Writers of popular series novels for children criticize publishers for ``correcting character weight and ethnicity expressions without permission''



It has become a hot topic that some works of the children's horror novel series `

` Goosebumps '', which has been very popular in the United States since its publication in 1992, have changed the writing expression significantly when releasing the e-book version. Initially, it was reported that the author, RL Stein , had also agreed to the revision, but Mr. Stein said, ``I never agreed to the changes in the expression that the publisher made without permission, and I was shown the changed parts. No,” he explains.

RL Stine Accuses Publisher of Censoring 'Goosebumps' Books without Permission | National Review
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/rl-stine-self-censoring-goosebumps-books-to-be-more-inclusive/



Goosebumps author sets record straight on historic edits
https://thenewdaily.com.au/entertainment/books/2023/03/07/goosebumps-author-rl-stine-edits/



Roald Dahl Publisher Relents after Backlash over Censorship | National Review
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/roald-dahl-publisher-relents-after-backlash-over-censorship-readers-will-be-free-to-choose/

In the work of British novelist Roald Dahl , known for ' The Secret of the Chocolate Factory,' which is the original of 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,' the characters' weights, Major changes to wording related to mental health, race, and gender have been announced. This change was criticized by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom, and caused a great deal of controversy to resist the movement to limit the 'freedom of expression' of writers. In February 2023, it was reported that the publisher released another version without any changes, saying, ``Readers are free to choose which version of Mr. Dahl's story they prefer.'' I was.

The Times similarly reported that the wording of 'goosebumps' was also 'changed by censorship.' A certain character in the expression in the work was written as 'plump', but it seems that it was 'cheerful' at the time of publication. In addition, the expression 'crazy' has become 'silly', and the character who was cosplaying as ' dark and stormy night ' on Halloween was written in the original sentence. Some expressions have been changed, such as changing to a form that does not use 'black face paint'. In addition, references to the character's weight, such as 'having at least a six-fold chin,' 'having a body shape resembling a bowling ball,' and 'having puffy cheeks like a squirrel,' have been removed and replaced with 'A real nut.' The slang expressions '(crazy)' and 'nutcase' have been changed to expressions such as 'wild person' and 'weirdo'.


by teakwood

'Goosebumps' has been published in more than 60 volumes since 1992, but according to the report of the American news media National Review, more than 100 edits have been added to more than ten works.

The Times first reported that the author, Mr. Stein, had agreed to the change. However, in response to the report, 'Mr. Stein and Goosebumps brought me a lot of joy during my childhood and teenage years. I'm sorry,' Mr. Stein said in response to the work fan's voice, 'This is not true. I have never changed the wording of Goosebumps, and I have never been shown any changes.' said.




Scholastic , publisher of Goosebumps, told The Times, 'We use modern language, with a particular focus on mental health, to avoid images that negatively impact how young people look today. We've made changes,' he said. It is unknown at the time of writing whether or not to release an uncensored version like Mr. Dahl's book.

GIGAZINE is also looking for manga works and manga scripts, so when I checked with the person in charge, ``Is the expression of the work rewritten arbitrarily?'', At the GIGAZINE Manga Award , `` For freelance 'Guidelines ' page, ``In communication with the manga editor, there are indications that this expression is bad and consultation that this is better, but it is always done in the meeting, and in the end, the author's opinion is given priority. It is stated that it is. Also, although the editor sometimes advises to change the expression in the work, it is said that in the meeting, 'I think that it is better to change it like this for this reason' is said without fail. .

GIGAZINE Manga Award
https://manga.gigazine.net/



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