Ok, so I am currently researching the art of writing query letters in an attempt to sell my novel. I'm focused on the details as I read through a chapter of a book printed by Writer's Digest titled "Guide to Query Letters" by Wendy Burt-Thomas. Furiously scribbling notes, I'm NOT thinking about my role as a Roma activist. I'm NOT thinking about the ramifications of stereotyping Roma into the annoying role of "Gypsy magician". I'm not even thinking about being a Roma.
Then I turned the page to the example query letter.
"Carnival is a part-time fortune-teller and occult troubleshooter and a full-time pain the neck. Do you have a banshee that needs a tonsillectomy? Call Carnival. Do you need to give the yo-ho-heave-ho to some troublesome pirate-ghosts? Call Carnival. What about the mummy that thinks she's a rap artists? Call Carnival.
Carnival is a gypsy. His Poppa calls him a poshrat. That's Rom for half-blood. Carnival never listened to his Poppa when his Poppa was alive, but these days he doesn't have much of a choice. It serves him right for sticking his Poppa close to his heart. What a way to treat a dead relative, but that's Carnival for you. ..."
The rest of the letter gives the author's creditials, including being a tarot card reader, so yes, this person has the god-given right to promote the stereotype. At least she got the word Rom right. She must have done some generous research.
Yes, there are those out there who say that Roma shouldn't scream about how the gypsy stereotype is used. After all, this book is not a serious work, so no one will take it serious, so why should I? The answer: no one takes us seriously. Ask people in the States if Gypsies exist and they will most likely tell you that Gypsies are characters in books or movies, such as Madeline and the Gypsies or Damn Me to Hell, or they will tell you they are from role playing games like D&D. Some will tell you there are no Gypsies in the States. Why? Because no one takes us seriously.
I had hoped the letter in the book was a created example. Alas, it was not. Gypsy Blood was sold to Five Star Publishing in 2008.
