Quote:
Originally Posted by Muckraker
But when I'm working with genre fiction I am more liberal in my decision-making. For instance, I have no problem changing archaic usage of the word "gay" in genre fiction. It doesn't mean what it used to and the writers I'm republishing would not choose the word if they were writing the same books today.
I also consider the audience. If I'm working on a fantasy book aimed at grade-schoolers then I'm much more concerned with grade-schoolers enjoying the book than a sixty-year-old purist reading it for nostalgia. If the purist wants to read the original text then they can track it down and read that. I republish genre fiction for the same audience it was originally published for--and that is not detail-oriented, literary purists.
That being said, I've only actually made these types of changes in a few of the many books I've published. I rewrote some racist stuff in a kid's fantasy book but I left a three-page-quote, where the speaker uses the "n" word about a dozen times, in another book because it was appropriate to the setting. I clearly noted in the sales material and blurbs that the fantasy book had been changed. I clearly noted in the editor's note on the other book that there was racially sensitive material and I justified why I left it alone and why I felt the book was still worth republishing. I always include all the text I've changed in its original form in the appendix.
When I started my company I did have the whole "previously published work is golden" mindset. I don't think like that now though. Those writers, editors, and publishers were people just like me. I have confidence in myself as a writer, publisher and editor and I clearly communicate my decisions to readers. If a reader really wants a sci-fi novel where the aliens wear "gay" clothes then they are more than welcome to not read the books I republish.
If you strongly feel something should be changed then change it, justify your choices, and toss the unchanged lines in an appendix. The original editors would make changes if they were editing these works today. If you think they wouldn't then you are basically saying they are incompetent, and if you don't make changes you can strongly justify then you are basically saying you are unqualified to edit or publish work in the first place.
As I said, though, this is coming from someone who primarily republishes obscure genre fiction. And I haven't changed text in 95% of the books I've republished. But when I do change text I know I'm making the correct decision. Some people may ask, "who are you to say?" Well, I'm me--a writer, editor, and publisher that is good at what he does.
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Have to agree with BeccaPrice about avoiding stuff micro-managed by over-picky editing that comes over as arrogant as well... would appreciate knowing name of micro-publishing company to ensure I avoid like the plague... I am quite capable of interpreting older fiction and non-PC styles for myself... do I want them screwed with - NO - if the material isn't good enough for the reader to bypass possibly inappropriate material without problems then I don't want to bother with it at all...