The Year of the Dragon - Diversify Publishing Newsletter #35

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!!

This year, it’s all about the dragon. The dragon is the fifth of the 12-year cycle of zodiac animals Characteristics of those born in the years of the dragon tend to be ambitious, confident, and charismatic.

I’ve put together a fun list of children's books on Chinese New Year, take a look! And why not add them to your bookshelf??

The Dragon Painter

retold by Lesley Sims & BlueBean (Illustrator)

‘Chang is the best painter in all of China, so it's Chang the Emperor sends for when his new temple needs painting. But why is Chang painting dragons without any eyes? Is it true, as he claims, that if you add eyes, painted dragons come to life?’

Order a copy from Hive, here.

The Year of the Dragon: Tales From the Chinese Zodiac

by Oliva Chin & Jennifer Wood (Illustrator)

‘The Year of the Dragon is the most lucky and popular... for good reason! Dominic is an adventurous dragon whose journey celebrates the new year.’

Order a copy from Hive, here.

Lunar New Year

by Natasha Yim & Jingting Wang (Illustrator)

‘A celebratory, inclusive and educational exploration of Lunar New Year for both children that celebrate and children who want to understand and appreciate their peers who do. Lunar New Year captures the magic of the celebration by exploring how Ling and her family enjoy the biggest Chinese festival of the year.’

Order a copy from Hive, here.

Dragon Dance: A Chinese New Year Lift-the-Flap Book

by Joan Holab & Benrei Huang (Illustrator)

‘It's Lunar New Year and there are so many fun things to do! Shopping at the outdoor market for fresh flowers, eating New Year's dinner with the whole family, receiving red envelopes from Grandma and Grandpa, and best of all-watching the spectacular Lunar New Year's parade!’

Order a copy from Blackwell’s, here.

Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragons

by Nina Simonds, Leslie Swartz, The Children’s Museum - Boston, and Meilo So (Illustrator)

‘Filled with delectable recipes, hands-on family activities, and traditional tales to read aloud, this extraordinary collection will inspire families everywhere to re-create the magic of Chinese holidays in their own homes.’

Order a copy from Blackwell’s, here.

The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac

by Christopher Corr

‘Celebrate Chinese New Year and learn how every animal earned its place in the Chinese zodiac by taking part in the Great Race! Discover who will come first to win the ultimate prize, and find out why Cat will never forgive his friend Rat in this ancient folk tale that has been passed from generation to generation.’

Order a copy from Wordery, here.

The Lucky Red Envelope: A Lift-the-Flap Lunar New Year Celebration

by Vikki Zhang

‘Get ready for Lunar New Year, following a little girl and her family as they get ready for and celebrate the Lunar New Year festival. With non-fiction information about the significance of certain rituals, but told through the excited eyes of a child, this is a book to return to year after year in the run up to the biggest festival in the Chinese calendar.’

Order a copy from Hive, here.

A Highlight of 2023's Diverse Children's Book - Diversify Publishing Newsletter #31

Last year I shared my 2022 Children’s highlights, which I loved putting together. So I thought I’d do it again this year. This list can also be used as a Christmas gift list guide for family, friends, and loved ones!

Enjoy reading through a highlight of some of my favourite diverse Children’s books from 2023. It makes me so happy that each year it gets harder to pick my favourite highlights.

0-3 Year Olds

The Missing Piece by Jordan Stephens & Beth Suzanna

One day, her Gran gives her a ONE-THOUSAND-PIECE puzzle. Piece after piece, all by herself, she puts together the picture, until . . . DISASTER! The final piece is missing.

Buy a copy from Afrori Books, here!

Mama’s Sleeping Scarf by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie & Joelle Avelino (illustrator)

This beautiful family story follows a young girl called Chino as she plays with her mama's sleeping scarf through the day. Running with the scarf, Chino weaves together little incidentals of home life into a glorious celebration of the power of a mother-daughter relationship, and the gentle joys that build a perfect day.

Buy a copy from Afrori Books, here!

Ballet Kids by Holly Sterling

My toes tingle with excitement. It’s ballet class today! Snowflakes are falling softly outside when Thomas and his friends arrive at Mr Elliot’s dance studio. Prancing and whirling and twirling around the room, the boys and girls perfect their steps – first and second position, pliés, curtsies and more. Then, it’s time for the most exciting moment – picking out costumes for their first ever performance: The Nutcracker!

Buy a copy from Sevenoaks Bookshop, here!

3-5 Years Old

The Masjid Kamal Loves by Ashley Franklin and Aaliya Jaleel (illustrator)

From the author of Not Quite Snow White comes a story about a young Muslim boy celebrating the many reasons he loves going to his local masjid in this jubilant and playful picture book perfect for fans of Mommy’s Khimar and Abdul’s Story.

Buy a copy from LoveReading4Kids, here!

Not Now, Noor! by Farhana Islam & Nabila Adani (illustrator)

Noor loves her mum, and all the other hijabi women in her family, but wonders why do they wear headscarves? Is it so they can hide snacks for later? Or because they're a super spy and hiding their secret identity?

Buy a copy from The Portobello Bookshop, here!

Little Black Lives Matter by Khodi Dill

Little Black Lives Matter empowers all children, but Black children especially, by affirming that their lives, however little they may yet be, matter. Featuring fifteen great Black heroes of the past and the powerful words they spoke and actions they took, Little Black Lives Matter is a rhyming board book that incorporates memorable quotations and a reminder to little ones that each of these great people once lived a little Black life themselves.

Buy a copy from The Feminist Bookshop, here!

5-8 Years Old

Home For Grace by Kathryn White & Rachael Dean (illustrator)

Grace and Luna her cat live in a shop doorway. They have only a few possessions but each one tells a story about their past and is very precious. Stopping to talk on their way to and from school, Jess and her mother make friends with Grace and Luna. They swap gifts and stories and Jess learns of the home that Grace had to leave and the long struggle to find a safe country in which to build a new home.

Buy a copy from LoveReading4Kids, here!

The Mexican Dreidel by Linda Elovitz Marshall & Ilan Stavans & Maria Mola (illustrator)

Danielito loves Janucá, especially playing dreidel. This year, he is old enough to visit Bobe by himself. Piñatas hang from the trees, and the kids in Bobe's neighbourhood play with Mexican tops called trompos. Danielito does not have a trompo, but he has a dreidel. "What is that?" "¿Qué es eso?" the other kids ask, as they invite him to join their game. The trompos follow the dreidel as it spins through the neighborhood. And Danielito invited his new friends, nuevos amigos, to Bobe's house to celebrate Janucá.

Buy a copy from Blackwell’s, here!

A Damsel Not In Distress! by Bethan Stevens

Once upon a time, hidden deep in a valley in a magical land far away, there was a very tall tower. The only problem is, the damsel is not in distress. She keeps telling the narrator that she’s perfectly fine. The “terrifying beasts” in the moat are a family of ducklings. The “prickly brambles” are her rose garden. And the “wicked old witch” is actually her grandma! But the narrator just won’t listen. When a scary, fire-breathing dragon comes to visit, it’s up to the damsel to take charge of her story and save the day for everyone.

Characterful illustrations transport readers to the magical world of the damsel’s kingdom, and easy to read text is perfect for young readers.

Buy a copy from Pages of Hackney, here!

