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Do men ever read women authors and vice versa?

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    #92
    05eaftqbrs9jlh
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,104 ✭✭✭05eaftqbrs9jlh


    [Deleted User] wrote: »
    As have I. It depends on the magazines, and the genres they're targeting. It's a business after all. Feminist driven themes are extremely popular in many of the teenage sub-fantasy genres, along with trans-sexism (especially in the whole vampire "lovestory" genre)

    I write mainstream Sci-fi/fantasy, I don't have any such things in my books, and my editor/publisher have not pushed me to add anything like that. Why? because I'm writing to the overall market, rather than a sub-genre where buyers are specifically looking for something agenda driven.

    Magazines are often aimed at being political with the submissions. Books, generally aren't.. unless it's specifically being driven by market concerns. Which is definitely a factor for some authors. And then some people want to get a particular message out.

    Writing workshops are often like that. A political/social/moral angle being driven in the background by the organisers.
    That's very insightful. I've never done a writing workshop but of course they're going to be emphasising writing about themes that the genders typically relate to. No wonder so much modern writing is totally stultified and homogenous.


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    #93
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    vriesmays wrote: »
    That's only one from 30 years ago.

    Yeah I was just using one example. Here's another example 'You Were Never Really Here'. That was recommended to me by quite a few men, including some on here. Brilliant film.


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    #94
    Widdershins
    Registered Users Posts: 10,633 ✭✭✭✭Widdershins


    What I am a devil for is being drawn by the cover.


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    #95
    tuxy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,983 ✭✭✭✭tuxy


    Canis Lupus wrote: »
    I can't say I pay attention to gender when reading. Like I have my favourites and they're male (Sanderson, Connelly) but that would be more coincidence than anything. I read books based on genre not author.

    But is it coincidence? Perhaps more men than women write about topics that interest you.


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    #96
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    [Deleted User] wrote: »
    Buster Mal Hart is a cool movie.

    But I think the fact we can only name 5 or 6 is actually proving the point.

    I think it's proving the point that women aren't afforded the same opportunities as men in Hollywood and are expected to write/direct movies more aimed at women or not at all. However when they are given a platform women make great films enjoyed by all genders.


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    #97
    EmmetSpiceland
    Registered Users Posts: 10,526 ✭✭✭✭EmmetSpiceland


    [Deleted User] wrote: »
    Yeah I was just using one example. Here's another example 'You Were Never Really Here'. That was recommended to me by quite a few men, including some on here. Brilliant film.

    Katheryn Bigalow is another top film maker.

    The tide is turning…



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    #98
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Jasper Tall Urination wrote: »
    That's very insightful. I've never done a writing workshop but of course they're going to be emphasising writing about themes that the genders typically relate to. No wonder so much modern writing is totally stultified and homogenous.

    Pretty much. The best advice I've been given is to stop concerning yourself about what other people think on how to write, and just write. It's your book. Your style. Your personality that shapes the words and pages. Copying other peoples styles will just make your work stilted and awkward.

    Which is something I find many workshops encourage... being held to a perceived set of steps needed to achieve "success". Oh, they'll claim that your writing should be unique and natural but they're just words spoken without any weight. All your admissions and projects are compared to approved material and marked... follow the steps or you're going to fail. You gotta be careful which workshops to attend. Some are really negative in how they "encourage" others.

    I feel that people are trying to "box" genres. To put rules and laws on something which should be an expression of freedom. Thank God for Self-publishing.


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    #99
    Widdershins
    Registered Users Posts: 10,633 ✭✭✭✭Widdershins


    CrankyHaus wrote: »
    Exactly. I doubt Hillary Mantel or even Margaret Atwood have much difficulty getting male readers.

    On the other hand if you're writing about Emma, a 30 something London fashion journalist with bad taste in men who has to choose between safe dependable Dave and wild darkhorse Phil but eventually settles down with caring millionaire Stelios, the reason why you lack male readers isn't because of your gender. It would be like Eamonn Dunphy complaining that no women read his football biographies because their sexist.

    Weirdly relatable


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    #100
    coffee_cake
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Politics Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 81,310 CMod ✭✭✭✭coffee_cake


    some self-published ones on amazon are so dodgy. did you not get anyone to proof read this book or run it past an editor?!

    not saying yours is, klaz. just reminded me


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    #101
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Deleted User wrote: »
    I think it's proving the point that women aren't afforded the same opportunities as men in Hollywood and are expected to write/direct movies more aimed at women or not at all. However when they are given a platform women make great films enjoyed by all genders.

    Or previously they weren't as interested? How many guys try to become successful directors but never manage any real degree of success? Does that matter?

    Anyway, it seems like these days producers have as much influence over how a movie/show develops.

    We've seen the way Hollywood has embraced the "woke" culture, and the quality of movies (and direction) has dropped considerably. I can't remember the last Hollywood movie I saw that was genuinely good. Joker was only good because most other movies of the time were damn awful.


