Unlocking the Big 5:
How Traditional Publishing Works

Presented by Brandi Larsen. October 3, 2020

It was an honor and privledge to speak with you as part of the Great Lakes African American Writers Conference.

Here are some of the resources I mentioned:

• Lee & Low 2019 Diversity Baseline Study

• PW: Workers Across Book Business Take Collective Action Against Racism

• PW: How #PublishingPaidMe Exposed Racial Inequalities

• Medium: We Need to Talk About the List

• New York Times: In Publishing, Everything is Up for Change

• Social media hashtags: #ownvoices | #weneeddiversebooks | #PITMAD | #MSWL

Big 5 Publishing outlets open to direct submission from BIPOC authors
(literary agent not needed):

• Hachette:
  Forever, romance and women’s fiction
  Yen Press, manga and graphic novels

• HarperCollins:
  Avon Impulse, romance | digital
  Heartdrum, Native-focused children’s

• Penguin Random House:
  DAW, science fiction and fantasy

• Simon & Schuster
  Salaam Reads, Muslim-focused children’s

Editors open to direct submission from BIPOC authors (an incomplete list):
Editors open and close to submissions frequently; the following editors are available as of 10/3/2020. Search Twitter to see an updated list.

• Amy Acosta, Entangled
  YA, NA, adult romance

• Deeba Zargarpur, Salaam Reads
  Children’s, open to authors and illustrators

• Elizabeth Lazowski, Chronicle Kids
  Picture books, middle grade, graphic novels

• Elle Keck, Avon and William Morrow
  Romance

• Emily Rodmell, HarperCollins and
  Harper Love Inspired
  Inspirational romance, romantic suspense, historical romance

• Kelly Delaney, Knopf Books for Young Readers

  YA | Twitter DM open for submissions, critiques, and questions (@kellyunderwater)

• Marisa DiNovis, Knopf Books for Young Readers
  Middle Grade, YA, YA cozy mystery, graphic novels
  Twitter DM open for submissions, critiques, and questions (@dinovisms)

• Molly Cusick, Sourcebooks,
  Picture book, middle grade, and YA

If you secure a deal, contact me before signing a contract and mention GLAAWC — I’m happy to schedule a free consultation to answer your questions.

Want more? About Me | Coaching | Speaking

I serve as President of the Board of Literary Cleveland, an organization committed to helping writers explore diverse voices and discover their own. Please check out the upcoming classes.