Minorities in Publishing

Jenn talks with Dwayne McDuffie award-winning illustrator/writer Nilah Magruder, creator of the webcomic M.F.K and the upcoming picture book FOX HUNT, about what's kept her going as an artist of color, the lack of diversity in the comic book world, and also why she began to create the stories she does. 

***Please note this episode was conducted via Skype. You may notice that some parts were re-recorded and this was due to audio quality.***

Jenn speaks with Bodega Magazine editor, writer, and marketing coordinator at one of the Big 5 publishers, Emily X.R. Pan about her thoughts on how more diverse books can be seen by the larger community, her experiences as a writer of color in her graduate school MFA program, ethnic representation in one's writing, as well as how diversity is necessary so that writers of color aren't all labeled under one blanket in terms of writing style.

Half-Resurrection Blues is the first book in a speculative series created by Daniel José Older. If you've read HRB definitely listen in on how Daniel went about creating his characters and the entire world that stretches beyond this series and into his other work. Even if you haven't read the book you can tune in, but warning there may be some spoilers.

Jenn speaks with Daniel José Older--author of Salsa Nocturna, Half-Resurrection Blues, the upcoming Shadowshaper, and articles for Buzzfeed & The Guardian--about the need for community for writers of color, how his plan for writing helped him persevere, and also about how the industry needs to change in order to embrace more stories by writers of color.

(Note: There's a quick Selma spoiler at the 40 minute mark if you haven't seen the film yet.)

In a separate episode posting today (Episode 13.5) Daniel and Jenn discuss the first book in his Bone Street Rumba series with Penguin, Half-Resurrection Blues. Whether you have or haven't read HRB definitely listen in on how Daniel went about creating his characters and the entire fantasy world that stretches beyond this series and into his other work.

Jenn and Bev speak with literary agent at Liza Dawson Associates Monica Odom about her experiences in terms of her trajectory in the publishing industry and how the diversity movement seems to have taken shape and made the need for discussion about more diversity part of the everyday conversation. Literary agents are seen as "gatekeepers" by writers and Monica explains that agents experience rejection and the various reasons this may happen. 

Jenn and Bev speak with African American poet Cynthia Manick who is also curator of the Soul Sister Revue quarterly reading series and East Coast Editor for Jamii Publishing. They speak on the benefits of finding voice and community in the literary world, pursuing your art, as well as understanding to find voice is to continue working as an artist. 

Jenn and Bev talk with African American Lisa Lucas, publisher of Guernica: A Magazine of Art & Politics. They talk about the growing conversation in terms of the need for diversity in publishing and art, how non-profits aid in the diversity movement and the ultimate goals of working for one, in addition to the reality that the lack of diversity in art also hurts unification and understanding in society. 

Bev and Jenn talk with Indian American Preeti Chhibber who works in marketing for schools & libraries at one of the Big 5 publishers, is a fellow podcaster for Bookrageous, and contributer to BookRiot and Panels.net. They talk about the benefits of the ongoing conversation about the need for diversity in the industry as well as the hope for more inclusion of diversity in books, comics, television, and film.

Bev and Jenn talk with Indian American Anjali Singh who is currently editorial director at independent press Other Press--and has had an established career in large, mid-tier, and smaller publishers--about the pressures on editorial, how the lack of diversity extends through publishing and that this pressure can affect the acquisitions of titles in a business that may be considered bottom line.