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Syns jag nu? : Om kommunikationen kring homosexualitet i svenska ungdomsböckers paratexter

Plathner, Aude LU (2015) FBMK11 20151
Publishing Studies
Abstract
In 2012, one of the most outstanding trends in the Swedish children’s book market, according to the Swedish institute for children’s books, where books that incorporated other sexualities then heterosexuality. Even if this rapport might seem a bit exaggerated, the actual number of books that featured homosexuality according to Swedish institute for children’s books own catalogue were only seven, it shows of the importance to study how Swedish publishing companies communicates regarding this, rather new, section of their publishing.
In order to do so i have chosen to analyse three major paratexts in the physical books cover, the front cover, the jacket blurb and different quotes that features the cover. My main theory is a mix between... (More)
In 2012, one of the most outstanding trends in the Swedish children’s book market, according to the Swedish institute for children’s books, where books that incorporated other sexualities then heterosexuality. Even if this rapport might seem a bit exaggerated, the actual number of books that featured homosexuality according to Swedish institute for children’s books own catalogue were only seven, it shows of the importance to study how Swedish publishing companies communicates regarding this, rather new, section of their publishing.
In order to do so i have chosen to analyse three major paratexts in the physical books cover, the front cover, the jacket blurb and different quotes that features the cover. My main theory is a mix between literary theorist Gerard Genette’s ideas about paratext, queer theorist Tiina Rosenbergs thoughts about visualization and repression in a heteronormative society and Gary Armstrong and Philip Kotlers marketing theories.
The study shows that there is a lot of problematic aspects regarding the way publishing companies chooses to communicate about homosexuality in the book covers. The main issue seems to be a high level of invisibility, where the characters sexuality is hidden from the reader. There is also a high rate of covers which uses a form of (in)visability in their communication. The homosexuality only visible to a reader who actively searches for it. In some ways, the way the sexuality is shown seems to be in correlation with the marketing strategy that the publishing company seemingly have used. A broad target section often indicates a higher insvisibility, whereas a smaller target section. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Plathner, Aude LU
supervisor
organization
course
FBMK11 20151
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
homosexualitet, ungdomsböcker
language
Swedish
id
7791272
date added to LUP
2015-11-30 12:00:42
date last changed
2018-04-12 10:00:50
@misc{7791272,
  abstract     = {{In 2012, one of the most outstanding trends in the Swedish children’s book market, according to the Swedish institute for children’s books, where books that incorporated other sexualities then heterosexuality. Even if this rapport might seem a bit exaggerated, the actual number of books that featured homosexuality according to Swedish institute for children’s books own catalogue were only seven, it shows of the importance to study how Swedish publishing companies communicates regarding this, rather new, section of their publishing. 
In order to do so i have chosen to analyse three major paratexts in the physical books cover, the front cover, the jacket blurb and different quotes that features the cover. My main theory is a mix between literary theorist Gerard Genette’s ideas about paratext, queer theorist Tiina Rosenbergs thoughts about visualization and repression in a heteronormative society and Gary Armstrong and Philip Kotlers marketing theories. 
The study shows that there is a lot of problematic aspects regarding the way publishing companies chooses to communicate about homosexuality in the book covers. The main issue seems to be a high level of invisibility, where the characters sexuality is hidden from the reader. There is also a high rate of covers which uses a form of (in)visability in their communication. The homosexuality only visible to a reader who actively searches for it. In some ways, the way the sexuality is shown seems to be in correlation with the marketing strategy that the publishing company seemingly have used. A broad target section often indicates a higher insvisibility, whereas a smaller target section.}},
  author       = {{Plathner, Aude}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Syns jag nu? : Om kommunikationen kring homosexualitet i svenska ungdomsböckers paratexter}},
  year         = {{2015}},
}