Janine Cross

Janine Cross, Canadian writer. She became the subject of a great deal of mockery online following the distribution of an excerpt from her fantasy novel, Touched by Venom (2005), at the World Fantasy Convention in November of 2005.

The controversy related significantly to the novel's feminist themes and treatment of sexuality, but much of the controversy was couched in commentary on Cross' prose. Much of the mockery centered on the phrase "venom cock" to descibe an erection. Some focused on Cross' dialectical renderings.

As with any fandom controversy, there were probably almost as many explanations or motivations for the mockery as there were people involved. From a feminist perspective, significant concerns arise about criticism directed at the book because of its treatment of sexual and sexist violence, and the extent to which sexist critiques masked themselves as attacks on the language. For instance, was it easier for fandom to "gang up" on Janine Cross and Touched by Venom because TBV was written by a woman and attempted to treat extreme sexism and misogyny? Or, was sexism implicated in the particularly personal nature of the criticism directed first at Janine Cross and TBV, and then at one of the positive reviews of the book, by Liz Henry? Opinions may vary, but understanding the particularly vehement and personal nature of the criticism in this case can help fans and critics alike be responsible and thoughtful in criticism.

Bibliography

Novels

• The Footstop Café, (2005) (as Paulette Crosse)
• The Dragon Temple Saga

1. Touched by Venom, (2005)
2. Shadowed by Wings, (2006)
3. Forged By Fire, (2007)

External Links

• An Author's Cinderella Story: Interview with Janine Cross
• The Venom Cock - Fandom Wank wiki