It raises the question of whether literary agents and publishers–as one group of gatekeepers and definers of zeitgeist–hold any responsibility for perpetuating stereotypes and cultural expectations? The problem isn’t whether or not sales need to suffer by deviating from good marketing, archetypal symbolism and semiotics are part of our common lexicon, but it’s changing the prevailing attitude that Americans have an inherent lack of intellectual depth and attention, like presenting an American with any sandwich other than a Big Mac means that we won’t eat it.

The Lawrence Hill and Aminatta Forna covers are just sad. It’s like visiting pharmaceutical websites with the same royalty-free images of doctors.

@D.C. Not only cold, but damp! Still, the countryside is breathtaking.