When it comes to publishing marginalized writers, the industry is trying to make real change. But we have a long way to go. In fact, there is so much swirling around this topic, that, as a White literary agent (while I continue to try to learn what it takes to be a good ally), I can only offer a very small sliver of a look at the much bigger picture. Let’s face it, getting a book published is never easy. But it can be even more difficult for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and Latinx writers, disabled persons, people identifying as LGBTQ+ and others. The reality is that in 2020, for these writers, getting published is still very much out of reach.
And once a marginalized author does get that break, there is the burden that the entire cultural identity is on them, not to mention the culture policing that happens when critics claim the story is not “authentic” enough. And let’s not forget the emotional burden of having to bear the load that writers feel they must “teach lessons” along the way, and that the writers are also held to an impossible standard of making certain every detail is perfect, even in fiction. Then there are so few books by marginalized authors that there is also a sense of competition against one another to score the few spots available.
There have been some positive moves forward in the industry — but mainly from grassroots efforts. For example — the creation of social media events that are geared toward overlooked voices, including a pitching event called #DVpit. The Twitter contest, the brainchild of literary agent Beth Phelan, is held biannually, and was launched in 2016 — designed specifically to match historically marginalized authors and illustrators with literary agents. Since then, there have been hundreds of artists signed by agents and many book deals contracted.
But it hasn’t always been this way. While I have always represented a broad and talented group of authors, I know I can still do better. And many agents who haven’t necessarily made this a priority in the past, are now looking for #ownvoices writers and projects. There is worry, even with this forward momentum, as critics scrutinize it as just another trend that will go by the wayside, like so many other publishing trends. Though in a seemingly permanent move, publishers are now looking to hire more diverse acquiring editors.
Recently cookbook editorial teams, who tend to be overwhelmingly White, came under fire for systemic issues that have surfaced. Some Black writers say that not having a POC editor puts them at a disadvantage, having to explain the basics of the food that they’re writing about. And that the lack of familiarity with the subject even trickles into the recipes. So publishing houses are looking at this issue seriously and many are presently hiring editors across the board who can help build lists that reflect changing reading habits and desires. Still, it’s on us, the gatekeepers, to help grow this momentum.
So we hope to keep moving forward. I just closed a deal last month on a Black Lives Matter book project by racial justice leader Solomon Jones. The book that we are tentatively titling “The Demands” will come out next summer. In it, Jones uses the stories of 10 Black people who have been killed or harmed by police to lay out 10 urgent and specific demands that he hopes will change the racist structures of the present, and pave the way for justice in the future.
Solomon’s new publisher, Beacon Books, has been on the forefront for years when it comes to publishing marginalized writers. Its book “White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism” by Robin DiAngelo has been on The New York Times bestseller list for months. And it’s encouraging to see that readers are searching out books by authors of color and #OwnVoices. It’s one small step in the right direction. Though much more change is needed.
While it’s important to have these books available, one of my authors, Karen Fleshman, founder of Racy Conversations, emphasizes that activism needs to go beyond reading: “I’m heartened to see many White people reading about race, recognizing the urgent need to educate ourselves about the topic,” she said. “However, I implore us to do more than read and talk about how terrible racism is. We must actually transform, relinquish our grip on power and resources, be intensely uncomfortable and hold our peers and the powerful to account.”
After all, reading the voices of those who have been underrepresented in the past can only help us understand each other better in the future.
Marr has been a literary agent for 15 years. She lives in Tierrasanta.
