Narrative framing refers to the way a story treats and positions characters, events, and decisions through tone, point of view, and consequences. It is the lens through which the story is told, guiding the reader's emotional and moral responses…often without the reader realizing they are being guided at all.
Books are inherently political, and we disregard that truth at our own peril.
If that statement makes you uncomfortable, if your first reaction is to close down and protect your beloved books by saying, “I don’t read for politics, I read to escape,” you’re not alone.
Most of us read in large part for entertainment and escapism. In fact, entertainment is the door we choose to walk through every time we pick up a piece of fiction.
But if it is the only reason, if you are willing to disregard everything else a book does in favor of entertainment, you are in greater danger than you realize.
Let me explain why.
Books are Political
Every book ever written has been informed by the worldview of the author. And that worldview has, in turn, been shaped by the political climate in which they live. For that to make sense, let’s define politics in a broad sense.
Politics: the process and systems by which societies structure power and distribute resources.
Those political systems govern who gets to learn to read, who gets to write what books, what themes they can write about, which books get published, by whom, and who can access those books.
Unfortunately, the first priority of the power structures we live within isn’t to ensure the art that reaches the public represents the varied truth of human experience; it is to protect itself. It recognizes the power of fiction to shape worldviews, create empathy, and incite change. It recognizes that art and culture shape and create one another, so it will always default to prioritizing books and stories that uphold and protect the ruling class by centering their identity as normal or neutral, and suppress or destroy narratives that challenge it.
If anyone should inherently understand the political power of books to incite change, create empathy, and spread knowledge, it should be authors and readers. So to see so many of them denigrate or entirely ignore that power in favor of guiltless entertainment is disheartening in the extreme, not only because of what it says about how they view books but because of what it says about how they view their fellow humans.
Books as Entertainment Only
You may say, “I read to escape my life. I just want to be entertained, not write a book report.” And you wouldn’t be entirely wrong. So, let's look at what happens when we read “brain off” for entertainment only without acknowledging the inherently political nature of books.
As I’ve already pointed out, reading for entertainment is important. As Ursula K. LeGuin said of fantasy in her essay The Language of the Night, “Fantasy is escapist, and that is its glory. If a soldier is imprisoned by the enemy, don't we consider it his duty to escape? The moneylenders, the know-nothings, the authoritarians have us all in prison; if we value the freedom of the mind and soul, if we're partisans of liberty, then it's our plain duty to escape, and to take as many people with us as we can.”
It is both natural and healthy to escape into a fictional narrative to restore hope and give ourselves a much-needed break from our daily struggles. But that isn’t where the story ends. Far from it, in fact. LeGuin wasn’t encouraging escapism from responsibility or engagement, but escapism into the freedom of mind and soul to imagine new worlds and reclaim what our world could be.
She doesn’t encourage mindless consumption of stories but excoriates the political oppression that causes us to need escapism in the first place. She recognizes that escapism and active engagement exist side-by-side.
When we consume mindlessly, without recognizing the power inherent in stories and the deeply political nature of them, we are fed on a diet we did not actively choose. We are forced to eat what those in political power choose for us, merely for the hedonistic pleasure of it, without a thought for how the nutrition will affect our bodies in the long run.
We become mindless consumers who unconsciously support and uphold those currently in power while ignoring those marginalized by the same power. This act is especially insidious because the stories we are fed are comforting. They represent us and how we hope to see ourselves. Because of that, we will then protect our right to access them and to resist change.
In essence, this makes us agents of the system who are never forced to confront the fact that the system actively hurts, disenfranchises, exploits, and erases our fellow human beings to perpetuate itself.
Why It’s Important
When we read, even when we aren’t actively aware of it, we consume thoughts and ideas that shape our worldview. Being cognizant of that fact allows us to engage with the work more deeply and to interrogate what it means and how/whether we want it to affect us. It lets us enjoy the entertainment and escapism of books while also understanding how they affect us and the world we live in.
But refusing to acknowledge the inherently political aspect of books is damaging because it makes us mindless consumers who will open our mouths for anything. It strips books of their power to inform and create change. It accepts the status quo as normal and neutral, which abandons the people whose identities have not been protected, who have not been represented but have actively been suppressed, attacked, or undermined.
When you say “books are only political if you want them to be,” what you’re really saying is “I have the privilege of not having to think about the implications of the work I am consuming, and I don’t really care to know how it negatively affects those without the privilege.”
To be human is to be in community—to care about those who stand next to us, because the welfare of one affects the welfare of all. And anything that asks us to empathize with one another, to understand those who do not look like us, to question systems of power and privilege—that is not a distraction from fiction’s purpose. It is the purpose.