9-12 Years Old

When We Become Ours edited by Shannon Gibney & Nicole Chung

These tales from fifteen bestselling, acclaimed, and emerging adoptee authors genuinely and authentically reflect the complexity, breadth, and depth of adoptee experiences. This ground-breaking collection centres what it’s like growing up as an adoptee. These are stories by adoptees, for adoptees, reclaiming their own narratives.

Buy a copy from Next Page Books, here!

Glitter Boy by Ian Eagleton

An unforgettable story about a boy facing up to bullying - and his own truths. James loves dancing, poetry, and Mariah Carey (not in that order, though, because Mariah would obviously be first!). His teacher, Mr Hamilton, is getting married to his boyfriend and it seems that James will be part of a surprise choir performance at the wedding.

Buy a copy from Queer Lit, here!

Momo Arashima Steal the Sword of the Wind by Misa Sugiura

At home, Momo cares for her mother; while at school, her classmates tease her for mixing up reality with the magical stories her mother used to tell her. But when a terrifying death hag attacks Momo, she realizes the stories are true – Momo’s mum is a Shinto goddess who used to protect the gate to Yomi, the land of the dead. Now that passageway is under attack, and countless evil spirits threaten to escape and destroy humanity. Momo – joined by a talking fox called Niko, and her former best friend, Danny – is the only one who can stop them. Can Momo embrace her identity as half-human, half-goddess to unlock her powers, force the demons back to Yomi – and save the world?

Buy a copy from Pages of Hackney, here!

Book Spotlight: Kung Food by Jon Kung - Diversify Publishing #29

An exciting and imaginative new cookbook is coming out tomorrow, eeek! Which I’ve been looking forward to sharing with you all as I’ve been lucky enough to share with you three of my favourite recipes from the book.

Kung Food by Jon Fung is a collection of 100 recipes that re-examines Chinese American food.

Jon Kung grew up as a "third-culture" kid: Born in Los Angeles, raised in Hong Kong and Toronto, and now living in Detroit, Jon learned to embrace his diasporic identity in the kitchen after pivoting his career from law school graduate to being a cook. When the pandemic shut down his immensely popular popup, he turned to social media—not just as a means of creative expression, but as a way to teach and inspire.

Over time, Jon discovered that expressing himself through food not only reflected his complicated identities, it affirmed them. From dumplings to the most decadent curried mac and cheese, Jon inspires millions through his creative recipes and content.

Below are three of my favourite recipes from the incredible collection: Crushed Cucumber Salad with Shanxi Vinaigrette, Chipotle Mango Sweet-and-Sour Pork, and Cold Chilli Oil Noodles. Picking just three recipes to share was very hard, as Jon has created the most amazing and very yummy looking recipes.

If any of these peeked your interest, like they did mine, follow the recipe guides below to make it yourself at home.

And if the recipes aren’t enough, Jon has a great YouTube channel dedicated to cooking tutorials. Check out his ramen hacks video below.

If you’d like to get a copy of Kung Food for yourself or gift it to family or friends, support Hive and order it, here (there’s currently 20% off)!!

Check out Jon’s socials below:

Twitter

Instagram

Youtube

Prize Spotlight: Jericho Prize - Diversify Publishing #22

I had the privilege of chatting with Fabia (pictured on the right or below), the founder of Jericho Prize! Enjoy reading the Q&A.

Tell me about Jericho Prize and what you do.

Of course! I love talking about what we do. The Jericho Prize is a not-for-profit UK-wide writing competition specifically for emerging Black-British writers for children. This year, we added a writer mentoring and development programme, so there are now two aspects to the project.

Everything we offer, the competition, our resources, workshops, mentoring, online writer groups, and so on, is free as we want as many writers to access the project as possible. We run the project roughly on an annual basis and try to have a different focus each year, for example, this year was picture books, but that’s not set in stone.

I had the idea for the Jericho Prize back in 2020 whilst spending a lot of time blogging about Black children’s books. I spotted a need to do more to support emerging Black children’s writers, writing particularly for very young audiences (8 years and below) who, as we know, are under-represented in UK children’s publishing along with other minoritized writers. After much head-scratching and hard work, the Jericho Prize launched in March 2021, and we haven’t really looked back!

How is Jericho Prize funded?

We’re really fortunate to be supported by public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England. The money they provide is the reason why everything the Jericho Prize offers remains free to access, including the competition. That said, Arts Council funding is not automatically guaranteed, and you have to reapply each year so we are always on the look-out for new funders who understand our vision and might want to support us down the line.

Since we launched, we’ve also been very lucky to have support in kind from several renowned publishing companies, such as Scholastic UK, Penguin Random House, and Alanna Max, and other brilliant literary organisations. Their support has been a massive help! Aside from all of that, I put in very long hours running the project, and am very grateful to my tiny team that supports me on a voluntary ad hoc basis.

Can you share what the process is like for yourself andthe judges reading submissions to finally picking a winner?

Sure! It’s always extremely exciting when the submissions start rolling in. Actually, I think it’s a mixture of excitement, tension and sheer relief – relief that writers have remembered to get their submissions in on time and the project is thankfully NOT going to flop! I don’t know why I worry so much as our inbox is always overflowing with delightful surprises, such a plethora of imaginative ideas and interesting themes. And, of course, it’s always super exciting when you spot the sparkly gems among the rough diamonds.

We have four rounds of reading: an initial sift, the first-and second-phase (longlisting and shortlisting) and then final judging. The final judges are book industry experts who decide on the winner anonymously after a couple of hours of enlightening and, often, spirited discussion about the shortlisted scripts.

My role in the judging proceedings has become more of a project management, coordinating role rather than any hands-on judging – I’ve been able to distance myself from that now that we’ve expanded. I basically make sure all the valid submissions move to the correct readers/judges at the right time and collate all the readers’ feedback and scores. Every eligible writer who enters the Jericho Prize receives written feedback from all phases of the competition which, I believe, is quite unusual for a competition to offer for free.

Honestly, all of this is quite painstaking, time-consuming manual work because I don’t have the budget for a whizzy automated submissions system. But because of my background in book publishing, specifically editorial project management, I’m used to monitoring lots of moving parts and complex spreadsheets, and I quite enjoy the organisational side of things. Consuming copious amounts of tea and cake always helps as well!

Tell us about how this year's Jericho Prize ceremony went? And who the finalists/winners are?

Our 22/23 awards ceremony included a fabulous showcase celebrating the writing journeys and work of the finalists, and it was such a joyous occasion.

I feel so proud of this particular event, not just because it’s the culmination of a year’s hard work but, also, the Jericho Prize is Black-led. This means our awards ceremony features prominently Black children’s writers in a welcoming space. It’s rare that you see a sea of Black faces at a children’s book event but at ours, you will, and that fills my heart! It was wonderful to have so many book industry people attend too!

This year’s winner, Antoinette Brooks (pictured above or to the left), won with a beautiful, authentically told picture book story called Friday Night Cake. She is an extremely talented writer and illustrator who will go very far – as will our other finalists: Paula Sampson-Lawrence, Siobhan Graham, Sebrina O’Connor and Krystal S Lowe. Watch this space! 

Are you able to share anything exciting you're currently working on?

Well, now that the 22/23 project has nearly come to an end, I’ll probably take some time over the summer to rest and relax with the family. Apart from that, it will be back to the drawing board for Jericho Prize ’24 – or it might be ’25 – I’m not sure yet.

