As part of my gig as a staff reporter for the IBPA Independent, I’ve been writing about diversity in publishing. Although awareness of the need (and market) for diverse voices has increased, publishing decisions continue to be made by an industry that’s predominantly white.
You’ll be able to read more of my findings when the article comes out in the July/August issue of the Independent. In the meantime, take note of these resources for authors from diverse backgrounds and underserved communities:
Tags pitches and discussions of work by writers from diverse backgrounds
From the website: “A network of book professionals committed to supporting and increasing the number of Latino/a/x in the publishing industry, and promoting literature by, for, and about Latino/a/x people.”
Grassroots organization created by book publishing professionals dedicated to “supporting, empowering, and uplifting racially and ethnically marginalized members throughout the industry.”
The Word: A Storytelling Sanctuary
Dedicated to promoting voices from underserved communities and diverse backgrounds; launching its first editor-writer mentorship program in 2018.
Pairs mentors with diverse creators; offers awards to booksellers who champion diverse books. Walter Awards and Grants recognize and assist diverse authors. OurStory App is a resource for discovering diverse books. #WeNeedDiverseBooks
Mentoring to help authors from marginalized backgrounds get their stories published.
Deb Vanasse is the author of seventeen books with six different publishers. Among the most recent are Write Your Best Book, a practical guide to writing books that rise above the rest; Cold Spell, a novel that “captures the harsh beauty of the terrain as well as the strain of self-doubt and complicated family bonds”; and the “deeply researched and richly imagined” biography Wealth Woman. After thirty-six years in Alaska, she now lives on the north coast of Oregon, where she continues to write while doing freelance editing, coaching, and writing instruction.