Can I kvetch a little?

So, you'd think this isn't still the case and yet... books centering Jewish main characters are still often seen as niche by publishers. A reason for passing is still concern about not reaching a wide enough readership.

Even with a passionate (yes, Jewish) editor wanting to acquire it, some publishers still can't seem to get onboard.

I get it: this is a strange time in the world and in our industry and publishers want to be cautious. But...

Honestly? It's exhausting. It's exhausting that I need to repeatedly remind folks that stories that center Jewish characters are marginalized stories.

It's exhausting that so many "Jewish books" are still Holocaust books, or books about Jewish trauma, or picture books that are specific to holidays, or written by non-Jewish people, or only about a very specific and narrow version of what it means to be Jewish.

This isn't to take away from any of the wonderful books being published and written by Jewish authors with Jewish main characters. I love and appreciate them. I do.

I know the world is on fire around us. And to some people this might seem like a trivial thing to be ranting about. But I really do believe we can change the world a little bit, book by book, if publishing would put its money where its mouth is.

And now I'll sit back and watch all the Jewish people and RT this and just... *sigh* I'm exhausted.