I have got lots of exciting news related to the project that I can’t yet reveal – sorry! I’m also potentially starting a new role which complements the work I’m doing at the Jericho Prize. I’d love to share but, again, it’s all top secret at the moment. All will be revealed very soon!

If you’d like to check out the 22/23 awards ceremony, watch the video below!!

Check out the Jericho Prize’s socials below:

Website

Instagram

Twitter

Publishing Spotlight: Dinosaur Books - Diversify Publishing #19

Dinosaur Books is a Black owned micro publishing company. They produce thrilling, inclusive children’s fiction for five to fourteen year-olds, and champion underrepresented voices.

Their titles reflect the diversity of the company and beliefs in inclusion: championing authors and illustrators that are underrepresented in publishing; often working with debut writers and illustrators, who have not secured representation with larger companies.

I had the wonderful privilege of chatting with Sonya, the owner of Dinosaurs Books, for this weeks Q&A. Enjoy!

Tell us about Dinosaur Books and why it was founded.

We publish middle grade fiction and we are a micro press - a tiny independent publishing company - we publish 3 - 5 titles per year. The company was founded by Sonya McGilchrist who, like so many others who get into publishing (especially in the micro press sector) was inspired to publish the books that she wanted to be available for her own children.

What's the process behind finding new voices to publish? Do you have any advice for writers submitting work to you?

We publish a lot of debut authors, and many who have been unable to find representation elsewhere (with agents or publishers). The process is that we go through our submissions! We keep everything on file and periodically find the right book for us in our submissions file. But we probably miss lots of good stuff! I think my main advice is, read children's books if you want to be a children's writer and ensure that they are reasonably up to date children's books. Not to say don't read books published a while ago but read some up to date ones too.

What's it like publishing an incredible array of diverse and inclusive books for children?

When you get feedback from children who love the book, and/or have seen themselves in the book it's magic because you know that it's a book that has made a difference in the child's life and for some, it might even stay with them for years. That is a lovely feeling.

With printing costs and the cost of living increasing, has this had a negative effect on you as a Publisher?

We've had to put up our prices a little  - it's not something we want to do, but we had no choice. We've recently changed the covers of our Secret Dinosaur books, so we have some books with older covers and it's nice to be able to sell those more cheaply.

Can you tell us about any exciting projects you're currently working on?

Well we are working with Cheryl Diane Parkinson for a second middle grade novel, publishing in 2024. I think it's going to be amazing. I'm really excited about it. Cheryl is a great writer - but I can't give any details yet.

Check out Dinosaur Books’ socials below:

Website

Instagram

Twitter

Author Spotlight: Ian Eagleton - Diversify Publishing #17

Ian is the director of The Reading Realm, a platform dedicated to helping children develop reading for pleasure, grammar, and spelling. Download The Reading Realm app, here! Ian is also an educational consultant, primary school teacher, and author!!

Author of The Woodcutter and the Snow Prince, Violet’s Tempest, Nen and the Lonely Fisherman, Glitter Boy, and Rory’s Room of Rectangles.

Tell us about yourself and your journey to becoming an author?

My journey to becoming an author was long, painful, and difficult! I was actually a primary school teacher for thirteen years and loved modelling writing to the children, sharing stories with them, and watching them develop their own original voice when writing. I tried to get published for eight years and lost count of the number of rejections I got! SO MANY! To be honest, I wasn’t really sure what I was doing and just kept sending the same two or three picture books off to agents and publishers. I felt like these were ‘my’ stories and I couldn’t possibly write anything else. It wasn’t until I placed these stories down and moved away from them that I realised I could write about other things! You almost have to grieve the loss of your stories sometimes in order to be able to move on and craft new things. Once I’d done that, I found I was inspired to write about things that really mattered to me: the LGBTQ+ community, being a gay man, adopting a child.

I was actually just about to give up on the whole process in October 2020 and had said to my husband that I was going to go back to teaching full time and give up on the dream of becoming a children’s author. However, he told me to keep going and a month later I’d signed my first picture book, Violet’s Tempest! You never know what’s around the corner! Perseverance, stubbornness, and determination play a big part in your success I think.

What was your inspiration behind writing Glitter Boy?

Glitter Boy began life as a picture book called Mr. Hamilton’s wedding and gradually developed from there! It was inspired by my own experiences of homophobic bullying in secondary school and my career as a primary school teacher. I used to hear a lot of kids say, “Oh, that’s so gay!” to describe something as ‘rubbish’ and it really bothered me. My husband and I had just adopted our little baby boy too, so I was thinking a lot about the relationship between fathers and sons and this is a thread that’s explored throughout the story.

Essentially Glitter Boy is about the impact bullying has on an 11 year old boy called James. James loves singing, dancing, poetry and Mariah Carey! The book explore show James overcomes feelings of being on the outside, of being vilified and whispered about, and of being told he isn’t good enough. It’s a hopefully, joyous book about standing up for yourself, friendship, and LGBTQ+ history and pride.

How has it felt to see Glitter Boy have such a huge impact on children’s and even adult lives?

The reactions have been amazing! I always find it such a nerve-wracking process! I think releasing any book out into the world is a rollercoaster of emotions. There’s all the gruelling work that goes into the book, the excitement of publication day, the worries about school visits, and the concerns about how an LGBTQ+ middle grade book will be received.

However, I did get to go onto ITV News and talk about Glitter Boy, homophobic bullying, and Section 28. This was a real highlight for me!

The best thing has to be hearing from young readers though – it’s so special when your book speaks directly to someone and they find it a comfort. Lots of people in the LGBTQ+ community have reached out to me to tell me how much they loved Glitter Boy and that means an awful lot.

The best moment for me was on World Book Day when I was sent a photo of a young boy who was dressed up as James, the main character. His mum had made him a jacket covered in Mariah Carey artwork, he was wearing glitter and nail varnish and had the BIGGEST smile on his face. He’d been going through a really tough time and his mum was really emotional to see him so happy and free.

Do you have anything exciting in the pipeline for the year ahead?

So many exciting projects coming up! I’m just about to release my next picture book with Owlet Press, which is called Rory’s Room of Rectangles. It’s illustrated by Jessica Knight and is about blended families, stepdads, big feelings, and the power of art. It’s quite an unusual book in that I’m not sure we’ve seen a picture book explore these themes before!

I’m also starting work on my next middle grade book, which I’m really excited about and have signed contracts for new LGBTQ+ fairy tales. It’s all been a bit of a blur to be honest, but I’m feeling very lucky and grateful! It’s going to be a very busy few years!

What's one piece of advice you'd pass onto aspiring writers?

I think my writing really developed and matured when I began reading lots of poetry. For example, when I was writing my award-winning picture book, I read a lot of children’s poems about the sea and the beach. When I wrote Glitter Boy, I read a lot of poetry by queer writers and a lot of poems about feelings and emotions. There’s something about immersing myself in rich vocabulary and beautiful poems that really inspires me! I was really pleased to be able to challenge myself in Glitter Boy and write lots of poems from James’s perspective and have them woven through the story, developing the characters, and helping to show how James is feeling at certain points.

Watch Ian read Nen and the Lonely Fisherman on Moon Lane TV,  here!!

