Thanks for speaking out on this. I'm a Mexican-American writer and recently chatted with a friend who complained that no agent wanted to take him on because he's a white man. "As a female Latina, you have it made," he said to me. It made me wonder if the industry might be reaching a tipping point where it does want to do better. At the same time, I sure hope that when my book is ready, someone takes an interest in the work itself, and doesn't just want to work with me because of my race and gender. Such a catch-22!
In terms of solutions, I'd love for more early career publishing hopefuls to know about Inkluded Academy. The nonprofit and tuition-free summer course came out of a need to fix the pipeline problem into publishing jobs and launch the careers of young people from historically excluded backgrounds. Compared to courses like NYU's and Columbia's, Inkluded has seen a high placement rate in their cohorts for the past 5 years. It would be awesome for the org to get more support and visibility among those more established in the industry.
Jesus doesn't see color, and there's no inequality in heaven! "At its core, book publishing is supposed to be an industry where ALL ideas are exchanged and respected" Amen!
Yes, children's is also an issue. Jump at the Sun (as I recall name) was an imprint for children of color and though award-winning was dismantelled as not selling enough copies? Yet an Independent Press New Horizon did well with both inclusive children's books and ones geared for specific ethnic groups.
The big publishers only want textbook De&I and anything different and doesn’t fit a certain narrative is dismissed. I went with a small, Canadian hybrid publisher because of this. My book, Our Three New Years! is about a Hong Kong/Ashkenazi Canadian family who celebrates Lunar New Year, Rosh Hashanah and Gregorian NY in sometimes original ways based on some (particularly for my side) traditions we do ourselves. And there’s zero “oooooop….we’re SOOOOOOOOO MARGINALIZED BS” in the books. Those plots are now in practically every book with non-Anglo Protestant characters and, sorry, but I’m tired of it.
Just want to share my small slice of experience as someone working in publishing startups: we launched in 2021 a platform that wanted to help promote new authors from around the world, with a strong focus on the Global South, which is even more under-represented in mainstream, using tech to overcome linguistic and regional barriers. DEI was a pillar of the effort, as founder my second hire after CTO was a chief DEI officer.
Long story short: we had to shut down after two years, after being repeatedly told by investors, often to our faces (especially by VCs) that diversity did not matter in investment decisions. Same for large publishers who, are not only about 20 years behind on their tech, but equally inept at addressing the massive diversity issues facing the industry.
I have not given up and continue to explore new ways to work on the same problem, but it was a tough, often depressing journey, I admit. And that is coming from a white man...so yea.
It's because of this that a lot of authors of colour go the way of self-publishing.
It's hard enough going through the process of being traditionally published but to be counted out before all of that because of the prejudices of the gatekeepers, it's best to go direct to the readers who will appreciate seeing themselves on the page.
Thank you for reading it. And yes, many authors of color do go the self-publishing route. I think self-publishing will become more mainstream within 3-5 years.
The best books I read in the past year were by Colson Whitehead and James McBride. White audiences do want to read about Black characters, and especially by writers this talented! Meanwhile, I'm still furious about a garbage book I read a few years ago by Noah Hawley, where the 3 female characters were cartoonish stereotypes and the resolution of the plot was flatly ridiculous. And yet the last time I flew out of Newark there was a standing ad for his latest book on the tablets stationed at each gate. It's not just the publishing of these books, it's the support, as Kathleen said.
Thanks for this. I did the NYU publishing Masters, thinking that was the only way to get my foot in the door. I thought an HR rep would give more weight to a resume that said "NYU" on it. I eventually did get my foot in the door, but I regret the debt I took on to get there. If I could do it all over again, City College is the more economically option.
Thank you for writing this story. You are a very brave woman.
As for erotica, it's almost impossible to get anything published and distributed. I have sex scenes in my memoir, which are integral the story, but I've been told Amazon will consider it "pornographic" and I'll be hidden from their search feature. I'm about ready to give up. I am in awe of Black writers who stuck it out and got their work published. The micro aggressions (and a few macros) feel like death by 1,000 cuts.
Thanks for speaking out on this. I'm a Mexican-American writer and recently chatted with a friend who complained that no agent wanted to take him on because he's a white man. "As a female Latina, you have it made," he said to me. It made me wonder if the industry might be reaching a tipping point where it does want to do better. At the same time, I sure hope that when my book is ready, someone takes an interest in the work itself, and doesn't just want to work with me because of my race and gender. Such a catch-22!
Thank you for writing this!
