Thank you for talking about black authors and the stories we tell. There are niche areas that have few black authors (epic fantasy for example). Stories with black heroes and heroines are definitely not common, but as a black author, it feels like the only stories that are acceptable from us are those where we are victims who are fighting against the "big bad" that is a racist. The knight that slays the dragon and saves his kingdom can be a black guy. The captain of a ship in a sci-fi can have brown skin...we can write stories about people who are living while black without their story being about pain or racism. The story I'm writing, my character is a girl who just so happens to be black. In my fantasy world, nationality is more relevant than race, but all of my nations have a large POC population and poc are the norm. But, my character's antagonists are not racist, her battles and triumphs are not related to her color, and her journey is more of a spiritual one.
I actually have a series of Black queedoms and mythical creatures that I self published a few years ago called Dreams of Akasha: The Visionary Chronicles I let my imagination go wild. I'm thinking about running it through another editor and re publishing it when I write the third story. It's on Amazon if you want to check out my nonsense work before I decide to re-edit it 😂😂😂 It was really fun to write and the first book got accepted to my hometown's library.
I just signed with an agent earlier this month and my querying experience was traumatic because I had an offering agent rip my manuscript apart, ridicule my writing and still wanted to offer because she said she wanted to cash in editors who were feeling white guilt. I was absolutely shocked and hurt. I saw a side of publishing I never thought I'd see. She thought she was doing ME a favor. Now, I'm signed with an amazing agent at a top agency, but I had to use a whisper network to get the word out about her.
I'm so glad you've found an advocate that you are enjoying working with and that the sour experience with the other didn't stop you from trying. So happy for you! Wishing you ALL THE LUCK
I've always wanted to self publish because I'm a control freak, but I think that's the thing that we (black authors) have to watch out for now. There are people who will publish us but for an ulterior motive. I think all manuscripts benefit from constructive criticism, but from someone who truly wants the book to be its best. I wish you the best on your journey and be blessed that you actually dodged a bullet with that first agent.
@@MissHolliday3110 That is why it's important to trust your gut. Some people feel that they have to go with an offering agent, but it's better to have no agent than a bad agent who is also a racist. It's also important to warn others through whisper networks, so they don't have the same experience as you.
Author J. Elle is right on the money from 10:00-13:00 spec. I (as a black woman) always try not to be like oh someone didn't mean it that way because so often we're told be grateful for anything, a couple decades ago we didn't even have rights. And we shouldn't have to settle for bare minimum. And I agree with her with sometimes feeling like property or token writers. The publishers need to put in the work and represent everyone equally.
What I love about this video is that although J. Elle’s target audience are black authors, it very much applies to other writers from other under represented communities like Latinx people, LGBTQ+, etc. The things she went through and the advice she gives can apply to any of us. I almost broke into tears when she talked about telling our stories and not caring whether or not publishing will take it. I needed to hear that, especially now. Thank you for doing this Alexa!
Thank you J Elle for sharing your experiences and insight. This was brilliant. And thank you Alexa: this is why I love your channel. Great conversation: you’re using your platform in an authentic, professional and respectful way. 👏🏽 All around.
I actually have been worried about the same thing J. Elle talked about. My WIP is not about race or any other social issues, but my characters are black, Hispanic, Asian, gay, etc. And I just hope I never get told to “lean into blackness.” or anything like that. 😕
Jess will be back on the channel! Isn't she amazing? I definitely plan on bringing her back to pick her brain about writing in multiple categories simultaneously! I also hope she'll join me for some lives.
This was REALLY great! Thank you for this. I've followed her on twitter and read for her book! lol I'm almost at the querying stage and this came right on time.
Oh My! There is no coincidence that this just happened! I am in awe, what a wonderful interview💖Informative, uplifting, and divinely timed. Thank You J Elle and thank you Alexa😘
Thanks J. Elle for taking the time out. I've been wanting to get in a more mentorship position so I'll have to take a look at both AMM and Pitchwars. I vote YAY for more interviews, Alexa. ☺
thanks so much for this! I'm not POC but found this really enlightening. I also really appreciated your previous video about writing diversely, and am aware of aspects I want to improve upon for my own writing and supporter all members of the writing community. I will keep an eye out for her upcoming book in 2021!
