Publishers Weekly
09/05/2022
Das (Poignant Song: The Life and Music of Lakshmi Shankar), who teaches a course on writing about social issues, shows what great social justice writing looks like in this insightful how-to. While writing about social issues can take lots of forms, Das notes, it always requires thoughtful intention: “Ethics are not ancillary to craft but, in fact, critical to the craft of writing.” Das offers guiding questions (“What can you do to prepare your subjects for any positive and negative attention the piece might attract to them?”) and dives into aspects of craft that activists-cum-writers face, including analyzing one’s motivations for writing about a topic; distinguishing between reportage, personal narrative, and a hybrid approach; and conducting research (writers from outside a community should consider having a community member read a finished piece for accuracy, she suggests). Essays by James Baldwin, Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, Imani Perry, and Alice Wong, among others, show Das’s tips in action and speak to the power of writing about marginalized communities. Through concise language and well-chosen excerpts, Das delivers a one-of-a-kind writing guide that’s pitch-perfect for her niche. Activists ready to put pen to paper won’t want to miss this. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
Through concise language and well-chosen excerpts, Das delivers a one-of-a-kind writing guide that’s pitch-perfect for her niche. Activists ready to put pen to paper won’t want to miss this.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Das’s rare gift is her ability to demystify a subject of so much anxiety and debate.”
—Ali Sharpe, LIBER
“A useful primer for writers who are newer to writing about social change, regardless of their overall writing experience . . . Those steeped in social justice discourse will encounter many familiar concepts and references, all of which can lead to new or deepened insights upon being revisited.”
—Hippocampus Magazine
“Craft and Conscience is that rigorously researched and lushly written ‘How-to’ book that every single human who has dared to write needs in our lives. . . . Rarely do we get books that encourage readers to reconsider how we read and write. Intellectually and soulfully invigorating.”
—Kiese Laymon, author of Heavy
“A gift to writers and justice seekers everywhere! Craft and Conscience is a handbook for how to wield words to shape culture and inspire change.”
—Valarie Kaur, civil rights leader and author of See No Stranger
“Das constructs a vocabulary, a methodology, and an ethics for socially engaged writing, while bringing together a staggering range of writers and issues. . . . This book has restored my faith in the written word.”
—Lacy M. Johnson, author of The Reckonings
“Das gathers up a wide-ranging and whip-smart array of thinkers while serving us a feast of timely advocacy and learning.”
—Aimee Nezhukumatathil, author of World of Wonders
“Kavita Das has assembled a vital primer on writing with purpose, a guidebook that our turbulent times demand.”
—Jabari Asim, author of We Can’t Breathe
“A book of phenomenal intelligence, generosity, and wisdom, and indispensable for the classroom and for anyone who wants to make words matter.”
—Marie Mutsuki Mockett, author of American Harvest
“Brilliant! A must-read for anyone who cares deeply about social and political issues and wants to make their own voice heard.”
—Laurie Gwen Shapiro, author of The Stowaway
“Kavita Das orients us with great precision to the many contradictory considerations that nonfiction writers face. . . . I found myself reading and nodding in agreement, thinking: yes, that’s exactly right!”
—Daisy Hernández, author of The Kissing Bug
“A fascinating and forceful guide to stepping up and speaking out on the page.”
—Susan Shapiro, author of The Byline Bible
“An instructive guide for writers hoping to move the needle.”
—Matthew Salesses, author of Craft in the Real World
“Kavita Das’s book is part how-to, part call to action. . . . It is more needed than ever.”
—S. Mitra Kalita, founder and publisher of Epicenter NYC and cofounder of URL Media
“For writers seeking guidance on how to write about social justice with compassion and insight.”
—Tanaïs, author of In Sensorium
Library Journal
10/01/2022
Activist and nonfiction writing instructor Das (Poignant Song) provides a writing guide that serves a dual purpose. First, she dispenses practical advice for writers, such as avoiding the pitfalls of cliché and self-promotion. Second, she compiles a large selection of essays by authors who write about social issues. The essays include works by Das and others, including George Orwell, Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, Imani Perry, and James Baldwin. The topics covered include violence against Black Africans, settler colonialism, and discrimination influenced by Indian caste at a large company in California. Writing about current social issues presents unique challenges for writers, such as avoiding cultural appropriation and examining one's motives and intentions. However, the craft requires some of the critical techniques used in other forms of writing, including balancing content with the interests of the reader, and the delicate walk between context and narrative. Das does not back down from current issues, including taking on the anti-vaccination movement. VERDICT This guide for the socially conscious writer will be helpful for those writing about marginalized communities. It's also a solid collection of American perspectives on social-sciences writing.—Jeffrey Meyer
