Authenticity and the Public Literary Self: Will The ‘Real’ Author Please Stand Up

This book is the first book-length study on how authors of color present themselves in public literary discourse. It utilizes data obtained from and around exemplary empirical case study participants, Junot Diaz, Madeleine Thien, and Mohsin Hamid, and employs a combined theoretical framework of discourse analysis and interactional sociolinguistics. The study seeks to discover how authors of color negotiate themselves in public spheres, including digital social media platforms, in order to accomplish 'authenticity discursively. It is ideal for learners and practitioners in creative writing, as well as researchers in discourse analysis.

Format: Hardback
Length: 204 pages
Publication date: 29 February 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This groundbreaking book is the first comprehensive exploration of how authors of color present themselves in public literary discourse. Drawing upon extensive data obtained from and surrounding exemplary empirical case study participants, including Junot Diaz, Madeleine Thien, and Mohsin Hamid, the study employs a combined theoretical framework of discourse analysis and interactional sociolinguistics. With a keen awareness of literary and creative writing studies, Dr. Iyer delves into the intricate dynamics of author self-presentation within the digital sphere.

The theoretical approach incorporates four metapragmatic stereotypes that define what constitutes an "authentic author." These stereotypes serve as an evaluative framework, enabling the replication of findings across diverse data sets. The study's origins can be traced back to the author's personal experiences as a writer, where she became acutely aware of the challenges associated with authors' public self-presentation. The prevailing expectation to "be yourself" creates a paradoxical positioning for celebrity authors of color within literary discourse.

Driven by this realization, Dr. Iyer embarked on a quest to uncover how authors of color navigate themselves in public spheres, particularly digital social media platforms, in pursuit of achieving "authenticity discursively." Through her comprehensive study, she offers valuable insights and strategies for self-presentation as published authors, as well as for researchers in discourse analysis, including literary discourse and social media discourse.

This book is a valuable resource for learners and practitioners in creative writing who are seeking effective approaches to self-presentation in the publishing industry. It also serves as a valuable reference for researchers interested in exploring the complexities of "authenticity" in contemporary times. By examining the experiences of authors of color, this book contributes to a broader understanding of the dynamics of identity, representation, and the power of language language in shaping public discourse.

Weight: 560g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367531546