And check out Ian’s socials below:

Website

Instagram

Twitter

Bookshop Spotlight: The Bookish Type - Diversify Publishing #16

Ray and Nic run The Bookish Type, a queer indie bookshop in Leeds. Back in 2019 they started out by running pop-up bookstalls, which then turned into setting up a website, and finally a brick and mortar shop in September 2020.

The Bookish Type is a community bookshop aiming to actively support and work with the local queer community.

Here are some incredible things they do:

• Pay it forward scheme

• Running queer history tours around Leeds

• Second hand Sundays raising money for local grassroots LGBTIQA+ groups

• Bookish stroll, an outside book group chatting about queer books and walking around the park

It was such a pleasure to chat with Ray for this Q&A!

Why did you both start The Bookish Type back in 2019?

We started The Bookish Type because we've always loved visiting queer and radical bookshops. We were directly inspired by places like Gay's The Word and Housmans in London and also Category Is Books in Glasgow. Leeds has a vibrant queer scene so we thought, why not open something similar here?

What was the journey like going from running pop-up book stalls to opening up the bookshop in September 2020? Especially in the midst of Covid!

Running pop-ups was really useful because it helped us build an audience and enabled us to find out the type of queer books that people were after. It was nerve wracking opening up the shop because it felt like such a big commitment and obviously it was scary taking a gamble on how Covid would affect us. I think we did open the shop at the right time, and we've had so much support from the local queer community (and beyond!) that it's felt worth it.

What are you currently reading? And are there any books you're excited to get your hands on this year?

I've just finished reading The Feminist Killjoy Handbook by Sara Ahmed which is an excellent intersectional feminist book. It's a call for us all to embrace our inner feminist killjoy and identify and challenge prejudice in everyday life. It's also excellent in referencing earlier feminist thought, particularly from women of colour, and drawing on their ideas and arguments.

I'm excited to read Never Was by H. Garth Gavin which is described as 'mind-bending' and 'dreamy'. It's about transmasculinity, class, grief and addiction and sounds weird and wonderful which is what I expect from a book published by Cipher Press.

Do you have a top piece of advice for running a bookshop?

Don't let it take over your life!

Check out The Bookish Type’s socials below:

Website

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook

Author Spotlight: Octavia Goredema MBE - Diversify Publishing Newsletter #15

Octavia Goredema MBE is a career coach and the founder of Twenty Ten Agency. Her mission is to help underrepresented professionals advance their careers.

Octavia is the author of PREP, PUSH, PIVOT: Essential Career Strategies for Underrepresented Women, published by Wiley. She has coached leaders at renowned companies including Google, American Airlines, Tinder, General Motors, Nike, and Dow Jones.

Octavia was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by the Queen in recognition of her work. Octavia is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, where she leads the Gender Equity network in the United States. You can learn more about Octavia’s work at octaviagoredema.com.

Have you always wanted to be a writer? And how did your journey begin?

Yes, I always dreamed of being an author, for pretty much as long as I can remember. As a little girl I was just obsessed by books and captivated by stories. Back then my biggest dream was to write the kind of fiction books that I loved to read. But over the course of time, I gradually gave up on that dream. I just didn't think that I was good enough to be an author or that it was meant to be for me.

Then five years ago, while I was at a speaking engagement at the University of Oxford, I decided that I was going to do it. I decided I was going to see what would happen if I just kept pushing and didn’t give up this time. And that’s how this journey began.

What's your Author journey been like so far? (process of getting published, working whilst also writing etc.)

Oh, the journey so far has been truly amazing. It’s such a thrill to visit bookstores and see my book on their shelves, that never gets old. It always blows me away to hear from people who have read or listened to my book and hear how it has helped them.

My author journey began with writing a book proposal that I pitched to literary agents. After I received an offer of representation, my literary agency used the book proposal to reach out to publishers. I received an offer from my publisher, Wiley, and after my book deal was signed, I started to write my book.

I wrote my manuscript over the course of the year. I started writing in 2020 in the first few months of the pandemic. Looking back, that probably was the best time to write a book even though at the time it felt like it was the worst time possible. But I did it. I met every single one of my deadlines and my book, PREP, PUSH, PIVOT, was published in hardcover and also as an audiobook and ebook in 2022. Last month, PREP, PUSH, PIVOT was announced as a best business / personal development book finalist at the Audio Publishers Association Audie Awards, which truly was a milestone moment for me.

Tell us about Prep Push Pivot and what inspired you to write it?

PREP, PUSH, PIVOT is a career coaching guide for underrepresented women in the workplace. I'm a career coach and I work with companies to provide career advancement and leadership development coaching to their employees. I love what I do, but I recognize that most people don't work at a company that can pay for a coach to come in and work with them directly. As a Black woman I wanted to create a resource that minority women could use to address the pivotal challenges we face at different moments, whether that’s figuring out our next role, knowing our worth, negotiating salary, asking for a promotion, bouncing back from losing a role, finding a mentor or trying to balance our career goals as a caregiver or a working parent.

What advice would you give to underrepresented writers?

First of all, my advice would be to talk to as many authors as you possibly can. If you’re dealing with writers’ block, talk to others about how they handle that. If you’re looking for a literary agent, talk to other authors about how they found their representation. If you’re self-publishing or hybrid publishing, talk to authors about the vendors they used or the processes they followed. If you’re prepping for your book launch, talk to authors who have done this before to bounce around ideas for marketing and promotion.

Talk to as many people as you can but remember one person's journey won't necessarily be the same as yours. Try not to get overwhelmed, and don’t feel pressured to replicate exactly what someone else did. Be open to suggestions, but make sure you clarify what you want to experience as a writer and then commit to enjoying the process.

Do you have anything exciting in the pipeline for the upcoming year?

Yes, I have a series of events coming up that I’m looking forward to! I’m going to be speaking at bestselling author Jon Gordon’s Power of Positive Summit and I’m headed to New York to teach three classes at New York University’s Stern School of Business. And, I have a brand-new project that will be announced very soon that I’m super excited about. If you join my email community, you’ll be first to hear about it. I have a feeling that 2023 is going to be a memorable year.

Check out Octavia’s socials below!!

Agency Spotlight: Hannah Sheppard Literary Agency - Diversify Publishing Newsletter #14

On Tuesday 14th March, Hannah Sheppard launched the Hannah Sheppard Literary Agency (HS-LA)!! HS-LA is a boutique agency with the primary focus on bringing down barriers to entry for Authors and consciously building up a community of Authors who celebrate diverse and joyful representation.

Tell us about HS-LA and why it was founded?

I’ve always loved the idea of having my own business. When I was at university, I set up a poetry press with some friends and when I moved across to agenting from editorial (I’ve been an agent for 10 years, after being an editor in-house for 10 years before that) it was always with setting up my own agency at the back of my mind. Over the years I’ve done numerous one to ones with aspiring authors and I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been told that publishing feels impenetrable and there seems to be a general idea that agents are incredibly fierce and intimidating. On top of that, I’ve been paying a lot of attention to the issues we have in the industry - both in terms of diversity of staff and authors and the barriers to entry that exist, and I wanted to start an agency that tried to address some of these issues.

What experience and knowledge from your time at DHH Literary Agency will you be bringing into your new Agency? And how will you be making a change when it comes to demystifying publishing for Authors?

I’m a very editorially led agent - I love working with authors to develop ideas and so that editorial background is definitely something I’ll be putting to use. But I also aim to be more outspoken about the changes the industry needs, to build my list with inclusion in mind and to help authors navigate the industry more easily. I have a page of recourses for authors on my website which I’ll be adding to over time, and once a month I’ll be holding a zoom drop-in session for authors (and people who want to work in the industry) to come and chat and ask questions.