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    #102
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    bluewolf wrote: »
    some self-published ones on amazon are so dodgy. did you not get anyone to proof read this book or run it past an editor?!

    My first book was non-fiction so I got a team to verify my facts and references. And then I asked a group of people to take apart the logic in the book. They got some things and I altered my book accordingly.

    Just because we're not going through publishing houses, doesn't mean its not vetted.

    My second book was edited both here, and in China, before it was published.
    not saying yours is, klaz. just reminded me

    I read a lot of self-published work... and most of it is junk. There are a lot of jewels too. It's an early medium. It's going to take time before some degree of QA comes into effect. Already we're seeing a move to combine self-publishing with more traditional publishing houses... so there's an element of both happening.

    It's a good step forward.


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    #103
    nkl12xtw5goz70
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,497 ✭✭✭nkl12xtw5goz70


    Deleted User wrote: »
    I think it's proving the point that women aren't afforded the same opportunities as men in Hollywood and are expected to write/direct movies more aimed at women or not at all.

    The Hollywood studios are a tough environment these days for anyone, male or female, who isn't already established. The big studios are on their knees financially, sticking to formulas they know will work (franchise movies, sequels, reboots), and also sticking with tried and trusted directors (the likes of James Cameron, J. J. Abrams, Christopher Nolan, etc.), not because they are men but because they are recognized names.

    Streaming platforms are giving women many more opportunities than the studios. About 20% of Netflix original movies are directed by women, versus about 10% of Hollywood studio movies — and the representation of female directors on streaming platforms is increasing all the time.

    The Oscars and other awards ceremonies tend to focus on the traditional male-dominated studio model, which is dying. But that doesn't mean there aren't talented female directors working outside that model and finding audiences.


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    #104
    Greyfox
    Registered Users Posts: 3,720 ✭✭✭Greyfox


    Deleted User wrote: »
    But I think the fact we can only name 5 or 6 is actually proving the point.

    It's not, it's telling you it's a bad comparison due to Hollywood been dominated by male directors


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    #105
    cj maxx
    Registered Users Posts: 13,354 ✭✭✭✭cj maxx


    CrankyHaus wrote: »
    Exactly. I doubt Hillary Mantel or even Margaret Atwood have much difficulty getting male readers.

    On the other hand if you're writing about Emma, a 30 something London fashion journalist with bad taste in men who has to choose between safe dependable Dave and wild darkhorse Phil but eventually settles down with caring millionaire Stelios, the reason why you lack male readers isn't because of your gender. It would be like Eamonn Dunphy complaining that no women read his football biographies because their sexist.
    I've just started the handmaids tale ! Based on recommendations from boards.
    ****ing women posters :(


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    #106
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Question for female boardsies:

    Any of you read Sven Hassel or similar war novelist?

    No, I haven't bought or read any female author.

    EDIT: I'm wrong: In 1996 ( blame passage of time) I bought and read 'Albert Speer: his battle with Truth' by GITTA SERENY.

    Led to believe a more up to date equivalent is:
    Albert Speer the Nazi who said sorry ( don't know the author)


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    #107
    Widdershins
    Registered Users Posts: 10,633 ✭✭✭✭Widdershins


    Deleted User wrote: »
    Question for female boardsies:

    Any of you read Sven Hassel or similar war novelist?

    No, I haven't bought or read any female author.

    I'm not sure as I forget authors names, but yes I've read many war stories.


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    #108
    storker
    Registered Users Posts: 5,644 ✭✭✭storker


    quodec wrote: »
    Reading books for nearly 50 years now and as a male, when I'm browsing books to read, I find I gravitate towards male authors as a matter of course and would hardly ever read women authors. So I'm wondering:
    1: as a male do you/have you read female authors?
    2: as a female, do you/have you read male authors?

    1. Yes but not many...but because of the book, not the author. If I'm interested in the subject then I don't care who wrote it.

    That said, I haven't read many female authors. The ones that stick in my mind are:

    Paul Mitchell Marks "And Die in the West" - The history of the OK Corral Gunfight

    Anne Rice "Interview with the Vampire". I'm also currently dipping in and out of a collection of vampire short stories all written by women.

    Mary Beard "SPQR" A history of Ancient Rome

    Shirley Jackson "The Haunting of Hill House"

    ...and the very occasional crime thriller borrowed from my wife e.g. Patricia Cornwell, Kathy Reichs.

    I would never read or reject a book based on the gender of its author, not because I'm PC or right-on, but because to assess based on gender seems pretty stupid to me.


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    #109
    lawred2
    Registered Users Posts: 24,267 ✭✭✭✭lawred2


    donegal. wrote: »
    80% of books read are by women, a very large percentage is fiction. Men mostly read biographies.

