The Daily The Sunday Read: ‘Inside the Push to Diversify the Book Business’
Jul 31, 2022
Lisa Lucas, the first Black publisher in Pantheon’s history, shares her transformative journey in the book publishing industry. They discuss the overdue push for diversity, revealing the past struggles of marginalized authors and the industry’s elitist culture. Lucas emphasizes the importance of creating a larger readership rather than competing for limited audiences. The conversation also touches on the rise of indie Black publishers and the systemic barriers they face, offering a hopeful outlook on the evolving literary landscape.
01:08:26
Historical Dominance
- Book publishing, particularly literary publishing, has historically been dominated by wealthy white men.
- This affected Black authors who needed white publishers for national recognition, despite facing limitations and biases.
Ignoring Black Readers
- Richard Wright, despite the success of "Native Son," had his memoir, "Black Boy," censored to appeal to a white audience.
- Marie Brown, a Black editor at Doubleday, was told "the black thing is over" in the 1970s, highlighting the industry's shortsightedness.
Dismissed Success
- Malaika Adaro, despite publishing the successful Miles Davis autobiography, faced resistance acquiring books by Black authors.
- Colleagues dismissed her successful Black authors as not "Black books," revealing ingrained biases.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app 1 chevron_right 2 chevron_right 3 chevron_right 4 chevron_right 5 chevron_right 6 chevron_right 7 chevron_right 8 chevron_right
Intro
00:00 • 4min
Exploring Diversity in Book Publishing
04:11 • 3min
A New Era in Publishing
07:20 • 15min
Pathways to Black Literature
22:09 • 6min
Diversifying the Literary Landscape
27:51 • 14min
Navigating the Changing Landscape of Book Publishing
41:49 • 3min
Diversity in Publishing: A Historical Perspective
44:44 • 9min
Navigating Racial Expectations in Publishing
53:57 • 17min
#2041
• Mentioned in 22 episodes
Roots
The Saga of an American Family
Alex Haley
The book begins with the story of Kunta Kinte, a young Mandinka man from The Gambia who is captured by slave traders and sold into slavery in America.
It follows the lives of his descendants through seven generations, detailing their experiences under slavery, the Civil War, and the post-war period.
The narrative shifts to Alex Haley's first-person account, recounting his own life and the oral traditions passed down through his family.
The book is a powerful exploration of slavery, family history, and the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
#1604
• Mentioned in 26 episodes
The Bluest Eye
Toni Morrison
Set in Lorain, Ohio, during the Great Depression, 'The Bluest Eye' tells the story of Pecola Breedlove, an eleven-year-old African American girl who desperately wants blue eyes, believing they will make her more beautiful and accepted according to white cultural standards.
The novel explores themes of race, class, and beauty standards, highlighting the destructive impact of internalized racism and societal pressures on Pecola and her family.
Through a non-linear narrative and shifting perspectives, Morrison critiques the systemic racism and social stratification that contribute to Pecola's tragic downfall.
#84564
Heavy
An American Memoir
Kiese Laymon
In this memoir, Kiese Laymon delves into his complex relationship with his mother, grandmother, and his own body, addressing themes of weight, identity, art, family, and national failures.
Laymon writes about his experiences growing up in Jackson, Mississippi, including early encounters with sexual violence, his suspension from college, and his journey to becoming a young college professor in New York.
The book is a candid and insightful exploration of the consequences of living in a country obsessed with progress but disinterested in reckoning with its past, and it highlights the personal and national weight of secrets, lies, and trauma.
#5456
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Rebecca Skloot
The book narrates the story of Henrietta Lacks, a poor black tobacco farmer whose cervical cancer cells, known as HeLa cells, were taken without her knowledge in 1951 and have since become one of the most important tools in medicine.
The cells have been used in developing the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, and more, yet Henrietta's family remained unaware of her 'immortality' for decades and never benefited financially from the cells.
The book delves into the dark history of experimentation on African Americans, the birth of bioethics, and the legal battles over body ownership.
It also explores the personal story of Henrietta's family, particularly her daughter Deborah, and their struggles with the legacy of her cells.
#3583
• Mentioned in 13 episodes
Native Son
Richard Wright
Published in 1940, 'Native Son' is a novel set in Chicago during the 1930s.
It tells the story of Bigger Thomas, a 20-year-old Black man living in utter poverty on the South Side of Chicago.
The novel follows Bigger's journey after he accidentally murders a young white woman, Mary Dalton, in a moment of panic.
The book is a condemnation of social injustice and an unsparing portrait of the Black experience in America, revealing the tragic effects of racism, poverty, and hopelessness.
Wright's work emphasizes the systemic causes behind Bigger's actions and the psychological toll of racism on Black society.
The novel remains timely and relevant, addressing themes of race relations, violence, and the internalized powerlessness of Black Americans.
#5454
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
The Franchise
The Business of Building Winning Teams
Craig Custance
#2468
• Mentioned in 18 episodes
Maus
Art Spiegelman
#1199
• Mentioned in 33 episodes
Between the World and Me
Ta-Nehisi Coates
Between the World and Me is a personal and literary exploration of America's racial history.
Written as a series of letters to his 15-year-old son, Samori, Ta-Nehisi Coates reflects on his own experiences growing up in Baltimore, his education at Howard University, and his career as a journalist.
The book delves into the realities of being Black in America, including the historical and ongoing impacts of slavery, segregation, police brutality, and mass incarceration.
Coates shares personal anecdotes and historical insights to prepare his son for the challenges he will face as a Black man in America, while also offering a broader critique of American society and its treatment of Black bodies.
The book is a powerful and emotional exploration of identity, history, and the struggle for racial justice.