What exciting plans do you have for the Agency in the upcoming months and year ahead?

I hope to have lots of excellent book deals to announce soon - I have some amazing books coming through at the moment which I’m really excited about pitching to editors. I also plan to hold at least one virtual pitch session for authors… I may do some in person in future too, but at the moment I think the virtual option is the most accessible to the widest range of authors.

Check out the HS-LA socials below to keep track of what they get up to, new clients and book reveals, details on their monthly aspiring Author Zoom drop-ins, and more!!

Publisher Spotlight: Formy Books CIC - Diversify Publishing Newsletter #13

Formy Books CIC was founded in 2020 by partners Ebony Lyon and Curtis Ackie. They are a Community Interest Company and Independent Children’s Book Publisher.

‘We create inclusive and authentic children’s stories, transforming everyday life into fun and fantastic adventures.’

What sets Formy Books apart from big commercial publishers?

We're a tiny (just 3 of us!) micro-publisher, which can be challenging as we all wear many hats; however, it also gives us a unique opportunity to approach publishing with fresh eyes. We don't come from a publishing background and haven't been restricted by the same rules, so we have been free to be agile and challenge the status quo - to create processes and structures that align with our passion and values and to publish books we genuinely believe in.

We started with a straightforward aim: to create beautiful books allowing our children to see themselves reflected and grow from there. That's always been at the heart of what we do - inclusive and authentic children's stories that celebrate Black characters, championing authors and illustrators from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds and communities. In 2020 when we formed Formy Books, the CLPE published their Reflecting Realities report on Ethnic Representation in UK Children's Literature, which showed that out of 6748 books published in the previous year, only 129 had a Black main character. Additionally, only 1% (less than 20) of creators were Black-British. I'm thrilled to say we've seen a massive increase in both these numbers, and the industry has proved committed to change in this regard.

Can you share with us what upcoming Children's titles you're publishing this year?

We'll have some exciting news about our upcoming books, including cover reveals and launching pre-orders, in the next few weeks! What I can say is that we will publish three new titles this year; an LGBTQ+ inclusive picture book by a debut author, which will be released in June for Pride and two titles that will be launched in October, just in time for Black History Month and Halloween

Do you have any advice you can share with debut authors on getting published?

Focus on what you are most passionate about; it keeps stories authentic, and don't give up. Publishing can be trend-led, but many amazing micro and indie publishers seek fresh and unique perspectives. Budget restraints mean that they will probably only publish a few titles a year, so keep an eye on submission windows (which may be short!) and look at what they have published previously to get a feel for if your work would be a great fit.

Formy Books have an incredible ever-growing selection of Children’s Picture Books. Head over to their social media platforms to check them out and buy yourself or a loved one, copies of their books!!

Author Spotlight: Leslie Clark - Diversify Publishing Newsletter #12

Leslie Clark is a wife, mother, engineer, entrepreneur, and Author. Her love for children and volunteering in her community sparked her desire to write books that reflect on issues as well as topics she believed were not being discussed. Clark is a native of Bradenton, Florida but currently resides in Buford, Georgia with her husband and kids. She has been jotting down her ideas for over a decade but recently found the spark needed to turn those ideas into reality. Her goal is to reach as many children of all backgrounds as she can and instil in them a spirit of love, ownership, and lifelong learning.

The ABCs of the Stock Market

Tell me about yourself and why you decided to write The ABCs of the Stock Market for Beginners and The Blended Family Series?

‘I’ve always had a passion for reading and writing. I believe for a child to develop a passion like this it’s about what visuals they see at home. And depending on your economic status, your parents may have worked a lot and not had the time to pull out a book and read with you. When I look back at my childhood, education was always a driving force for us, I cannot recall sitting on the couch rolled up reading a book.

I always thought I’d end up as a Journalist at a news station, however my love for Maths and Science lead me to pursue a career in Engineering. Although this is something I do now, my love for writing combined with my love for mentoring minority children led to me thinking “why not become an Author as well”.

My first book, The ABCs of the Stock Market, came through as a passion during the pandemic as I was having a lot more free time and I wanted to find multiple streams of income. As I was learning more about the stock market and chatting to my peers and their children about it, no one knew anything about it. There seemed to be a lack of knowledge and fear associated with this topic. The ‘ABCs’ books are a trend at the moment amongst children’s books, so why not create one to navigate the stock market; something both children and adults can learn from. This is a book that can start to bridge the gap of knowledge for all ages and continue to build on it.

My Blended Family series is something I have been working on for a long time. I am a product of a blended family and my family with my husband is a blended family, I have been around a lot of blended families. And as I navigated my own journey I couldn’t find much positive representation in books on this topic. I’ve found that blended families can be looked on as a taboo subject or even as a selfish mentality of “I could never date someone with a child”. This is why my series was create, I wanted something that could touch on such as happy milestones, sad times, that these blended families interact with. I want not only children to have something to resonate but for the parents being the head of these blended families to engage in the stories and know there is a way for these situations to be healthy, be drama-free, and a way for all of us involved to work together.

The Blended Family Series

I hope this series can touch one family at a time, one child at a time, or even spark that conversation and open doors - “dad/mum I would like to see my sibling more” etc.

According to the US department of family and children, 40% of families are blended families (in the UK between 11-15%) and around 1,300 new stepfamilies are created each day (read full article here) - which is wild. Blended families are becoming the norm, which is why more literature on these topics and norms needs to be produced.’

What’s the process behind becoming a self-published Author?

‘Right now all my books are self-published through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and I have uploaded it through IngramSpark. I did the majority of everything myself. I solicited the illustrations through Upwork and partnered with them to get everything I needed for each book and they also formatted the book to make sure it was ready for uploading to KDP. And then I found an Editor through a group I found on Facebook. The next stage was getting pre-orders through KDP.

Self-publishing is an interesting dynamic and it’s all new to me. What’s been great is being part of a group on Facebook for children’s book Authors, I’ve been able to get really great tips on there as well as support for my books. For getting my books out there, I’ve been using social media and getting friends and family to share posts and links to purchase them.

So far, everything is going really well. Since publishing all three books October 2022, I have sold close to 200.’

What advice would you share to other Authors looking to become Self-Published?

1. Set a budget that you’re comfortable with to spend on getting your book(s) produced. This will allow you to comfortably find the right illustrators and editors you can afford.

2. Illustrations really drive your sales, especially within Children’s books. Depending on your illustrations and what your cover image look like and how well they’re produced, this will be the difference between whether a customer will spend the money to buy your book or not.

3. Pricing your book is incredibly important. As an avid customer on Amazon purchasing books, I will be more inclined to buy a book in the range of $10-12. Your book needs to be priced correctly, as you don’t want to price yourself out of a random buy.

4. Follow-up customers for reviews. As reviews are so important, especially for debut and self-published Authors. And even if a purchased wasn’t made on Amazon, customers can still make a review on there as Amazon and their customers take reviews very seriously. These follows can be done in-person with QR codes, social media, and follow-up emails.

Support Leslie and purchase a copy of her three books, here!

