From: (Anonymous)	Date: November 21st, 2007 01:28 pm (UTC)		(Link)

AK...sorry girl. People like this SUCK!!!!!!!

	From: rhonawestbrook	Date: November 21st, 2007 01:28 pm (UTC)		(Link)

That last comment about people sucking was me.

Stupid computer logged me out.

Sorry!

	From: snakey	Date: November 21st, 2007 01:34 pm (UTC)		(Link)

If it's worth anything: Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for "going over the line" anywhere that you have in your writing. Thank you for your sanity, decency and creation of beautiful things. Thank you for letting young people like the one I was know that not everyone shares that fuckwit's disgusting prejudices. You make the world a better place.

	From: robinmckinley	Date: November 21st, 2007 05:46 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Well thank *you*.

A few of my gay friends have said wistfully that they wished I'd write something more *centre stage* gay. It's on the *list*, you know? And I@m planning to live a long time . . . and whatever the Story Council's faults, this kind of assholery is not among them.

	From: naamah_darling	Date: November 21st, 2007 01:35 pm (UTC)		(Link)

What the . . . ?

"Develop normally"?! Oh, yes, because encouraging your child to share your particular brand of intolerance is helping them to develop normally. "Give them ideas" . . . please. Certainly, better to give children the idea that gay people are deviants who should never talk about . . . well . . . that gay thing they do.

Given the level of idiocy displayed by that individual, I am in awe of your reply. I doubt I would have been able to restrain myself from swearing, but your answer was perfect.

	From: robinmckinley	Date: November 21st, 2007 05:54 pm (UTC)		(Link)

It's way too much like what the bozos did to DEERSKIN. Don't I know that I've RUINED Lissar by allowing her to be raped? Now, what kind of message is that sending to all the girls and women out there who have been raped?

	From: papersky	Date: November 21st, 2007 01:36 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Goodness me, do people like that really exist and still manage to find their mouths with a spoon?

I don't think the gay cooties in Dragonhaven could be any milder or less offensive.

I was worried by reviews of Farthing that say I have too many gay people in it -- how many is too many? How many are you allowed? Two, I suppose, to fall in love with each other. But I see you're not even allowed two in children's books.

Dragonhaven was in the YA section of Chapters in Montreal when I bought it, if that's any comfort.

	From: pollymel	Date: November 21st, 2007 11:57 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Well, traditionally you are not allowed to have a happy gay couple, because they can be gay, but can't be, y'know, rewarded for their gayness.

Somewhat like teenagers have to be punished by the universe for having sex, or women for enjoying it.

Robin, I haven't had a chance to read Dragonhaven yet (I am in Australia, and haven't seen it here yet, thought it might be) but I get a certain glee from spotting casual alternative lifestyles in books, including YA and children's books. Once darling example is the 'boys from the wine shop' in Diana Wynne Jones's Hexwood.

	From: cheewen	Date: November 21st, 2007 01:45 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Yep. I really really can't find any words for that.
Okay, that's a lie. I rather like calling her an idiot, and I'm disgusted that anyone can think that way.

Oh, and hi! I just found your journal the other day, love your books and can't WAIT to read Dragonhaven :)

	From: avengangle	Date: November 21st, 2007 01:46 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Yes we unfortunately live in a very liberal society

This is the part that gets me. Why don't people understand that, you know, thanks to 'liberals', we don't have institutionalized enslavement of people who aren't white; women can vote and own property and go to college and all that; people are allowed to worship at the church of their choice (even if it's the church of conservatism/dominionism, OK); and, best of all, we're allowed to choose what books to read and when. (Well, okay, perhaps the fact that I am allowed to leave the house, in pants no less, and work without having to cover myself in veils is the best part. But I do really like books.)

I, for one, am glad for liberals.

(The parent's lack of commas bothers me as well.)

	From: jimhines	Date: November 21st, 2007 01:49 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Do you think they've heard about Dumbledore yet?

I love the bit, "Let them learn about it later ... if they need to." Is the hope here that the daughter won't need to learn about it at all? That we can close our eyes and all of those icky non-straight people will just go away?

I almost want you to post the e-mail address, so I can warn them away from my stuff as well. Sigh.