#4240
• Mentioned in 11 episodes
White Teeth
Zadie Smith
Jenny Sterlin
Ana María de la Fuente Suárez
White Teeth is Zadie Smith's debut novel, published in 2000.
The book focuses on the later lives of two wartime friends—the Bangladeshi Samad Iqbal and the Englishman Archie Jones—and their families in London.
It spans over 50 years, detailing the trials and tribulations of their families and exploring Britain's relationship with immigrants from the British Commonwealth.
The novel addresses themes of identity, race, and the complexities of multiculturalism, and it is known for its vivid characters, humor, and strong narrative structure.
#13788
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Caucasia
A Novel
Danzy Senna
Danzy Senna's "Caucasia" is a coming-of-age story centered on biracial sisters, Birdie and Cole, navigating their complex identities in the backdrop of 1970s America.
The novel delves into themes of race, class, and family dynamics as the sisters experience the social and political turmoil of the era.
Their mother's involvement in radical activism adds another layer of complexity to their lives.
The narrative explores the challenges of racial ambiguity and the search for belonging.
Senna's powerful prose and compelling characters create a moving and thought-provoking read.
#30178
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Waiting to Exhale
Terry McMillan
Waiting to Exhale follows the lives of four professional African American women—Savannah, Bernadine, Robin, and Gloria—as they support each other through various personal and professional challenges.
The novel explores themes of love, self-discovery, and the importance of female friendships.
Through their experiences, the characters learn to prioritize their own needs and find fulfillment beyond their relationships with men.
#1780
• Mentioned in 24 episodes
My promised land
The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel
Ari Shavit
My Promised Land is a comprehensive and personal narrative history of Israel, written by Ari Shavit.
The book combines family history, memoir, archival research, and interviews to provide a rich and nuanced account of Israel’s history from the late 19th century to the present.
Shavit examines the complexities and contradictions of the Israeli condition, asking crucial questions about the origins, survival, and future of Israel.
The book is praised for its balanced and empathetic portrayal of both Jewish and Palestinian experiences, although some critics have noted its controversial handling of certain historical events.
It is a landmark work that brings to life epic history without being a conventional history book, deepening contemporary political understanding without being a one-sided polemic.
#74379
Long Division
Kiese Laymon
Long Division is a novel that weaves together two narratives: one set in 2013, where a teenager named Citoyen 'City' Coldson becomes embroiled in a viral controversy, and another in 1985, where City and his friend Shalaya discover a time-travel portal.
The book explores themes of racism, identity, and the complexities of American history.
It is known for its innovative structure and metafictional elements, blending humor and depth in its portrayal of Black American experiences.
#54557
Life in the Spirit
Martyn Lloyd Jones
#80696
The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee
David Treuer
In *The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee*, David Treuer offers a counter-narrative to the traditional view of Native American history, which often concludes with the 1890 Wounded Knee massacre.
Instead, he explores the resilience and reinvention of Native American communities over the past century, highlighting their cultural, legal, and political achievements despite historical challenges.
The book blends history, reportage, and memoir to provide a comprehensive and intimate portrayal of Native American life.
#13408
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
The Coldest Winter Ever
Sister Souljah
The Coldest Winter Ever follows Winter Santiaga, a spoiled teenager from Brooklyn, as she faces unexpected challenges when her father's empire collapses.
The novel explores themes of materialism, survival, and the harsh realities of urban life.
Winter's journey is a cautionary tale about the dangers of pursuing wealth and status at any cost.
#13163
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Pimp
The Story of My Life
Iceberg Slim
Pimp: The Story of My Life is a memoir by Iceberg Slim that delves into the dark and dangerous world of organized crime and prostitution.
The book offers a no-holds-barred look at the life of a pimp, exploring the harsh realities of street life and the psychology behind the pimping game.
It provides a vivid portrayal of the underworld, using colorful slang and vivid descriptions to bring characters and situations to life.
#21529
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Miles
Quincy Troupe
Miles Davis
#38494
Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm
Laura Warrell
Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm follows Circus Palmer, a charismatic jazz musician, as he navigates his relationships with various women, including his daughter Koko and the enigmatic Maggie.
The novel delves into the complexities of love, family dynamics, and personal identity, weaving a narrative that explores the intersections of music, passion, and human connection.
Through Circus's journey, the book highlights the impact of his actions on those around him, particularly his vulnerable daughter and the women he encounters.
#28185
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Mama
Terry McMillan
Mcmillan
Marjorie Johnson
Mildred Peacock, the feisty heroine of 'Mama', is a survivor who will do anything to keep her family together.
The novel explores themes of poverty, domestic violence, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her children.
Through Mildred's journey, Terry McMillan portrays the rich, honest, and loving story of a black woman's life with depth and power.
For generations, America’s major publishers focused almost entirely on white readers. Now a new cadre of executives is trying to open up the industry.
The journalist Marcela Valdes spent a year reporting on what she described as “the problematic history of diversity in book publishing and the ways it has affected editors, authors and what you see (or don’t see) in bookstores.”
Interviewing more than 50 current and former book professionals, as well as authors, Ms. Valdes learned about the previous unsuccessful attempts to cultivate Black audiences, and considered the intricacies of an industry culture that still struggles to “overcome the clubby, white elitism it was born in.”
As one publishing executive puts it, the future of book publishing will be determined not only by its recent hires but also by how it answers this question: Instead of fighting over slices of a shrinking pie, can publishers work to make the readership bigger for everyone?
This story was written by Marcela Valdes and recorded by Audm. To hear more audio stories from publications like The New York Times, download Audm for iPhone or Android.
Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.