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The Twitter hashtag #publishingpaidme recently exposed what black writers earn compared to whites.
After winning a National Book Award, Jesmyn Ward received a $100,000 advance for her 2018 novel, “Sing, Unburied Sing” (which also won a National Book Award). In comparison, an unknown white male author’s advance for his 2019 debut: $800,000.
College-educated black women read more than any other demographic, but the industry devalues our stories and voices. It’s gross, disheartening and exhausting for a writer who self-publishes books about black love.
Controlling our narrative by presenting us as wholly flawed, beautiful human beings is an act of defiance.
– Jacinta Howard, Author, Contributing Writer