I am in a mood. Let me show you why:

Here is the thing: I have spent several years doing my absolute best to fight for Black and brown authors. And nearly every time I talk about my intentions to center the most marginalized in publishing, people show up to say "what about me?"

I know that nothing I do will ever appease people who are used to being at the center of every system in the west--let's be honest, the world--but it still angers me every single time.

Not because I care about people being selfish, but because of what their selfishness robs us of every single day.

Some of you need a real reality check. What many of you don't understand is that for many Black and brown indie authors, I may be the FIRST "influencer" they come across who is excited to read books like theirs. I may be the FIRST creator who doesn't talk down to indie authors or choose white indie authors over them. And before you say there are others who read them, of course there are. But the list, in comparison to what is available for white authors, is incredibly small.

For a lot of authors, when they come across my platforms, it is the first time they have felt centered. And I know that because they tell me CONSTANTLY.

Now, let's talk about the fact that, in publishing, the problem is even worse. Because for many Black and brown authors, I will also end up being the first--and possibly only--publisher they have come across that is actively looking for THEM. I may be the FIRST publisher they see that is actively searching for Black and brown authors and who is intentionally giving unrepresented authors my attention.

Do you understand what that is like? To dedicate your life to an industry that is DETERMINED to exclude you? To rely on spaces that regularly and loudly put you down as less professional and talk about your work as less worthy of investment?

When you take a hard and honest look at the influencers and publishers who are creating space for Black and brown authors, you will realize that there are not enough of us to go around.

And those of us who are here only have so much time, so much energy, and so many resources. I am publishing ONE book this year. And with the resources I currently have access to, it is likely that I can only publish one or two books next year. So even for the authors who now feel seen and heard because this imprint exists, it is a long shot that I'll be able to actually work on their project.

THAT is why this matters. That is why I have to focus on Black and brown authors. Because for every publisher that creates meaningful space for Black and brown authors, there are hundreds who either refuse to, or expect them to thrive while not being centered in conversations that usually erase them. You all see the Tracy Deonns, the Nana Kwame Adjei Brenyahs and the RF Kuangs and tell yourselves that the industry is changing. But that is not the actual experience of many marginalized authors. For most, those authors represent a full roster at publishers that didn't actually want ANY of us.

That is why this matters. It is why I will continue to center Black and brown authors. And it is why I will continue to fight to put together the resources I need to make sure I get to champion more and more authors every single year. This year, Left Unread is putting out one book, and our community will be helping to champion several indie projects that have nothing to do with out imprint. And that is success. But going forward, success means the door opening wider and wider every single year. More books under our imprint AND more resources poured into championing indie projects.

So as you see me on the internet promoting this community and asking--sometimes begging--people to subscribe, understand this is why. Because I know just how long the list of authors is who are watching and waiting and hoping for their turn. So yeah, I'm going to continue to be insufferable. Because I'm desperate for change. And I hope that if you are reading this, you are too.

If you are not already subscribed, please consider doing so. If possible, at the $5 or $12 tier, to help us fund these projects. Our first will launch this October, and if you subscribe at the $12 tier within the next few weeks, your name will be listed in that project on a dedicated thank you page. So make sure you upgrade right away if that recognition appeals to you! Thanks!