	From: robinmckinley	Date: November 21st, 2007 05:50 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Do you think they've heard about Dumbledore yet?

******** I was actually tempted to ask. But that would have prolonged contact.

	From: anna_bird	Date: November 21st, 2007 01:52 pm (UTC)		(Link)
	Ouch ouch ouch

Hello. I normally like to lurk and read rather than comment, but daaamn if this didn't sting!

I thought the best part is this:

Eric was fine without Jake telling of this conversation.

I dislike this even more than "we unfortunately live in a liberal society" and "let's see if they develop normally." Eric was fine? Eric was FINE? We know Jake's sexual preference (and get a much more detailed description) but Eric being gay is offensive and too much information.

I adored those 2 paragraphs on page 293. Thanks for them.

	From: ricevermicelli	Date: November 21st, 2007 01:57 pm (UTC)		(Link)

*boggles*

(On top of all the other things to boggle about - and there are lots - she thinks you have control over the jacket copy?)

I don't know that I'd have had the self-control to send that response. Or to write it.

	From: robinmckinley	Date: November 21st, 2007 06:04 pm (UTC)		(Link)

LOL!!!!!! Okay, time for light relief. Thank you! Cough cough cough hack hack ROTFL . . .

	From: manywaters	Date: November 21st, 2007 01:57 pm (UTC)		(Link)

That's appalling. Good on you.

Finally finished Sunshine today for the first time. I <3 it. The ending is just beautiful. Thank you for writing wonderful books that make me sit quietly for 5 minutes after finishing them.

	From: melissajm	Date: November 21st, 2007 11:10 pm (UTC)		(Link)

That was the first vampire book that I ever really liked.

	From: wendywoowho	Date: November 21st, 2007 01:57 pm (UTC)		(Link)

:facepalm:

She put her bigotry in writing?

And, she somehow missed that your works are open and tolerant to all people?

Jimminy.

	From: gemdol	Date: November 21st, 2007 02:01 pm (UTC)		(Link)

I suppose you have to try and be that polite, but really. *shakes head* How contemptible indeed.

	From: gemdol	Date: November 21st, 2007 02:01 pm (UTC)		(Link)

If anything, btw, this makes me want to pick up the book and read it.

	From: jennawaterford	Date: November 21st, 2007 02:04 pm (UTC)		(Link)

AAAAARGH!!!! But your reply is made of awesome.

As someone so-raised (though with the corrollary that it was the 70s/early 80s and "everybody" thought that way at the time), it is entirely possible daughter will do a massive 180 before she even hits adulthood on this topic. At least I live in hope.

	From: robinmckinley	Date: November 21st, 2007 06:07 pm (UTC)		(Link)

it is entirely possible daughter will do a massive 180 before she even hits adulthood on this topic. At least I live in hope.

************* Yep. Me too. And I always wonder when people are THIS paranoid. Eric's gayness is one third of one page in a 342 pp book. Hmmmm.

	From: ginny_t	Date: November 21st, 2007 02:05 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Ugh. Just ugh. *pours tea* People suck.

	From: fourstrongwinds	Date: November 21st, 2007 02:07 pm (UTC)		(Link)

You should tell her that Dumbledore is gay as well, and ruin the whole of Harry Potter for them. . .

I like the line "we unfortunately live in a very liberal society". Is this woman from Kansas? (Apologies to anyone who reads this and is from Kansas. I do have friends in Kansas, only one of whom lives in Lawrence).

	From: kijjohnson	Date: November 23rd, 2007 02:07 am (UTC)		(Link)

Kansas's motto is "Kansas: As Big As You Think." For years in Seattle I had a bumper sticker that said, "Kansas: As Bigoted As You Think," and people would rush up beside my car at stop lights to blow me kisses.

I did live there for a couple of years, and I was ashamed of the state. Except for Lawrence, and sometimes even there.

	From: susansugarspun	Date: November 21st, 2007 02:09 pm (UTC)		(Link)

I don't know if this helps, but your reply has made my day. I'm so glad that you stood up for your work (and stood up to that awful person) in that way!

	From: eegatland	Date: November 21st, 2007 02:10 pm (UTC)		(Link)

awwww, now you've gone and told me the ending!

as Tim always says, "The Stupid are Everywhere." I hope your day improves; I always find a good rant very cathartic.