Author Spotlight: Annemarie Anang - Diversify Publishing Newsletter #11

Anang by Ola Eklöf

Annemarie Anang is an actress, musician and former primary school teacher. She began writing for children after struggling to find books for her daughter that featured main characters who reflected the diversity of children in our world. She campaigns for better mental health and well-being in early years. Annemarie was awarded the 2021 SCBWI/BIPOC writer’s scholarship. A Londoner, born to Ghanaian parents, she lives in Sweden with her young daughter, husband and two adopted cats.

Tell me about yourself.

‘I’m essentially a storyteller through a variety of mediums so I work as an actor, children’s book author, musician and have a background in teaching too. I also campaign for better children’s mental health and well-being.’

Have you always been interested in writing and becoming an Author?

‘Yes, but thought I’d do this much later in life. When I discovered that less than 6% of children’s book creators were people of colour, and that only 5% of children’s books had an ethnic minority main character, I felt I had no choice but become part of the change that was needed, not just for the sake of my own daughter, but for ALL children. Reading books written about a character you identity with instils self-worth and reading about those from different background is how empathy can be created. Both of these are vital for good mental health and well-being as well as for sustainable living. The latest CLPE Reflecting Realities and Book Trust Represents reports show an increase but proves my job is not done yet. I love writing for children and consider it an honour and a dream job that I’d love to still be doing when I’m 75-years-old.’

Where do you draw your inspiration from for writing?

‘My daughter, life observations, and things I didn’t know as child that I would like children to know.’

Tell me about your children’s book, I Am Nefertiti.

‘Instilling confidence in children is so important, especially in a society where difference, uniqueness and individuality are sometimes not respected or valued. I AM NEFERTITI is a heart-warming, joyful story for everyone about identity, belonging and recognising the importance each player has in the bigger team. I purposefully chose a black girl who played a challenging instrument and wanted to give her a beautiful rhythmical name with a wonderful meaning, like Nefertiti. Being a musician, I naturally chose a musical setting, and the book has some rhyming sections.

Nefertiti plays the drums, and the band comes together as one. “I am Nefertiti” she says, and she feels ten feet tall. But when the new music teacher shortens her name to ‘Nef’, bit by bit, she starts to shrink. Without Nefertiti to keep the beat, the band is in disarray . . . “I am Nefertiti!” she whispers to herself. Drawing on her inner strength and with the support of the other children, they help Miss Potts recognise the importance of honouring Nefertiti’s name. Now, when Nefertiti keeps the beat, the music sounds so sweet!

Still from ‘Nefertiti Keeps the Beat’ filmed by Clyde Circus Productions AB

There are a lot of fun resources on my website and a musical educational mini video series on YouTube, NEFERTITI KEEPS THE BEAT, where children are introduced to Nefertiti’s band and their wonderful global instruments.

I AM NEFERTITI is an ideal story for classroom discussions, book group settings and at home around the themes of identify, self-confidence and peer support.’

What was your experience like with getting published and the process behind that?

It happened pretty quickly. I came back from tour with a bunch of story ideas and a couple of completed stories that I felt pretty confident about. I discovered a publisher I was interested in had open submissions for a very limited time, so limited that I wouldn’t be able to find a critique group to critique my work. Fortunately, members of SCBWI BI Facebook were very helpful in recommending Natascha Biebow of Blue Elephant Storyshaping as a freelance editor. She gave me very useful feedback in time for submission. Natascha is also the editorial director for Five Quills and soon after they made me an offer for one of my stories! Amazing illustrator Natelle Quek agreed to be on board and one year and 3 months later, my debut children’s book I AM NEFERTITI was published!

During this time, I deeply immersed myself in the of publishing industry by researching and participating in a heap of workshops, courses and conferences ran by SCBWI and Megaphone. A few months after publication I also became agented.

What advice would you give others who are looking to get published and making a full-time career as an Author?

Be brave when it comes to submitting your work to a publisher or finding an agent. It can be scary to share your work with others but there will always be rejection and that should be an expected part of your journey. Learn from it by listening to the advice that is useful and get back on your horse.

If you live in or around London and have children aged 3-7 years old, Annemarie will be partnering with Round Table Bookshop to do an I AM NEFERTITI sing-a-long workshop at Deptford Literature Festival, Saturday 18 March 10:00-10:45am.

Book and reserve your FREE space, here!

I AM NEFERTITI is available from all good bookstores including Afrori Books, Bookshop.org, and Five Quills.

Connect with Annemarie Anang:

Instagram: @annemarieauthor

Twitter: @AnnemarieAnang

Website: www.annemarieanang.com

Children’s mental health and well-being campaign: here!

Author Spotlight: Jeffrey Jones - Diversify Publishing Newsletter #10

Jeffrey Jones is the debut Author of De Hymne: De liefde van dé man gaat door de slaaf (Translated: The Hymn: The way to a man’s heart is through his slave). Born to Ghanaian and Belgian parents, he has enjoyed a bicultural upbringing and passed on the importance of the history of Africa’s colonial past.

Jones currently resides in Ghent with his fiancée, Delphine, and their children. Where as well as being an Author, he also works as a Youth Worker and Coach.

De Hymne follows the story of a slave couple in the Southern part of Virginia, as they’re expecting their first child. They both have different perspectives in terms of what they should do, how they’ll survive, and stay protected. Anna wants her child to be free of slavery however, Jonathan, gets on well with the slave master and believes they’ll be more protected as slaves than possibly being separated and sold again into the slave world if they escape. What choice will they make?

Although De Hymne is written in Dutch and the English rights have yet to be bought (fingers crossed), this debut novel has an extremely powerful storyline I had to share it.

Inspiration for the cover image came from a drawing done by Delphine.

What was the process of writing De Hymne?

• Back in 2002 I went to Ghana for the second time as an 11 year-old. During this visit I have clear memories of visiting the Slave Castle in Cape Coast, a couple miles from my father’s birthplace (pictured below), and thinking how this history is in my bloodline, this is part of my story.

• Then in 2006 as a 15 year-old, I watched the 1977 version of Roots. This was the start of writing a story of slavery, where I wrote the first five pages of my debut novel.

• The official writing process began in 2020 at the start of the Covid-19 lockdown, where I had a lot of time on my hands to begin the writing journey. At school I was never really the best in class, but I found so much joy in writing. Once I finished the novel, I started to let Delphine read it (I was still insecure of the quality so I kept it a secret). Eventually I presented it to my family, which lead to my sister on 8th February 2022 sending me a open submission call out from Boekscout, a Publishing House in the Netherlands. Two months later I received a life changing call!

Jones and his siblings (Janice & Justin) in Cape Coast Castle, Ghana.

How was it growing up in Belgium as half Ghanaian and half Belgian, especially with their racist history?

• Honestly, I never saw it as a negative being a biracial and growing up in a white community. I luckily enough never encountered racism or felt like the colour of my skin withheld me from anything. Although I’m not saying Belgium is completely racism-free, nor any country for that matter.

• Being the only brown kid at school I thought I had to like baggy clothes and be the biggest fan of hip hop.

And how has this experience influenced you as an Author and your debut novel?

• My experiences and history has 100% completely influenced De Hymne. I’ve had a huge advantage of having both parts (Ghanaian and Belgian) in me, which is what influenced the many layers there are throughout the novel. The layers of the slave master, how as you read the novel you go through waves of feeling compassion of him but then also utter hatred towards him.

What has your journey been like in the publishing world so far?

