News and Thoughts
Webinar: "Writing and Publishing While Black"
Writers who are people of color face many obstacles in the publishing world. Some of these obstacles are major and some are minor, but all are frustrating and dispiriting, and they can keep important and wonderful stories from being told. Whenever a writer is silenced because of ignorance or prejudice, the world misses out on the story only they can tell. And that’s a loss to all of us.
Any opportunity to learn more about how people of color can break through barriers in writing, editing, publishing, marketing, and more is a very good thing. This month the Carnegie Center in Lexington is offering a webinar on October 12th at 6 pm, via Zoom, called “Writing and Publishing While Black.” The list of panelists is truly impressive: Claudia Love Mair, Crystal Wilkinson, Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts, makalani bandele, Angela Jackson-Brown, and Frank X Walker. Neil Chethik, executive director of the Carnegie Center, will moderate the discussion.
As a white person, I know this webinar isn’t aimed at me, but I plan to attend just to listen and learn more about what I can do as an editor to support Black authors and others who face such challenges during the publishing process. I’m grateful to the Carnegie Center, which consistently champions diverse voices, and to the panelists for providing this opportunity for learning and growth.
Sarah Jane