Read on Twitter
I’ve noticed a discouraging trend lately with the publishing industry’s push for diversity in submissions, based on some recent #amquerying interactions and discussions w/other writers. I’m 100% behind the push for marginalised voices to be amplified. This is way overdue. 1/?
I'm therefore frustrated by marginalised authors being told their voices can only be amplified if used in a certain way. Rarely do I see agents seeking marginalised authors writing *whatever* stories they’re passionate about. 2/?
I completely support writers telling stories from their own experience and background. But publishing is taking “write what you know” too literally. 3/?
As a Native American and fantasy writer, I write characters and stories informed by my whole life—people I’ve known, situations I’ve experienced, history I’ve studied, and places I’ve lived. 4/?
This, I feel I’m being told, is not as valuable as if I just wrote about my experience living on a reservation, because it’s not simply that you want to support diverse authors; you want to support them ticking certain boxes in their writing. 5/?
It’s as though publishing is putting marginalised writers in a box, saying “only YOU can tell these stories — and you can ONLY tell these stories.” Perhaps that’s all that the industry feels it can sell. 6/?
It’s crucial that marginalised authors be welcomed to write about the difficult, often horrific situations/history experienced by themselves and/or their ancestors, but not every marginalised writer wants to focus on those topics. 7/?
Everyone has a right to write what they want, and everyone repeats the mantra “write what you’re passionate about and readers will follow.” I believe in that. 8/?
I write the stories, situations, characters, and settings that move me, so when you ask for “diverse authors” to come forward but you dictate what kinds of stories they’re allowed to tell, you’re simply perpetuating the very problem I believe you’re seeking to solve. 9/?
I know there are ways to improve, & I hope it happens. I’ve heard dozens of writers express frustration over this topic. I know many in the industry are trying to do better, to be more inclusive, and this is great. I just feel this is one area that needs more consideration. 10/10