• It had been very exciting. One month in and already 200 copies have been sold! I was told by my Publisher that the average for debut novels is 44 copies to be sold in the first month.

• During the promotion period for the book, I just wanted to scream about it to the world. But it’s coming to the realisation that sometimes the world isn’t as excited or as energetic for your book as you are.

What piece of advise would you pass onto writers in the very beginning of their journey?

• Enjoy the process, not everyone writes a book!

• Be proud of your work. Your book is a gift to the world, it will outlive your family, friends, and yourself! I’ve dedicated my book to my children, I feel like it’s one of the best gifts I can give them.

What are your plans going forward? Do you have anything in the pipeline?

• Promotion is absolutely key right now. I really enjoy conversations like this and I want to keep doing presentations and readings for the book.

• I want to visit my Grandma in Ghana and show her this book I’ve written, even though she doesn’t speak Dutch!

• So far, I’ve received great feedback about De Hymne. Some have asked if I’m going to write a sequel, but I really like the ending it has. A sneak peek into what I would like to write about for my second novel is Ancient Egypt. A lot of research is needed though.. You’ll have to find out in 2026/2027 for when it is due!

For anyone interested in the adventures of Anna & Jonathan, following the link here!

A HUGE thank you to Jeffrey Jones for being part of my first Author spotlight for the newsletter. I hope you all enjoyed reading the interview, and don’t forget to check out the De Hymne socials below:

Facebook / Instagram / Email / Website

A Highlight of 2022's Diverse Children's Book - Diversify Publishing Newsletter #6

From BookTrust’s most recent research into representation in children’s books and how it impacts children’s motivation to read:

• 11% of children told BookTrust not being able to find books they relate to, stops them from reading.

• 56% of schools say budget is the main factor that stops them from increasing representation in the books they use.

• “Reading is really important because you can lose yourself in a book. When you’re reading or writing for pleasure, you can just sit down and get loads of ideas that can really help you when it comes to your English at school.” - Year 7 Student

Read the full BookTrust research piece, here!

Seeing how important diversity and inclusivity is to children and their reading, I’ve put together a highlight reel of some of my favourite diverse children’s books published this year.

0-3 Year Olds

My First Book of Famous Jews by Julie Merberg

Fun book of illustrations with entertaining rhymes of some of the most influential and iconic Jews.

Support A New Chapter, order from here.

My Little Dragon by Rochelle Humes

Beautifully illustrated picture book with an interactive story all about a dragon and finding out what they eat.

Order from Hive, here.

My Daddies! by Gary Parsons

A board book championing same-sex parents and inclusive families.

Support Queer Lit, order from here.

The Every Baby Book by Frann Preston-Gannon

Follow six families and what they do during their day. A fun book for babies to recognise and relate to as they watch a daily routine that may be similar to their own - from napping, to playing, to bath time!

Order from Hive, here.

3-5 Years Old

Zazi Finds Plantain by Ogaga Emuveyan

Beautifully illustrated adventure of Zazi and her dad heading out to the market to find plantain, will they find it before dinner time?

Support Book Love, order from here.

I Love Me! by Marvyn Harrison

A brilliant self-affirming and positive book about loving yourself. Something every child deserves and needs to hear - I love me!

Support Afrori Books, order from here.

A Dress With Pockets by Lily Murray

Dress shopping can be so much fun when there are so many to choose from. But, Lucy wants a dress WITH pockets! Will she find the dress of her dreams?

Order from Hive, here.

Dadaji’s Paintbrush by Rashmi Sirdeshpande

A wonderfully heartfelt story about how Dadaji loves to teach his grandson how to paint, however when Dadaji passes away his grandson no longer wants to paint. Until one day a girl knocks on the door and the grandson discovers how many lives Dadaji has touched with his art.

Order from Hive, here.

5-8 Years Old

Questions & Answers About Racism by Jordan Akpojaro

An extremely important lift-the-flap question and answer book focusing on difficult questions and providing advice for dealing with racism. What is race? How did racism begin?

Support Afrori Books, order from here.

Where We Live: Mapping Neighbours of Kids Around the Globe by Margriet Ruurs

A unique illustrated map exploring the neighbourhoods of 16 different real-life children around the world. Learn all about each child’s neighbourhood, where they play, interesting facts about where they live, and more!

Order from Hive, here.

Eyes That Speak to the Stars by Joanna Ho

Affirming poetry of how a boy recognises his own power and ability to change the future. Following a hurtful picture created by a friend, he turns to his family and is inspired by the many men in his life to help provide him with strength to overcome the bullying.

Support Truman Books, order from here.

Kimchi, Kimchi Every Day by Erica Kim

A fun book exploring all the different ways you can eat kimchi in a wonderful rhyming tale.

Order from Blackwell’s, here.

9-12 Years Old

Joyful, Joyful curated by Dapo Adeola

A beautifully curated book of stories and colourful illustrations focusing on celebrating Black voices. Stories and poems to spread Black joy.

Support Afrori Books, order from here.

The Book of Legends: What If All The Stories Were Real? by Lenny Henry

A wonderful adventure following twins, Bran and Fran. When their mother disappears in a lightening strike, exactly what happened to their father, the twins are alone! Will they survive this new world full of magical legends where everything changes??

Support Afrori Books, order from here.

Small Town Pride by Phil Stamper

Jake is finally enjoying his life at the first school where he is openly gay. However, not everyone in the small town of Ohio is as accepting as his friends and family. Will Jake get approval for the first pride festival in Barton Springs?

Support Queer Lit, order from here.

Future Hero: Race To Fire Mountain by Remi Blackwood

Jarell discovers his world of fantasy doodles is real. He is suddenly launched into his own world and goes on an incredible adventure where he is the hero.

Support Books On The Hill, order from here.

Want to Publish with an Indie? - Diversify Publishing Newsletter #5

‘Independent publishers take risks on books that are underserved by commercial publishing. There are countless cases where independent presses have taken a chance on a book that might not have seemed saleable to a big house and then gone on to achieve critical and even popular success. Our reading would be less diverse, more insular, and our literary culture poorer without them.’ - Adam Levy, Founder and Co-Publisher of Transit Books. Read the full Writer’s Digest article, here.

Formy Books CIC - Established in 2020 by partners, Ebony Lyon and Curtis Ackie, and is a Community Interest Company and Independent Children’s Publisher. ‘We create inclusive and authentic children’s stories, transforming everyday life into fun and fantastic adventures’. They are currently open for art submissions from emerging artist that have the desire to be in or to learn about children’s publishing. Read more about the submission criteria, here!

Neem Tree Press - A vibrant independent publishing house with a focus on producing books that change and broaden perspectives. Their titles are from a global scope, with titles from around the world. Submissions are open for fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, and illustrated books from all languages in a broad variety of themes. Read more about the submission criteria, here!

RedDoor Press - The UK’s leading hybrid publisher - between a tradition publishing and self-publishing services. Each year they publish 20 books a year, allowing the authors to feel involved, informed, and fully supported. Submissions are open for fiction, commercial non-fiction, and business books. Read more about the submission criteria, here!

Fum d’estampa Press - Founded in 2020 by translator Douglas Suttle, to bring different Catalan language literature to an English speaking audience. They are now a well established and ambitious publisher of high-quality titles that have been short and long-listed for UK and abroad literary prizes. Originally FdP published only Catalan literature in translation, but have since then branched out to translations of French, Spanish, and Norwegian. Now submissions are open for Fiction and Non-Fiction with an emphasis on titles that are bold, ambitious, and creative - that are also originally in English. Read more about the submission criteria, here!

