Resources for the Book Community to Support Black Voices

Posted byzoreads Leave a comment on Resources for the Book Community to Support Black Voices

The publishing industry is a predominantly white industry, with 76% of people working in publishing identifying as white in 2019. As an industry responsible for sharing stories, shaping narratives, and promoting empathy and knowledge, the lack of diversity in employees is deeply troubling. It is consequently important for the non-Black book community to be intentional about how we engage with the publishing industry and how we uphold white supremacy in literary spaces. 

I’ve seen great resources, booklists, and educational information on how to support Black voices in the publishing industry— from writers to bookstagramers to booksellers. Here is a list of some resources together to promote anti-racist thought and action in the book community. 

For those looking for actions not specific to the publishing industry/book community, here is a link for petitions, resources for calling and emailing, and places to donate: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co 

Feel free to reach out with any resources you’d like me to add to this list.

Readings & Booklists

Antiracist Booklists

Antiracist reading lists offer nonfiction reading on how to be antiracist. This reading is one of the best ways to get educated about movements, history, and your own racist biases, privileges, or actions. We need to buy these books, read these books (not just right now, but as a part of our “regular” reading), then translate our new understanding into action.

For Kids & Teens

While anti-racist reading is important, it’s important to read and support all sorts of books by Black authors— genre work, poetry, graphic novels. In Harper’s Bazaar, Frankie Reddin writes on “Why we need to engage with Black literature beyond racial politics.” Here are some suggestions to do so: 

Fiction (general)

Romance

Fantasy/Sci Fi

Mystery/Thriller

Poetry

Graphic Novels

Publishing Industry, Book Buying, & More

Pre-order books by Black authors! Here is a great article about why pre-ordering books matters. Also, here are two Goodreads lists of forthcoming books you can pre-order in upcoming years!

Forthcoming Books for 2020 by African American Authors on Goodreads

Forthcoming Books for 2021 by African American Authors on Goodreads

Buy books from Black owned bookstores. Here are lists of Black owned bookstores in the US by State, but you can also just search up “Black owned bookstores near me.”

Black Owned Bookstores To Support Right Now by State on Refinery 29

Black Owned Bookstores You Can Order Online From — Lithub

You can support Black content creators and entrepreneurs by supporting bookclubs and bookish businesses. Here are two popular book clubs: The Stacks Podcast and Noname book club. 

Additionally, here is the link to a book subscription box company called marginsbox that features work from BIPOC authors and creators. 

How you review books matters, and who reviews books matters. Here is a link to the article Own Voices Reviews Are Important by Enobong Essien. In this article, she provides links to diverse reviewer lists curated by The Artisan Geek (Diverse Reviewers) and Anna (@never_withouta_book): Spreadsheet.

Here is a helpful guide on how to decenter whiteness in your reading, with specific tips on reviewing by @suzyreadsbooks.

Additionally, here is a link to a guide of 3 ways non Black book reviewers can use our privilege to help get advanced copies of OwnVoices books into the hands of OwnVoices reviewers by @deedireads.

Support Black Lives Matter being taught in schools through literature and other media. Here is a guide for educators by the group Black Lives Matter At School.

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