I have to laugh

[megwrites]

This brief article aboutthe changing fashion of urban fantasy heroines makes me laugh because if I don't, I might actually cry.

I love the notion that somehow, someway it's a big deal because the Tall, Blonde, Thin, Able, Straight White Woman is now wearing more sensible footwear. Of course, heavens forfend that the trend in the heroines themselves change.

Also, this paragraph tells me that Nothing Substantive Is Different:

1) Abs are in: Fantasy’s heroines are spending less time at the tattoo parlor and more time at the gym, as toned midriffs overtook tattoos as the favored accessory.

Yes, what a change! Less tattoos, more body policing and worshipping of a societally approved figure! Truly, it's a revolution in the genre as we know it!

How is it that someone will dedicate time to tracking and discussing how many zepplins/dirigibles are on the covers of these books but not how many people of color, fat people, PWD, queer or trans or genderqueer people?

Comments

[manifesta]

Oh, this is SO going in my presentation.

[holyschist]

I don't even think the assessment of the "fashions" is correct--vampire and fey boyfriends are still strong (and not only do I not think boyfriend species is a "fashion", I don't think alpha werewolf is necessarily an "improvement"), tattoos are still in (at least on covers, and they were ALWAYS on far more covers than actual descriptions of protags in the books would suggest). And I don't ever remember a big trend of PNR/UF heroines waving swords or bows and arrows (?!) around.

But yeaaaaaah, no. Cosmetic changes are not much of an improvement.

[megwrites]

Well, I'm not sure what the sample size for this was, or if they're only doing Orbit's books or what.

Because the sample may well leave out, for instance, the paranormal romance that gets shelved with romance rather than with SF/F or books by other publishers or smaller presses or what not.

They're also counting I think, not just UF/PR but other variables of fantasy novels (hence the unicorns). I know one of the dirigibles on the chart is from Cherie Priest's Boneshaker, for instance.

That said, it doesn't tend to matter to me if Urban Fantasy Barbie is getting new clothes this year and if some of her accessories are in and some are out of fashion. It's still Urban Fantasy Barbie.

[holyschist]

I am extremely fuzzy on the UF/PNR line, if it is indeed a line.

It's still Urban Fantasy Barbie.

Word.