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Buckle up. This is a thread about how I *personally* create a praxis around acquiring and editing books with marginalized voices.
I'll be discussing: how I define those, the complexities I see in using shorthand terminology, querying advice, and my practices during edits.
I'll be discussing: how I define those, the complexities I see in using shorthand terminology, querying advice, and my practices during edits.
As an editor, when I seek "diverse" or "OwnVoices" books, I seek books by authors who are marginalized, often featuring characters who are marginalized.
I think both terms often get misused because writing anything other than *your* direct experience is a challenge.
I think both terms often get misused because writing anything other than *your* direct experience is a challenge.
These terms also can often be used to withhold accountability from authors, editors, publishers, etc. When I use those terms, it's with the caveat that having a general identity does not guarantee an "authentic" or a non-toxic narrative around marginalization.
That being said, it is helpful when an author is up-front about general marginalizations they share and how they influence the process of a particular MS or their writing style overall.
When I get queries for books featuring marginalized characters, I look for those industry buzzwords. I also look for indications of whether the author is writing from some sort of experience, education, and awareness.
Most importantly, I look for (1) is the author purposefully not telling me they're of privilege and writing a marginalized experience and (2) if the depictions of any marginalization within the text is potentially problematic.
If the author is writing widely outside of experience AND point 2 also comes up, it's usually a no from me.
If the author is marginalized but some things are concerning, I ask how deep they go. Is it mostly in terminology/rhetoric? Is it intense? Could a content edit address it?
If the author is marginalized but some things are concerning, I ask how deep they go. Is it mostly in terminology/rhetoric? Is it intense? Could a content edit address it?
No one is perfect, and I think, for instance, authors of color are held to a much higher standard of writing a "perfect" book than white ones. So as an editor, I need to be willing to see a marginalized writer's work the way the industry sees the work of many priviliged writers.
If a book handles a marginalization in a way I can address as an editor - meaning it's not so baked into the MS that it's clearly a deeper problem - that's something I can work with.
That also means *I* willingly take on the responsibility of doing that justice if its acquired.
That also means *I* willingly take on the responsibility of doing that justice if its acquired.
When I start working with a new author, I send a welcome letter that includes a line about handling issues of marginalization.
I clearly define that those convos will be bad. I will listen to the author regarding identities they have, I will speak from the ones I have, etc.
I clearly define that those convos will be bad. I will listen to the author regarding identities they have, I will speak from the ones I have, etc.
I also promise that if it's something out of my wheelhouse or both of our wheelhouse, I'll guide it.
Editors should be willing to take that on, because editing a book is about refining the overall messages it sends as much as it is about the technical story it tells.
Editors should be willing to take that on, because editing a book is about refining the overall messages it sends as much as it is about the technical story it tells.
Personally, I like to ask a lot of questions in those sorts of edits. I bring up concerns about things that may be toxic or contribute to harmful narratives, etc.
I also like to clearly verbalize that harmful depictions of marginalized people are high-level concerns in my edits.
I also like to clearly verbalize that harmful depictions of marginalized people are high-level concerns in my edits.
Frankly, I care more that my authors are doing marginalized people justice than if their stories are "perfect" technically.
I also think that part of giving marginalized authors more chances in the industry means normalizing stories that address marginalization w/depth.
I also think that part of giving marginalized authors more chances in the industry means normalizing stories that address marginalization w/depth.
I also think editors need to do our research. I try to regularly read queer theory, critical race theory, disability theory, etc. If I cannot understand the in-depth experiences of my authors and their work, I cannot be an effective editor.
Most importantly, I think the key is fearless dialogue.
When I acquire a book, I have to be able to have these conversations even if it makes the edit complicated or if it means the story needs to change and become less "commercial."
When I acquire a book, I have to be able to have these conversations even if it makes the edit complicated or if it means the story needs to change and become less "commercial."
If you're a marginalized author and query me, I encourage you to let me know (as much as you're comfortable) the places you're writing from as identities and why your perspective informs your writing.
And if you query or go with another editor, make sure they're willing to have those conversations. Be direct. Let them know the shit you need to work on - maybe you want to write better characters of color or trans characters or whatnot. It's our job to help you improve.
My concern with industry focuses on diversity/OwnVoices have been that those terms can be used (especially by white priviliged editors) to tokenize and flatten the vast complexity of experiences.
I care even more if an author can show and embrace how complex these things are.
I care even more if an author can show and embrace how complex these things are.
In general, I also think the industry needs to:
- See editing as an opportunity to embrace subversive narratives
- Cultivate the skill of marginalized authors by embracing new writing styles & giving updated advice on how to minimize harm
- Give marginalized authors chances
- See editing as an opportunity to embrace subversive narratives
- Cultivate the skill of marginalized authors by embracing new writing styles & giving updated advice on how to minimize harm
- Give marginalized authors chances
And with all of these, editors and others need to scaffold the process so it works. Be prepared to defend a marginalized author's unique voice. Be up front about the shit you don't know and the shit you do. Don't avoid hard conversations when it's your job to bring shit up.