Tramp Press - Launched by Lisa Coen and Sarah Davis-Goff in Dublin in 2014; specialising in Irish fiction and internationally. Read their article in The Guardian as to why ‘sexists need not apply’ and why they refuse to read manuscripts that are addressed to ‘Dear Sirs’ or list only male influences, here. Submissions are open for fiction and narrative non-fiction. There is particular interest if you identify as someone under-represented in literature. Read more about the submission criteria, here!

Linen Press - The only small independent publisher in the UK that is run by women, for women. Their policy is all about encouraging and promoting women writers and to give a voice to a wide range of perspectives and themes that are relevant to women. Submissions are open for established and emerging writers of literary fiction, top end contemporary fiction, memoirs, biographies, short stories, and poetry. Read more about the submission criteria, here!

Subscribe to the Bi-monthly Diversify Publishing Newsletter: here!

Business Spotlight: Everyday Racism - Diversify Publishing Newsletter #4

Everyday Racism was founded by two sisters, Natalie Evans and Naomi Evans, Activists, Speakers and Authors of ‘The Mixed-Race Experience’.

Everyday Racism specialises in anti-racism training. Their mission statement is ‘to listen, learn, and do the work’.

Following a viral video of Natalie confronting two racists verbally abusing a Black train guard, something that continue to play on her mind is how she, a Black woman, was the only person to stand up and say something in the moment. ‘We felt it was important for people to see what was really going on, particularly when you hear comments such as “racism isn’t really a problem in the UK”’ - Natalie and Naomi Evans. Read the full Red Women article: here!

With what started off as an Instagram platform for Black and Brown people to share their experiences, specifically within the UK, it’s incredible to see the community that has been built and continue to see how it’s growing.

‘An important and welcome addition to the ongoing conversation about who we are in this society… current, informative, thought-provoking’ - Bernardine Evaristo’s review on The Mixed-Race Experience.

Support Afrori Books, order The Mixed Raced Experience here!

Fancy joining their book club? Check it out here!

Subscribe to the Bi-monthly Diversify Publishing Newsletter: here!

Advice for Women by Women - Diversify Publishing Newsletter #4

I asked women on Twitter and LinkedIn ‘what’s the best career advice you’ve received (or given) that’s encouraged you, helped you grow, and lifted you up in your career?’, and here is what they had to say:

1. Make friends and connections with people from other departments or companies. You can learn so much from/ about other roles, which could lead you to finding a different job you could go into. I’d also advice you to go to them for help when you need it!

2. It’s not just about doing a job well, your attitude and likeability has a huge amount to do with whether people vouch for you or remember you when early on in your career. That doesn’t mean you have to be a sycophant or compromise on your integrity. But, being positive, friendly, and willing to pitch in helps enormously.

3. Jasmine, founder of Storymix, shared advice she received at the start of her Editing career. ‘Editing is like writing on someone’s skin. Take care. It has always stood me in good stead and I think authors I’ve edited for have appreciated it as well.’

4. Rejection is redirection. Especially powerful advice for those searching for their first publishing role, as constant rejections can be so disheartening!

5. Octavia, Career Coach and Author, shared her advice. ‘Know your worth, even when it’s not reflected back on you. Building your career is hard. There will be many times when your achievements and value are not validated. There will be so many times when you are invisible to others. Keep pushing anyway. Your worth starts and ends with you.’

Image Credit - Image by L’Oreal, Paris.

Subscribe to the Bi-monthly Diversify Publishing Newsletter: here!

Negotiating At Work - Diversify Publishing Newsletter #2

Two weeks ago I attended a Young Publishers event at The Indigo Press office in London. The event consisted of a panel of incredible women working at Book Careers, Pan Macmillan, and BookMachine chatting about their experience with negotiating at work and a Q&A.

Here are some key takeaways:

1. Never feel grateful for working in Publishing. It’s Publishing’s honour to have you work for them.

2. When questioning things at work, take a holiday. This will help figure out if it’s stress or just a bad week, and then act accordingly (speak with you boss about changes to make work life better or start working on a Plan B).

3. Know all the facts before negotiating. If it’s about your salary, a great resource to compare Publishing salaries at each level is the annual salary survey by Book Careers: 2021 results.

4. When to start the conversation? If you’re brave enough, start it when you’re offered the job, or as soon as you’re feeling overworked/ when something new is added to you job description, or when your workload is increased.

5. When deciding what’s the best time to approach your boss to start the conversation of negotiating, watch their body language - 80% of communication is nonverbal. This will allow you to gaege if it feels right to book in a chat.

6. If you still need guidance before beginning the journey of negotiating, Book Careers offers 15-minute free chats all year round: check it out.

7. What if you can’t start the conversation yet? Start putting boundaries in place - finishing work on time or letting your boss know when you’re too busy to add to your workload and if they want you to re-prioritise.

8. Don’t be afraid to leave the meeting saying you want to think about what was said before coming back with an answer or a plan.

9. The worst your boss could say is no. Then it’s up to you with what you do with that - are you happy to stay or do you need to start considering what else is out there?

10. Finally, NEVER work for free - it’s 2022!

What I Read - March & April 2022

Boys Don’t Cry by Fiona Scarlett

Such an incredibly powerful book.
A book that you just can’t put down and just can’t help but sob your way through the pages.
A story of childhood cancer, the love of a family, and the horrible luck of being born into gang culture.

Don’t Let It Get You Down: Essays on Race, Gender, and the Body by Savala Nolan

It really reminded me of The Good Immigrant, with each chapter of this book feeling like an essay.
I felt so touched to be given an insight into Savala's life, her thoughts on her race, body image, and family history. Being mixed race myself, I find it extremely hard to know where I fit in. Am I going to fit into with the White crowd, the Indian crowd, or mixed race crowd today? And the privileges that come with being mixed with white.

I cannot recommend this book enough. It will open your eyes on being female, body image issues, and being mixed.

What I Read - February 2022

Falling Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah

When I was younger, I read the Chinese Cinderella and I had no idea until I started to read this book that they’re by the same author and Falling Leaves is more of an adult version and gives a full overview of Adeline’s story. If you haven’t already, I would definitely recommend reading Chinese Cinderella, it gives more of a revised version of her autobiography and not solely about her life as an unwanted child.

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo

WHAT A BOOK !!!!

I cannot believe it has taken me three years to read this beautiful book. This is so deserving of the Booker Prize 2019.

What I loved the most about this book is how everyone's story interlinks, like in Love Actually. Finding out as you read, who knows who and what their relationships are like; it really gelled the book together nicely and made me more emotionally attached to each character.

Each person's story is so powerful, beautiful, and heart breaking at times. There were even moments of pure shock, reading the actions of certain characters - definitely do not what to give too much away here. But wow, I ended up hating a certain character A LOT.

Bernadine’s style of writing to me is so unique, no full stops, no capital letters at the start of each new sentence or paragraph... so unlike what I've read before, but in the best way. It really added something to my reading experience and allowed me to flow through it so easily.

There Are Girls like Lions by Cole Swensen

I'm still very new to the world of poetry. At times I feel like I understand the world these women speak of... yet at other times, I feel like an alien.