I write mostly YA and Middle-Grade fantasy. I want to publish stories with POC protags BUT...
When I walk into ALL bookstores: White. Publishers: White. Agents: White. Editors: White.
I know it's not the case 100% of the time, BUT...
With every word I type, I wonder who's going to publish this book about a black kid who's a wizard, swordsman, spy...
My current project, which is on book 2, doesn't reveal that the MC is black until book 3 Part of me doesn't want it to be like this, but part of me feels like it has to be. I'm not trying to trick anyone but I don't want to close any doors before they're opened. But at the same time, I don't want to sell out my own race. I was the little black boy who wanted to read about a black boy like me in fantasy books, but could never, and still can't find any. Sometimes I think, I should just put it out there in book one, but other times I think, if they don't know, they'll read the book, and then once they're hooked they'll keep reading because it won't matter.
UGH
Maybe I'm just fooling myself.
I reread my 1st book and thought it's brilliant that my MC is one of the few characters in the book who's not described, but I'm disappointed also because I want to. Nothing dramatic. Just the mention that he is a black kid.
I shouldn't have to worry about this, but...
Okay, after typing this I think I AM hiding the ball, but is it wrong? Should I be bold and just put it out there, start a new trend????
This is just one of my insecurities that has hindered my writing for years. Any thoughts????? I won't hold it against you
When I walk into ALL bookstores: White. Publishers: White. Agents: White. Editors: White.
I know it's not the case 100% of the time, BUT...
With every word I type, I wonder who's going to publish this book about a black kid who's a wizard, swordsman, spy...
My current project, which is on book 2, doesn't reveal that the MC is black until book 3 Part of me doesn't want it to be like this, but part of me feels like it has to be. I'm not trying to trick anyone but I don't want to close any doors before they're opened. But at the same time, I don't want to sell out my own race. I was the little black boy who wanted to read about a black boy like me in fantasy books, but could never, and still can't find any. Sometimes I think, I should just put it out there in book one, but other times I think, if they don't know, they'll read the book, and then once they're hooked they'll keep reading because it won't matter.
UGH
Maybe I'm just fooling myself.
I reread my 1st book and thought it's brilliant that my MC is one of the few characters in the book who's not described, but I'm disappointed also because I want to. Nothing dramatic. Just the mention that he is a black kid.
I shouldn't have to worry about this, but...
Okay, after typing this I think I AM hiding the ball, but is it wrong? Should I be bold and just put it out there, start a new trend????
This is just one of my insecurities that has hindered my writing for years. Any thoughts????? I won't hold it against you