When the Hashtag Ends: Support for Black Writers Beyond This Moment

Black writers are being sought after to comment on the current protests, but we are Black 24/7/365. Beyond this moment, beyond the protests, we should always have the opportunity to share our stories.

For many, this will be a moment. But we want to see sustainable change in an industry that has had cis white male gatekeepers for much too long. Across the board, whether magazines, online pubs, or traditional publishing, Black storytelling has been extremely limited in comparison.

Our community does not want to see empty promises. What started in our Safe Space discussion, we wanted to share with you. This hour-long conversation featured insight from Black writers GG Renee Hill, Edith King, and Jared Lowe moderated by Ashley M. Coleman. These are the ways in which we hope to start seeing real strides to change things.

When the Hashtag Ends, we want:

To share our stories with the people who see us and validate us. (Edith)
Stay committed to educating ourselves.
1. Frustration, confusion, disempowerment—fill these emotions with knowledge through articles and books; intentional with incorporating this into the creative process (GG)
2. Discuss and challenge wages
  1. transparency and normalizing conversations about wages for writers
  2. They will try to shortchange you… they have the budget; Quality content is quality content (Jared Lowe)
  3. Pay on time and at the same rate as white writers with consummate experience.
  4. Equity
    1. How can we create ownership in publications and publishing companies?

Actionable Steps:

Read the books and write a review. The NYT Bestsellers list looked drastically different this week. It’s our hope that those books are actually read and that the readers would take the next step of writing an online review whether on Amazon or Goodreads.
Support Black bookstores. Often small and indie, these stores are the cornerstones to communities and extremely supportive of black writer’s careers. We’ve curated a list of our #ptwpicks on Bookshop.org where we receive a small commission to support our efforts. Check it out.
Publishing has to make the industry more accessible to Black writers. That means paying fair wages to live in places like NYC or considering remote positions. Mentorship is a must. We need those that have been in the business to reach back and help create opportunities for marginalized groups.
Fair coverage. Many outlets simply don’t write about Black books. Or they have to have won a trillion awards to do so. Share the Mic as we’ve seen floating around social media lately by amplifying Black voices.
Investment in black writing communities like Permission to Write, Well-Read Black Girl, and a host of others. Many will start their own initiatives when there are so many already doing the work.
Become a mentor! Having someone in the industry that you can turn to is invaluable to Black writers. It can be formal or informal. We host a mentorship program quarterly, for more details and to apply to be a mentor: https://www.permissiontowrite.com/mentorship
USE us. Hire and use Black writers, not just when it comes to our trauma. But understand that we have a perspective on TV, Film, Culture, Tech, you name it. Diverse writers will only help your publication, project, initiative. Gabrielle Hickmon created a database of Black writers. They have listed their area of expertise and their contact. Reach out and commission.
1. To view: bit.ly/BlackWritersDatabaseResponses
2. To add your information (Black writers only): bit.ly/BlackWritersDatabase