![]() For several years I couldn’t go into a bookshop. From this position of privilege I experienced a prolonged and profound sense of shame and failure because after the success of my debut novel, Brick Lane, each subsequent book was largely met with scorn or bemusement by reviewers. ![]() While prejudice and disadvantage persist in “the real world,” in the literary world we BAME writers (that’s Black and Minority Ethnic folk) are insulated by liberals falling over themselves to provide us with feather beds and glittering prizes. It’s a role that, over the years, I’ve resisted as well. I didn’t want to be the angry brown woman.” What did you say, I asked her? “Nothing,” she said. Yes, the other writer said, but you’re brown and you’re a woman. My friend pointed out there were many strong contenders. She was congratulated by another writer who assured her she’d be shortlisted. A novelist friend was recently on a long list for a book prize. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been told, directly or indirectly, that as a brown person I’m the lucky beneficiary of positive discrimination. The writing doesn’t have to be any good as long as you’re black or a minority, they’ll publish you anyway.” She smiled. “Hey, listen,” she said, “have you heard-apparently Random House has a new policy of publishing ethnic writers. After a few minutes chat, not wanting to be late, I said I had to go. I was on my way to a meeting when I bumped into an old acquaintance.
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