Red Room Where the Writers Are

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Chris Goldberg’s recent article at the Huffington Post states that men, in general, simply do not read. “But is it our fault?” he asks. “Or have publishers just given up trying to publish and market books that we want to read?” A sadly self-fulfilling prophecy? It’s true that we need writers, and publishers with the balls to market them, but in this case I think change must start with the audience.

It wasn’t until college that I finished reading my first full book. As a child, I would watch my mother devour entire Danielle Steele novels weekly, appalled by the twisted logic that would bring a person to waste their time like that (with reading, not necessarily with the chosen author). I had video games to play.

Then, in college, I found Octavio Paz’s “The Blue Bouquet.” Later Chuck Palahniuk. Then Craig Clevenger. Then Brian Evenson. And on. In a land of Adult Swim cartoons and beer bongs, both of which I loved (and still do, to an extent) I discovered that there was room for books. The trick: finding something I liked.

It’s not about good TV being better than books. It’s about good TV being easier to find.

Reading doesn’t have to mean endless Victorian novels, canon classics, flowery prose, and romance. Reading can be visceral, bloody, if you like, violent, angry. In a word, reading can be Male.

Goldberg says that “…it's gotten to the point where a lot of the more business-savvy literary agents won't even bother to represent a young male novelist anymore.” This probably doesn’t mean much to the casual reader, but it should. If we don’t show that a market exists, then the publishers won’t believe that it does. Goldberg goes on to question the career potential of some of our best-selling Male authors had they been forced to debut today:

“Would Hunter S. Thompson or Kurt Vonnegut or Brett Easton Ellis or Jay McInerney or Alex Garland or Chuck Palahniuk even get book deals if their debut novels were written today? How can we make reading novels -- and writing them -- cool again for guys under thirty?”

These books, these authors, are out there (knock on my door, for fuck's sake). They just aren’t given the contracts and the shelf space. So, as we approach this new year, I have a resolution for you: make it your duty to introduce a guy to a good book. It beats spreading crabs, and it doesn’t itch as long.

Some things to keep in mind:

• This is not about promoting a book that you like. This is about opening a guy up to a book that he might like. Not you; him. Like a blowjob for his birthday.

• Be careful. Given the manly nature of dudes, it is important that you approach with reasonable nonchalance. For example. “wanna get a beer and read a book?” Notice the ninja-like verbal dexterity demonstrated by presenting the word “book” AFTER “beer.”

• Guys HATE being told what to do. Even more, they hate revealing weakness. To agree to someone else’s idea makes him feel inferior. Treat reading as an option; something to do on the off chance that he gets tired of snorting motor oil and building robots out of used car parts.

• Finally, and seriously, know what your Male friend likes and do some research on a book in line with those interests. Not a non-fiction, toilet book about sports records. A novel. Give him characters and a bit of blood.

Any other ideas? Share a comment.