THE HOUSEMAID Author Freida McFadden’s Identity Revealed

Welcome to Today in Books, our daily round-up of literary headlines at the intersection of politics, culture, media, and more.

Nigerian Erotica Writers Bypass Morality Police With Women’s-Only WhatsApp Groups

Listen, if I know anything about humanity, it’s that where there’s a (horny) will, there’s a way. The latest example of such is shared through one New York Times writer’s experience with being let into a WhatsApp group, called Oum Hairan World, by an erotica author. Erotica written by Muslim women in Northern Nigeria was previously burned, but has found new life on the app, where authors get readers hooked on titles like Nymphomaniac King—which apparently has body parts body parting like they never have before—before charging them for more chapters. There are also queer stories and stories that explore topics like abuse being explored and discussed by women on the app, all of which risk the authors being turned into the morality police. All of this rebellious energy feels like it’s leading to a romance renaissance of sorts, which I would love to see.

Mega Bestselling Thriller Writer Freida McFadden’s Identity Revealed

This is kind of fun. I love a good mystery surrounding an author’s true identity (remember the whole thing surrounding Argylle? It was a cute little time), and McFadden is the latest author to have their true self shrouded in mystery. I’ve yet to read any of her books, which have been all up and down recent bestseller lists, but I have to say her Secret Author Identity game is immaculate. Apparently, Sara Cohen (her real name) is a doctor who specializes in brain disorders. To maintain privacy, she’s used not just the McFadden pseudonym, but a wig and glasses. It’s so extra, I love it. A++ disguise.

The Impact of Book Banning is Being Felt by Children’s and YA Publishing

Book Riot Senior Editor Kelly Jensen has been warning us of the ramifications of book banning for years now, but now we’re seeing even more of the consequences. School Library Journal reports that, though there have been no official announcements, there has been an overall decrease in queer books being acquired by children’s and YA publishing. For independent publishers that focus on diverse voices, the decline has gone up as much as 50%. Salespeople have even said that books that merely have a rainbow on the cover, even if they have nothing to do with a Pride flag, have been left off orders. According to Adib Khorram, award-winning author of Darius the Great is Not Okay, the issue seems to stem from the fact that most children’s book sales are placed by schools and libraries, and when they stop ordering them because of book bans, the decreased demand is harshly felt. There was even one book of Khorram’s whose royalties went down 70% between one statement and the next. I shudder at the thought of how this will have the industry looking in a few years.

4 Overrated Fantasy Classics (and What to Read Instead)

From the title of this one, you can tell we like to tussle. Many of our critiques of these fantasy novels have to do with pacing, giving female characters more agency, and not using too many tired clichés. Take a gander at which fantasy classics we recommend being replaced with other books, and let us know if you agree.