FILL: Separating the author and the work?

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original Posting 23 August 2009

Just mulling this, and thought I'd put some thoughts out here. There's a part of me that doesn't want to support some authors, and yet...

Now there's a hard question for writers. What is the connection between the author and the art? Does it matter whether the author is ... male, female, young, old, pick your shade, pick your favorite (or unfavorite) sexual orientation, religious linkage, philosophical thinking, political party, what have you? I have to admit, I tend to think that once the work is out there, it should stand somewhat apart from the author. Who the author is shouldn't be as important as what the work says. But...

Over here on Tor.com, there's an article pondering the connection between the artist and the art. And it's a good question. What if a writer (or film maker, etc.) argues that his selection of all male authors in the anthology was not prejudice? Does this mean the stories aren't good? Or what about someone who takes a stance on homosexuality or other affairs that doesn't match your beliefs? Does this mean their writing is no good? Do you buy based on the person or the writing? When does it cross the line?

http://www.tor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=blog&id=51212

It's kind of interesting to notice that in conferences and such, there is deliberate effort taken to make the reviewing "blind" -- names are removed, and so forth, so that in theory one is just looking at the content, the whole content, and nothing but the content.

Is who wrote it more important than what's in it? Can you separate the work from the author?