Why do a lot of Witches and Pagans hate Llewellyn?

Question

Um, maybe you should know what Llewellyn is before you give stupid answers.

To all of you who keep saying that HATE is too strong of a word, I don't think it is. A lot of them really do hate Llewellyn. I had to leave a small group of Pagans I was associated with because of the magnitude of their hatred for this publisher, it was too overwhelming. Just the mention of Llewellyn would drive them into a frenzy. I haven't read much Llewellyn but everything I did read just seemed dull, I could never figure out what their problem was.

Answer 1

Okay, couple of things...

First, Llewellyn isn't really that big, comparitively speaking. Yes, they're the biggest pagan-specific publisher, but they're nowhere near the size of, say, Harper Collins, who I believe published Starhawk's works, among others.

Second, a lot of the reason that many pagans dislike the books that Llewellyn puts out is because a lot of it is perceived as rather formulaic Wicca 101 content--introductions to Wicca that rehash the material yet another way, spell books, etc. Additionally, a decent portion of their material starting in the mid-90s when Wicca started getting big had some absolutely awful research in it, which also added to the bad reputation.

I've talked to a Llewellyn rep who said, for her part, that a lot of the reason people keep seeing the same types of books over and over again in the chain stores is because that's what seems to sell the most. They do have advanced texts, but the chain stores who give them the most business tend to order books with broader appeal. For instance, they've had Israel Regardie's works on the Golden Dawn in print for years, but that has a smaller readership than, say, Scott Cunningham.

And they can't just stop printing 101 material--they have to make money, too. There's not a particularly high overhead with books, especially when you take into account how many people are involved with the creation of one--author, editor, copyeditor, P.R. agent if they can afford one, the various printers and binders, cover artist, layout and design, sales staff, warehousing, etc.

I write and edit for a small press that specializes in more advanced, experimental magical texts--there are people out there who want intermediate to advanced texts as long as they have access to them. Distribution seems to be the key, since a lot of stores aren't willing to take a chance on books with a more narrow focus. This includes both chain and independent stores, though the independent shops generally tend to have better selections overall.

I don't think everything Llewellyn puts out is bad. However, because most of what people are exposed to is Wicca 101 and spellbooks, and because of the research issues, it's a tough reputation to get over.

Answer 2

I don't hate Llewellyn. I think they have their place in our path. I started off my studies with Llewellyn books but moved away from them pretty quickly - not because there was anything wrong with them, but to me they seem to publish primer books. Once you start on the path they tend to all say the same thing and there isn't much to learn.

I'm actually surprised at the number of people who have posted that do not know what Llewellyn is. They're quite a huge publishing company.

)O(

Answer 3

I don't hate Llewellyn publisher, but I seldom recommend their books. It is the content that they publish that I don't care for. Many of their books target younger people who haven't developed critical reading skills yet and will believe the historical inaccuracies that they publish. Most publishers are responsible for the accuracy of the content they publish. They may not agree with it, but they don't market fiction as fact. If they did, their reputation would suffer as Llewellyn's has. I have read many Llewellyn books (approx. 100 titles)---and I have had to go back and unlearn alot of the things and then relearn. I feel lied to. I trusted them with my money and time. After finding out that a book contains gross inaccuracies, most responsibile publishers would pull the books from the shelves. I will still read one of their books for inspiration, but I don't pay for the book and I know now that anything historical probably has no real scholarly basis. When looking through the bibliographies, you will see that the books often cite other Llewellyn books for a reference. No high school teacher would accept such poor referencing. There have also been problems with plagerism and a watering down and sugar-coating of concepts to make them appeal to the general public.

I only have so much money and time to invest in books. I have found much better resources with other publishers.
http://www.cyberwitch.com/wychwood/Library/whenIsACeltNotACelt.htm
http://saille333.home.mindspring.com/21Lessons.htm
http://www.ecauldron.com/opedtarnishedsilver.php
http://www.geocities.com/ferigold/truthfaery/index.html

Answer 4

Llewellyn doesn't publish content. They produce a book just so you will pay for it. I don't hate them. I call it progress when pagan books can be mass produced like the bible. Most pagans hate Llewellyn for the same reason they hate Starbucks. They hate all big corporations.

Answer 5

"Hate" is too strong a word. I don't recommend the books published by Llewellyn for exactly the reasons that "witchy" gave.

Answer 6

they're in certainty the comparable factor from what I see-- The competition/occasion of the "Grand Climax of the Spring Equinox" to cite LaVey. i think of of it extra as "Beltaine" (or notwithstanding different spelling is clever) because of the fact it grew to become into in uncomplicated terms stated as "Walpurgisnacht" while it grew to become into Christianized via the Church of Jehovah. They named the Xian version of the trip after St. Walpurgis, so as to desire to me, it is like calling the iciness Solstice "Christmas"... Utter Sacrelidge to the unique non secular communities that celebrated the trip. besides, if we permit the hot teenagers on the Block in any experience of the term dictate something approximately us, we finally end up like modern-day u . s . of america-- Ridden with obssesion over acceptance and acceptance. i could quite be hated for who i'm than enjoyed for who i'm no longer. My rites for that trip are what I percieve to be decently genuine to Paganism, that's the place the type of Satanism that I prepare (classic/Theistic) got here from: i think of of it as a night to rejoice existence and the existence rigidity. maximum usually, there is feasting, sexuality and now and lower back even a Sabbat social gathering which consists of a few non secular Like-Minds/friends (for absolutely everyone who could make it that night, it extremely is). in certainty, I do the failings that take me back to the certainty of my very very own necessary Existance, my existence rigidity (which remains goin' good, via the way!), and the present of existence and well being that i've got been given. additionally, if I surely have the gap and the flexibility on a given 3 hundred and sixty 5 days, there is frequently a Bonfire held throughout reported Sabbat social gathering. preserving the custom of the "Fires of Belanos" alive is a stable factor via my standards! Wow, that has to have been the main short answer i've got ever given right here... It did no longer even take 3 Aeons to type out! Ehh, there's a commonplace time for each little thing XD Hail devil!!! -Valkyri

Answer 7

Is Llewellyn a Welsh village or so?
Next time u see a witch please let me know, you Christians see them everywhere but I have never seen one....pls I need to take a pic.

Answer 8

Let me fill you in on the Wiccan religion....Wicca is an earth and nature based religion that focuses towards peace and harmony. They do not hate people of any color,religion,gender, or sexual preference. They have a tolerance towards all people and respects them...

Answer 9

The books they publish suck.