Books can delight and distract. But they also illuminate, challenge, and liberate. When we understand their power, we don’t have to give up escapism—we get to choose our escapes with open eyes. And maybe find the courage to bring some of those imagined freedoms back with us when we return to the real world.
Without prose, there is no story. Only ideas in a writers head. How a story is told can elevate or debase it, can make the characters clearer or more opaque, can communicate themes and emotions that leave tears on cheeks or create sighs of unfulfilled frustration.
You know how much we love a chance to escape into fantasy worlds with compelling characters, so we’re thrilled to announce that the audiobook version of Blood and Silver is now live on Tower Room Publishing!
If you love fantasy romances with a twist, this one's for you.
In this retelling of the classic Little Red Riding Hood tale, we meet Alix La Rouge, who’s on a relentless quest for vengeance against the werewolves responsible for her grandmother’s death. But things take a surprising turn when Alix finds herself having to work alongside the very creatures she despises. It’s a wild ride full of tension, unexpected alliances, and, of course, steamy romance.
The audiobook features stellar narration by Paige Reisenfeld and PJ Freebourn, who bring Nicole McKeon's vivid characters and world to life. Their dynamic performances capture every thrilling moment and emotional nuance, making it easy to get lost in the story.
You can enjoy the 14+ hour audiobook of Blood and Silver wherever you are, whether it's commuting, working out, washing dishes, or relaxing by the pool. Just don't forget to turn the volume down if you happen to be listening to a spicy scene in the car. You know, just in case ;)
According to reviewers, the story is a perfect mix of action, romance, and character development. It’s a page-turner (or should we say a "play-next" button pusher?) that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Fans have especially loved the unique spin on the classic fairy tale and the dynamic between characters. It’s been praised for its fast pace and the way it dives deep into the characters' complexities and flaws.
So grab your headphones and get ready for an adventure. Head over to our website to check it out. We can’t wait to hear what you think!
p.s. don't forget to go give Paige and PJ a follow on social media and show them some support for their incredible work!
I can feel your panic after reading that headline. I felt the same way.
Dread is sliding like ice down your spine as you think, I don't own my ebooks?
Unfortunately, in most cases, you don't.
When you purchase from platforms like Kindle or Apple Books, you aren't actually buying the book, you're licensing the right to read it using the approved device for as long as you have connected account.
This falls under the umbrella of Digital Rights Management, or DRM.
Picture DRM as the guard dog of the digital realm, protecting authors from pirates and making sure only the people who purchased the license have the right to access the content.
It's more like leasing a book with invisible strings attached than owning it outright. These digital handcuffs mean no sharing, no lending, and definitely no passing that gripping thriller on to your bestie.
It also means that if the platform decides to restrict or remove your access to those books, for whatever reason, you have no recourse.
The good news is that, in most cases, when you buy directly from authors who self fulfill, you're essentially saying goodbye to DRM headaches. You own that copy of your ebook, just like you own your physical book.
In this age of licensing and digital rights management where platforms like Amazon control your access to the content YOU paid for, buying direct from authors is a little act of literary rebellion.
Here are a few benefits to buying direct:
1. DRM-Free Bliss: Direct purchases mean a DRM-free copy of the book. No more compatibility issues or digital handcuffs – it's your book, and you can access it on any device you choose.
2. Supporting the Literary Wizards: Buying directly from authors puts more money in their pockets, which helps them support themselves so they can keep creating the stories you love.
3. Exclusive Bookish Treats: Some direct purchases even come with bonus goodies – think exclusive content, special formatting or art, or even a personal note from the author. It's like getting a backstage pass to the literary concert.
4. Ownership: While platforms like Kindle offer convenience, it's crucial to acknowledge the potential risks. They reserve the right to restrict or even remove your access to DRM-protected content. So if they make a mistake, change their platform, or lose licensing rights, you could lose access to your entire ebook library and hundreds, even thousands, of dollars.
Remember, each direct purchase is not just acquiring a book; it's a deliberate choice to support the literary ecosystem in a way that benefits both creators and consumers. It gives you direct ownership of the content you paid for.
That's why here, on Tower Room Publishing, we sell directly to readers. You deserve to OWN the copies you've paid for, whether that's an ebook or an audiobook.
Happy reading, and may your literary adventures be DRM-free and full of joy! 📚✨
Gaslamp fantasy is often confused with steampunk, but they're not quite the same. While both genres share a love for the Victorian era, gaslamp fantasy focuses more on the fantastical elements, like magic and mythical creatures. It's like taking a stroll through a foggy London street and stumbling upon a hidden world of wizards and fairies. Think of it as a whimsical blend of fantasy, history, and a touch of that good ol' British charm.
