Patterson Apologizes for Racism Comments

James Patterson has posted an apology for comments he recently made in a Times interview:

I apologize for saying white male writers having trouble finding work is a form of racism. I absolutely do not believe that racism is practiced against white writers. Please know that I strongly support a diversity of voices being heard — in literature, in Hollywood, everywhere.

The Times article, titled “James Patterson: white male writers are victims of ‘racism’” was meant to promote the author’s new memoir, but drew more attention online for this section:

Today, though, he worries that it is hard for white men to get writing gigs in film, theatre, TV or publishing.

The problem is “just another form of racism. What’s that all about?” he muses. “Can you get a job? Yes. Is it harder? Yes. It’s even harder for older writers. You don’t meet many 52-year-old white males.”

According to Publishers Weekly, Patterson, 75, also criticized the staff at his publisher Little, Brown for walking out over the company’s acquisition of a book by controversial filmmaker Woody Allen, saying, “I hated that… He has the right to tell his own story.” He went on to note that Stephen King was insufficiently grateful after Patterson scrapped plans for a book called The Murder of Stephen King: “Nobody ever sent a note to say thanks. I still enjoy King’s scary novels. The man can tell a story. But I guess he has trouble with thank-you notes.”

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