J.K. Rowling Defends First-Time Author After A Guy Mansplains Her Book To Her
We can only imagine the late-nights locked away in the study, endless cups of coffee, months of writer's block, re-writes, edits and tears a writer must endure to produce a literary masterpiece.
So, imagine the horror we felt today when we learned first-time author Laura Kalbag recently felt the need to apologise for having posted a picture to Twitter, sharing the happy news her book was finally available for pre-order.
Last week, Kalbag inoffensively tweeted: 'If you missed it: I've written a book! It's coming out very soon, sign up to get it first', along with a link to order a copy.
this tweet is such a breathtakingly perfect textbook ACTUALLY that I'm almost impressed pic.twitter.com/BWVT083JJW
- Leah Reich (@ohheygreat) August 19, 2017
Sadly, Germany typographer Erik Spiekermann proceeded to mansplain (when a guy explains something to someone, typically a woman, in a manner patronising or condescending way even way he has little to no knowledge/experience of said topic) the fact that no, she didn't write a 'book', rather a 'text'.
'Actually, you wrote a text,' he tweeted, reports Glamour. 'It took a few other people & skills to make that into a book.'
Writer Leah Reich shared a screenshot of the exchange, including Spiekermann's now-deleted post.
Now, we all know that when Kalbag said she 'wrote' a book, she didn't exactly mean she printed, copy-edited, published and leather bound the book. She used the term 'writing a book', in the same way we'd say that Virginia Woolf wrote To The Lighthouse, or Jane Austen wrote Pride and Prejudice.
Spiekermann's remark was condescending, disrespectful and plain idiotic - a fact several of Kalbag's followers were keen to point out.
of course not. But people do not realize what it takes to make a book, beyond writing it. It does not fall out of the back of your computer.
- erik spiekermann (@espiekermann) August 19, 2017
Gosh I'm so glad you clarified, I thought for sure they grew on trees!
- Geri Coady (ジェリー) (@hellogeri) August 19, 2017
Yes a lot of people behind the publishing of a book don't get recognized, but your comment was derogatory to the author who invested 3 yrs
- Craig Dunn (@crayfishX) August 19, 2017
She said she wrote a book, she didn't say she made a book. Also wtf is your problem? CONGRATS LAURA THAT'S AMAZING! @laurakalbag
- Nat Cuddy (@picklepickle87) August 19, 2017
Sadly, amid the uproar regarding Spiekermann's comment, Kalbag felt the need to apologise for her original message and not using what Spierkmann deemed to be 'correct' language.
Sorry, I’m so new, I’m still learning the correct language. Nothing I wrote, let alone the book, would be worthwhile without other people.
- Laura Kalbag (@laurakalbag) August 18, 2017
Fortunately, J.K.Rowling piped up to assure Kalbag that she deserves to be proud of writing a book. Because, you know, that's what she did.
Congratulations on writing your first book, Laura. Other people edited, copyedited, proofread, printed and bound it. You wrote. Be proud x
- J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 19, 2017
Author Roxanne Gay also shared her support for the new writer.
You absolutely wrote a book. And congratulations on the accomplishment.
- roxane gay (@rgay) August 19, 2017
In an interview with Teen Vogue, Kalbag revealed the entire Twitter exchange left her feel 'really embarrassed'.
'If I saw a similar tweet from a man to another woman, I would probably call it mansplaining,' she told the publication.
'As others have pointed out, he hasn't tweeted the same thing to a man who has written a book. I don't believe Erik chose to nitpick my language consciously because I am a woman, but sometimes our biases can reveal themselves in this way. I'm also aware that English is not his first language, so the tweet may not have come out exactly as he intended.
If I saw a similar tweet from a man to another woman, I would probably call it mansplaining
'All that said, what he called me out on wasn't factually correct. In English, we do say 'write a book.' But it still made me question myself. Especially given his standing in the design industry. I felt really embarrassed,' she added.
It didn't take long for Spiekermann to realise his major error in attempting to mansplain writing to a writer.
Ok, everybody. I wrote a bad tweet with a bad choice of words at the wrong time. Will never do click “send” so quickly again. Sorry, Laura!
- erik spiekermann (@espiekermann) August 19, 2017
Well, Kalbag, we for one can't wait to read your book.
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