Hiya! I don't suppose you could do one of these with any asian authors? I've always been the only asian one in the mainly white community I've grown up in. Most of my friends who write are white and I would love to know the experience of other writers from the asian community. Hope you're well and I loved the discussion. 😁
Thank you for doing this video, Alexa. Your books Brightly Burning was my first audio book I ever listened to. It inspired me to start my writing journey. -C.J. Canady
@Alexa this was great> I hope you continue having conversations like these in the future with other writers of color. Our voices are not nearly enough. Let’s NORMALIZE interviews/conversations with non-white authors.
I love how informative this is! A huge shout out to J. Elle for sharing her experience here on your channel. It might sound shady, and it in NO WAY is, but I love the expert take on this. It's easy to find poor/mediocre info out there, but this is seriously expert level. Thank you J. Elle!
This was EXTREMELY informative. Thank you for hosting this on your channel. You get why this all needs to be said and out there and I appreaciate you for that. So thank you Alexa! And I will definitely be looking J.Elle up now :D
I am so glad to see a video like this! I have a question. Do you believe it is necessary to query an agent for a YA novelette? Do you know where I would be submitting a work with a 15-17K word count?
Alexa: Thank you for including this type of content on your channel! I would definitely be interested in seeing more. I look forward to your videos each week and have found them extremely helpful. J.Elle: I don't know how to thank you enough. Your words were just what I needed to hear, when I needed them. Being a POC, I can't stop thinking about what you said about Black Pain. Very valid points that I feel I can identify with too. In fact, a lot of what you said gave me perspective and I want to wish you every success with Wings of Ebony. I look forward to seeing you again in the future!
I love this interview-based videos. I always learn something new. Alexa, will it be okay if you can make a video interviewing an international author (Asians, etc.) and what was the publishing process for them if they're living outside the US?
in a way could this be a message to a somewhat broader range of disenfranchised populations, i.e. the disability community? what would this comment section say about that?
I don’t give a goddamn about skin or genitals. Write an incredible book. Period. Anne Rice is my favorite novelist. But not because she fits a demographic. Hell, I adore her writing even though her politics are opposite mine... and she’s LOUD about it, and even demeans my side. It’s amazing I still haven’t abandoned her. I challenge YOU to embrace some right-leaning authors. But then again, you don’t know who we are, because the right is threatened into silence. We know the Left will cancel us, censor us, ban us, smear us, and doxx us.
Thank you for talking about black authors and the stories we tell. There are niche areas that have few black authors (epic fantasy for example). Stories with black heroes and heroines are definitely not common, but as a black author, it feels like the only stories that are acceptable from us are those where we are victims who are fighting against the "big bad" that is a racist. The knight that slays the dragon and saves his kingdom can be a black guy. The captain of a ship in a sci-fi can have brown skin...we can write stories about people who are living while black without their story being about pain or racism.
The story I'm writing, my character is a girl who just so happens to be black. In my fantasy world, nationality is more relevant than race, but all of my nations have a large POC population and poc are the norm. But, my character's antagonists are not racist, her battles and triumphs are not related to her color, and her journey is more of a spiritual one.
Write stories with no mention of “race” at all, and the characters will be whatever the reader decides. :)
I actually have a series of Black queedoms and mythical creatures that I self published a few years ago called Dreams of Akasha: The Visionary Chronicles
I let my imagination go wild. I'm thinking about running it through another editor and re publishing it when I write the third story. It's on Amazon if you want to check out my nonsense work before I decide to re-edit it 😂😂😂
It was really fun to write and the first book got accepted to my hometown's library.
I just signed with an agent earlier this month and my querying experience was traumatic because I had an offering agent rip my manuscript apart, ridicule my writing and still wanted to offer because she said she wanted to cash in editors who were feeling white guilt. I was absolutely shocked and hurt. I saw a side of publishing I never thought I'd see. She thought she was doing ME a favor. Now, I'm signed with an amazing agent at a top agency, but I had to use a whisper network to get the word out about her.
I'm so glad you've found an advocate that you are enjoying working with and that the sour experience with the other didn't stop you from trying. So happy for you! Wishing you ALL THE LUCK
I've always wanted to self publish because I'm a control freak, but I think that's the thing that we (black authors) have to watch out for now. There are people who will publish us but for an ulterior motive.
I think all manuscripts benefit from constructive criticism, but from someone who truly wants the book to be its best.
I wish you the best on your journey and be blessed that you actually dodged a bullet with that first agent.
Rip your manuscript?😡😡😡😡😡
@@simstorytellerjelle5383 Thank you for the good vibes, sis! And thank you for sharing our experiences.
