wielding necromancers attempting to overthrow the Great Evil? (And if they are … call me. We should talk.)

The answer I’m going with is it’s complicated but also, yeah, if the author says it is, then probably so.

There are some situations in fantasy where it’s easy to tell where the #ownvoices comes into play—like if it’s a disability, for example. That’s translatable to almost any world, and sometimes changing the world means presenting the disability in a new light, such as the way Deeplight changes up the game on deafness. When it comes to fantasy worlds, though, the waters get a little muddier.

What about fantasy worlds based on marginalized cultures?

The lines tend to blur when we’re talking about worlds that are completely fabricated, but clearly based on a particular culture. Should these be considered #ownvoices?

Again, I’d be inclined to revert back to the author and what their intention was. There are fabulous worlds that expand on marginalized cultures, and that’s the point of them. It emphasizes cultures and beliefs, right down to sometimes food and language, except in a different world setting. However, it’s still recognizable by its real-world influence, and when it’s written by a person from that culture, it seems clear that it should be considered #ownvoices, as it’s a glimpse into a culture (albeit shrouded in fantasy) that is enriched by the author being a member of that group.

I would even go so far as to argue that any person writing about their culture could be considered #ownvoices, to a certain extent, when it’s clear that it’s a unique voice pushing a particular culture.

As Rebecca Roanhorse points out, there’s a lot of European-inspired epic fantasy, where the cultures become a conglomerate mush, and that probably wouldn’t qualify. But what about an Irish author writing about Celtic mythology and weaving in lore and language? I would absolutely consider that #ownvoices, myself.

For me, personally, the #ownvoices tag is all about calling attention to a culture or condition that is underrepresented in mainstream books in general.

The benefit, of course, is getting to read about a genuine, accurate portrayal of the author’s experience of their own culture/identity, and that in and itself is powerful, whatever form it takes.

But do marginalized authors *HAVE* to write #ownvoices stories?

I feel like the answer should obviously be no, of course not, and yet … here we are. Because Rebecca Roanhorse raised a fantastic point further down in her tweet:

From other comments in the thread, I understand the intention is good, but there’s something that feels insidious about it, like we’re not allowed to make stuff up & we can only write anthropological texts of the [insert] experience or something. I don’t care for the tag.

— Rebecca Roanhorse mostly on hiatus (@RoanhorseBex) July 10, 2020

As well-meaning as it may be, I think the bookish community has gotten so caught up on reading diverse and reading #ownvoices that they’ve tended to shoehorn marginalized authors into always writing #ownvoices stories, which isn’t always the author’s intent. Sometimes authors just want to write a world they feel, and it isn’t intended to represent their identity at all.

The big problem here is that it’s often difficult to find authors’ thoughts on whether or not their book is #ownvoices, and sometimes publishers will push the #ownvoices tag for marketing, regardless.

It definitely can muddy the waters. Even as I made the list at the bottom of this post, I had to stop and think, is this book #ownvoices? Would the author consider it as such? I honestly wasn’t sure on some of them, even though I had assumed they were #ownvoices.

Is it realistic to expect every reader/blogger to label books correctly? Probably not. Goodness knows I’m so far from perfect that I can only see it through a telescope late at night. I think it’s going to require a melding of minds, with readers trying to discern whether the author deems it #ownvoices or not, and authors understanding that readers, well-meaning or otherwise, are bound to make mistakes and might need correcting. Or gentle prodding. Sometimes with a cattle prod.

#ownvoices fantasy books I recommend

Because I can never just leave you guys hanging, can I? I would be derelict in my responsibilities. Who’s going to make your TBRs weep if not I? Who’s going to make you question how important sleep is just to catch up? Who’s going to unapologetically throw all the books … okay, wait, that one’s probably all bookish people ever, but you get my point.

Click the cover to go to Goodreads.

               

                   

TL;DR

#ownvoices is:

• A label for a book written by someone with a marginalized identity featuring a character sharing that identity.
  
• A well-intended way to uplift marginalized authors and allow them to share their stories.
  
• Meant to highlight someone writing about a lived identity rather than being written by an author who doesn’t share that identity.
  
• A call to the bookish community to broaden their horizons and read more diverse books.

#ownvoices is not:

• Foolproof or without its drawbacks and limitations.
  
• Always an apt title for all books written by marginalized authors.
  
• A new label to shoehorn marginalized authors into when they make it clear that’s not their intent.

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