Incidentally, The Rat Man Cometh this weekend to shoot deer on Skye.

	From: bevhale	Date: November 21st, 2007 02:15 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Arrrgggghhhh. There are still some folks who will hate without reason. I've gotten so appalled that I can't believe that I don't just go off to a desert island to get away from the idiots. My new religion is DBAA Don't be an Asshole. That is the only thing to it. No extra rules, no buildings. Just, don't do things that are done by assholes. Don't be mean, rude, hateful, prejudiced, cruel, etc. In this religion you are, however, required to tell people when they are being an asshole. So,to the woman who wrote you about gays, "Lady, don't be an asshole."

	From: redzils	Date: November 21st, 2007 02:16 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Ayiyiyiyi!

I LOVE your reply. Good on you, boo to them.

I was annoyed that I had to find your new book in "Children's" at B&N, since I am 26 and feel that I am the perfect audience. Of course that doesn't mean that 72 or 12 wouldn't ALSO be the perfect audience, but still, sheesh...

	From: eiriene	Date: November 21st, 2007 02:16 pm (UTC)		(Link)

I am in complete agreement with you about the atrocious e-mail, but I would like to point out that DRAGONHAVEN is being marketed as middle grade. Which means 9-12 sections, etc. And that's odd to me because it most definitely felt like YA; in fact, I would almost say the end with the extremely mild sex parts and the babies made it feel older than YA.

Not to take that in a bad way.. since trust me, there is plenty of sex in YA fiction nowadays, and I had no problem with them. But in terms of book tone overall, just the way you wrote them, especially the one with the pink towels... that made it seem like it really was an adult novel that had "crossover" appeal.

Nonetheless, I really liked the book. =)

	From: robinmckinley	Date: November 21st, 2007 06:29 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Golly are *you* hitting my buttons. I have spent my entire professional career KICKING against the childrens/YA label. I wrote a Newbery Medal! THEREFORE I AM A CHILDREN'S WRITER!!! Just by the way, HERO is a YA crossover book. Just by the way.

I didn't know it was being marketed as 'middle'. That is really *not on*.

I think DRAGONHAVEN is a grownup crossover book myself. Pink towels and all. Yes. Grrrrr. You wouldn't like to open a publishing house, would you? :)

	From: jenmyers	Date: November 21st, 2007 02:24 pm (UTC)		(Link)

That IS a calm, well-reasoned reply, and I applaud you for it. I would have had a hard time replying with as much dignity if I had been in your shoes.

Just for the record, although I haven't yet read Dragonhaven (I will soon! I promise!), I think it's great to introduce elements like this into fantasy, or, yes, even into CHILDREN'S books. I too am a parent, and even though my own daughter is not yet old enough to read much beyond Eric Carle books, I intend to teach her that the point of reading is to stretch and exercise one's mind, not just reinforce the sheltered prejudices already in place.

I'm glad emails like this one are a rare occurrence, but I'm also sad you have to endure them at all.

	From: goddessofbutter	Date: November 21st, 2007 09:51 pm (UTC)		(Link)

the point of reading is to stretch and exercise one's mind, not just reinforce the sheltered prejudices already in place.

exactly.

	From: thatwasjen	Date: November 21st, 2007 02:25 pm (UTC)		(Link)

That is an excellent reply. I'm impressed.

(Also? People need to learn more about how publishing works. "Please include this information in the dustcover description"? Even if you should care enough to obey, how would you manage that?)

	From: snippy	Date: November 21st, 2007 02:27 pm (UTC)		(Link)

I think 9-12 is a good place to put it. My sons needed that kind of book at that age--they were looking ahead to teenage years and wanted to know what it was going to be like. They were certainly aware of sex and different sexualities by then, too.

	From: robinmckinley	Date: November 21st, 2007 06:32 pm (UTC)		(Link)

What I object to is that the categorisation then NAILS it there.

I also do feel that it's just simply older than 9-12. That 9 to 12 year olds may read it because they're looking ahead to being teenagers is just fine, but that's different.

And the backstory is that I'm just really tired of being beat up for not having written what my categorisation says I have written.