Book bans aren’t really extra publicity. Or maybe, at best, they’re neutral extra publicity. As in, publicity that doesn’t do anything. People are talking about the book, people are angry about the book ban, but it’s not improving sales, nor is it reversing the ban.
It’s one thing if one person can’t remember the name of, say, a side character, but if multiple people are struggling, that’s usually a sign that something’s wrong.
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No genre is immune from this phenomenon. It’s due to a handful of possibilities, ranging from understandable to frustrating, mostly related to the changes and struggles of the publishing industry itself.
As writers, we have to weigh the pros and cons of each safety choice, which can include financial cost, social cost, a potential dip in book sales, and other matters. Personally, I aim for a balance that makes me feel safer without simultaneously feeling silenced.