    For women the sex of the author is irrelevant but men will ONLY read male authors

    This is according to a guest on newstalk based on sales figures

    Sounds like bullshït


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    #110
    cj maxx
    Registered Users Posts: 13,354 ✭✭✭✭cj maxx


    Canis Lupus wrote: »
    I can't say I pay attention to gender when reading. Like I have my favourites and they're male (Sanderson, Connelly) but that would be more coincidence than anything. I read books based on genre not author.
    Is that the same Connelly from Bringing out the dead ? I thought it was a really excellent read, beautiful prose.
    Are his other books good iyo?


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    #111
    endacl
    Registered Users Posts: 22,231 ✭✭✭✭endacl


    quodec wrote: »
    Reading books for nearly 50 years now and as a male, when I'm browsing books to read, I find I gravitate towards male authors as a matter of course and would hardly ever read women authors. So I'm wondering:
    1: as a male do you/have you read female authors?
    2: as a female, do you/have you read male authors?



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    #112
    creditcarder
    Closed Accounts Posts: 494 ✭✭creditcarder


    I'm 50/50 but the older I get the more I seem to be turning towards male authors. I guess the life experience is just more similar to my own imo.



    I do notice that female authors have a bit of class stuff going on :P As in, a lot of mentions of wine, earl grey tea, and other elements at play to denote 'middle class'. Just somehting I noticed and not a criticism.



    I have annoyingly good soft skills and emotional intelligience, so it is interesting to read female authors, but increasingly I am getting annoyed with being portrayed as the animal in the fmeale space :P


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    #113
    creditcarder
    Closed Accounts Posts: 494 ✭✭creditcarder


    MrMusician18 wrote: »
    I'd say males never read female authors, and females never read male authors.:rolleyes: I mean ever. Yeah

    I've come across stupid questions here before, but this is up there. Ridiculous question OP. Ffs.


    It's not a stupid question. Men and women have different life experiences and notice different things and, perhaps, have a different speech pattern that comes across in writing.



    Let's not judge someobody to harshly imo.


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    #114
    creditcarder
    Closed Accounts Posts: 494 ✭✭creditcarder


    cjmc wrote: »
    I've just started the handmaids tale ! Based on recommendations from boards.
    ****ing women posters :(


    Now you can quiz them in public to see if they actually read it ;)


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    #115
    Rufeo
    Closed Accounts Posts: 503 ✭✭✭Rufeo


    ILoveYourVibes wrote: »
    Yeah but if you ARE an aspiring author ...pretend to be a white dude even if you aren't a dude or aren't white ....better safe than sorry.

    There's plenty of fine non-white authors.


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    #116
    JohnnyFlash
    Registered Users Posts: 7,055 ✭✭✭JohnnyFlash


    lawred2 wrote: »
    Sounds like bullshït

    No, it’s true. I heard the lady speak about it on the Moncrieff show. Men read more non-fiction and when they read fiction they read almost exclusively male authors.


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    #117
    creditcarder
    Closed Accounts Posts: 494 ✭✭creditcarder


    Widdershins wrote: »
    Other than porn , where her pleasure is usually faked and not the focus, is there a difference between films directed by men and women?


    If you have sex for a living I imagine you know how to get off ;)


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    #118
    vriesmays
    Registered Users Posts: 1,570 ✭✭✭vriesmays


    Greyfox wrote: »
    It's not, it's telling you it's a bad comparison due to Hollywood been dominated by male directors

    Well name some movies you like from outside the Hollywood system directed by women.


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    #119
    EmmetSpiceland
    Registered Users Posts: 10,526 ✭✭✭✭EmmetSpiceland


    JohnnyFlash wrote: »
    No, it’s true. I heard the lady speak about it on the Moncrieff show. Men read more non-fiction and when they read fiction they read almost exclusively male authors.

    It’s not though, is it, J? Not really.

    I mean, I’m sure once you’ve thumbed through your Clarkson “prick lit” you might go perusing through Eason to see if they have a McNab you haven’t read or maybe, even, an Iggulden but that’s not everyone.

    I’d say out of the last 10 books I’ve read, all fiction, 3 were by women. If a book “interests” me, I’ll read it. I’m not going to worry about the gender of the author.

    I can just imagine the Peterson types squirming and saying “ewww “ if they even had to hold a book authored by a woman but that says more about them, really.

    The tide is turning…



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    #120
    donegal_man
    Registered Users Posts: 5,703 ✭✭✭donegal_man


    As an avid reader I don't care about the author's gender, the only thing matters is whether they can tell a good story.


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    #121
    CrankyHaus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,281 ✭✭✭CrankyHaus


    EmmetSpiceland wrote: »
    It’s not though, is it, J? Not really.

    I mean, I’m sure once you’ve thumbed through your Clarkson “prick lit” you might go perusing through Eason to see if they have a McNab you haven’t read or maybe, even, an Iggulden but that’s not everyone.

    I’d say out of the last 10 books I’ve read, all fiction, 3 were by women. If a book “interests” me, I’ll read it. I’m not going to worry about the gender of the author.

    I can just imagine the Peterson types squirming and saying “ewww “ if they even had to hold a book authored by a woman but that says more about them, really.

    This is the sort of literary snobbery I came to this thread for.


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