Representing the Real World: Diversity in Publishing Imprints

As the publishing industry makes greater concerted efforts to represent the rich diversity of the world in which we live, small presses and imprints under larger houses are taking the lead.

BUILDING YOUR OWN TABLE: One of the first releases of Iskanchi Press & Magazine, based in Utah and founded by Nigerian writer Kenechi Uzor, was the Best of Isele. Uzor understands that the image many North Americans have about Africa and Africans is painfully narrow and lopsided. “Nobody starts a publishing company because they want to make money,” Uzor admits—every Iskanchi release has been an out-of-pocket expense.

PAVING THE WAY: Kensington Books' Dafina imprint and Lee & Low's Cinco Puntos are veterans in bringing othered voices to the public.

SELECTING THE SELECTORS: Milkweed Editions' fellowship program helps diversify who selects and edits published work.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM, INCLUSION TAKES MANY FORMS, PUBLISHING WITH THE STARS, TAKE US AS WE ARE: imprints like Megascope, 4 Color Books, Oleb Books, Mindy's Book Studio, Topple, and Kaya are each expanding whose stories reach print, reflecting the real diversity of readers and our world.