In terms of solutions, I'd love for more early career publishing hopefuls to know about Inkluded Academy. The nonprofit and tuition-free summer course came out of a need to fix the pipeline problem into publishing jobs and launch the careers of young people from historically excluded backgrounds. Compared to courses like NYU's and Columbia's, Inkluded has seen a high placement rate in their cohorts for the past 5 years. It would be awesome for the org to get more support and visibility among those more established in the industry.
https://www.inkluded.org/
Thanks for letting me know about this. Are you involved with it?
I'm an alum and on a volunteer committee! Would be happy to direct you to the right people if you're interested in learning more or getting involved.
I'd love to get involved. Shoot me an email: kathleen@kmspr.com
Jesus doesn't see color, and there's no inequality in heaven! "At its core, book publishing is supposed to be an industry where ALL ideas are exchanged and respected" Amen!
I really appreciate your thoughts. My mother loved Eric Jerome Dickey's books. Representation truly does matter. Thanks for sharing.
EJD was so special to me.
For sure! Truly prolific and one of a kind!
Yes, children's is also an issue. Jump at the Sun (as I recall name) was an imprint for children of color and though award-winning was dismantelled as not selling enough copies? Yet an Independent Press New Horizon did well with both inclusive children's books and ones geared for specific ethnic groups.
thank you for this.
Thank you for speaking out!
The big publishers only want textbook De&I and anything different and doesn’t fit a certain narrative is dismissed. I went with a small, Canadian hybrid publisher because of this. My book, Our Three New Years! is about a Hong Kong/Ashkenazi Canadian family who celebrates Lunar New Year, Rosh Hashanah and Gregorian NY in sometimes original ways based on some (particularly for my side) traditions we do ourselves. And there’s zero “oooooop….we’re SOOOOOOOOO MARGINALIZED BS” in the books. Those plots are now in practically every book with non-Anglo Protestant characters and, sorry, but I’m tired of it.
Just want to share my small slice of experience as someone working in publishing startups: we launched in 2021 a platform that wanted to help promote new authors from around the world, with a strong focus on the Global South, which is even more under-represented in mainstream, using tech to overcome linguistic and regional barriers. DEI was a pillar of the effort, as founder my second hire after CTO was a chief DEI officer.
Long story short: we had to shut down after two years, after being repeatedly told by investors, often to our faces (especially by VCs) that diversity did not matter in investment decisions. Same for large publishers who, are not only about 20 years behind on their tech, but equally inept at addressing the massive diversity issues facing the industry.
I have not given up and continue to explore new ways to work on the same problem, but it was a tough, often depressing journey, I admit. And that is coming from a white man...so yea.
Thank you for sharing this.
Just want to note that City College has an excellent publishing program, and much more affordable than NYU.
They absolutely do. Thank you for mentioning.
Thank you for writing this.
It's because of this that a lot of authors of colour go the way of self-publishing.
It's hard enough going through the process of being traditionally published but to be counted out before all of that because of the prejudices of the gatekeepers, it's best to go direct to the readers who will appreciate seeing themselves on the page.
Thank you for reading it. And yes, many authors of color do go the self-publishing route. I think self-publishing will become more mainstream within 3-5 years.
The best books I read in the past year were by Colson Whitehead and James McBride. White audiences do want to read about Black characters, and especially by writers this talented! Meanwhile, I'm still furious about a garbage book I read a few years ago by Noah Hawley, where the 3 female characters were cartoonish stereotypes and the resolution of the plot was flatly ridiculous. And yet the last time I flew out of Newark there was a standing ad for his latest book on the tablets stationed at each gate. It's not just the publishing of these books, it's the support, as Kathleen said.
Thanks for this. I did the NYU publishing Masters, thinking that was the only way to get my foot in the door. I thought an HR rep would give more weight to a resume that said "NYU" on it. I eventually did get my foot in the door, but I regret the debt I took on to get there. If I could do it all over again, City College is the more economically option.
I hear City College has a great program. I'm sorry you had to take on debt for NYU. I wish ALL the programs were economically feasible.
Thank you for writing this story. You are a very brave woman.
As for erotica, it's almost impossible to get anything published and distributed. I have sex scenes in my memoir, which are integral the story, but I've been told Amazon will consider it "pornographic" and I'll be hidden from their search feature. I'm about ready to give up. I am in awe of Black writers who stuck it out and got their work published. The micro aggressions (and a few macros) feel like death by 1,000 cuts.
Thank you for writing this. Everything you've stated is unfortunately quite true. Maybe some day things will change but that's a very big, "maybe."
Kathleen - did you read The Other Black Girl (a publishing satire that I'm sure would ring true)?
I did.