Been thinking about platform lately given the need to publish more Black authors. Many platforms require access to power structures. What if as an industry we deemphasized platform esp for marginalized groups?
Some publishers already provide platform-building assistance for their authors e.g. creating online courses, producing podcasts. However, the need is much greater than avail resources.
I’d love to see publishers help all/more authors build their platform instead of expecting them to come ready-made, but at the very least give first priority to Black and marginalized authors.
What the #PublishingPaidMe discussions have shown is that the problem is structural. Signing and paying higher advances to more Black authors is a start, but we will need to rethink some sacred cows. Platform is one of them.