@@MissHolliday3110 That is why it's important to trust your gut. Some people feel that they have to go with an offering agent, but it's better to have no agent than a bad agent who is also a racist. It's also important to warn others through whisper networks, so they don't have the same experience as you.
Author J. Elle is right on the money from 10:00-13:00 spec. I (as a black woman) always try not to be like oh someone didn't mean it that way because so often we're told be grateful for anything, a couple decades ago we didn't even have rights. And we shouldn't have to settle for bare minimum. And I agree with her with sometimes feeling like property or token writers. The publishers need to put in the work and represent everyone equally.
As I'm watching this, I'm thinking that this is TRULY incredible! We need more of this!
Man this is what I needed as a black aspiring author! Thank you both
@@neelay123 Thank you for watching!!
What I love about this video is that although J. Elle’s target audience are black authors, it very much applies to other writers from other under represented communities like Latinx people, LGBTQ+, etc. The things she went through and the advice she gives can apply to any of us. I almost broke into tears when she talked about telling our stories and not caring whether or not publishing will take it. I needed to hear that, especially now. Thank you for doing this Alexa!
Thank you J Elle for sharing your experiences and insight. This was brilliant. And thank you Alexa: this is why I love your channel. Great conversation: you’re using your platform in an authentic, professional and respectful way. 👏🏽 All around.
I actually have been worried about the same thing J. Elle talked about. My WIP is not about race or any other social issues, but my characters are black, Hispanic, Asian, gay, etc. And I just hope I never get told to “lean into blackness.” or anything like that. 😕
I know I sound like a glutton but this wasn't long enough. 💜
Jess will be back on the channel! Isn't she amazing? I definitely plan on bringing her back to pick her brain about writing in multiple categories simultaneously! I also hope she'll join me for some lives.
Love the support . Seeing this as a Black Writer warms my heart ❤️
This was REALLY great! Thank you for this. I've followed her on twitter and read for her book! lol I'm almost at the querying stage and this came right on time.
Yay! I hope you love it!! Wishing you so much querying luck :)
Thank you!
Oh My! There is no coincidence that this just happened! I am in awe, what a wonderful interview💖Informative, uplifting, and divinely timed. Thank You J Elle and thank you Alexa😘
Thank you for tuning in!
Thanks J. Elle for taking the time out. I've been wanting to get in a more mentorship position so I'll have to take a look at both AMM and Pitchwars. I vote YAY for more interviews, Alexa. ☺
They are both fantastic! Good luck!!
Alexa, thank you for featuring J.Elle. Her advice is just what I needed to hear.
thanks so much for this! I'm not POC but found this really enlightening. I also really appreciated your previous video about writing diversely, and am aware of aspects I want to improve upon for my own writing and supporter all members of the writing community. I will keep an eye out for her upcoming book in 2021!
Hiya! I don't suppose you could do one of these with any asian authors? I've always been the only asian one in the mainly white community I've grown up in. Most of my friends who write are white and I would love to know the experience of other writers from the asian community. Hope you're well and I loved the discussion. 😁
Beautiful video. I love the sense of genuine warmth and community. Thank you for taking the time to make and share this.
Thank you for doing this video, Alexa. Your books Brightly Burning was my first audio book I ever listened to. It inspired me to start my writing journey.
-C.J. Canady
@Alexa this was great> I hope you continue having conversations like these in the future with other writers of color. Our voices are not nearly enough. Let’s NORMALIZE interviews/conversations with non-white authors.
Thanks for this J.Elle! You were awesome! The information you gave was so helpful!
I love how informative this is! A huge shout out to J. Elle for sharing her experience here on your channel. It might sound shady, and it in NO WAY is, but I love the expert take on this. It's easy to find poor/mediocre info out there, but this is seriously expert level. Thank you J. Elle!
This was so refreshing to see. I rarely comment but I finally watched this interview and it was definitely amazing.
This was EXTREMELY informative. Thank you for hosting this on your channel. You get why this all needs to be said and out there and I appreaciate you for that. So thank you Alexa!
And I will definitely be looking J.Elle up now :D
Thanks Alexa! You and J.Elle are both amazing!
What a great interview! Thanks so much for both of you for doing this. 💜
I am so glad to see a video like this! I have a question. Do you believe it is necessary to query an agent for a YA novelette? Do you know where I would be submitting a work with a 15-17K word count?
As a Latina this resonated with me. Thank you!
Alexa: Thank you for including this type of content on your channel! I would definitely be interested in seeing more. I look forward to your videos each week and have found them extremely helpful.
J.Elle: I don't know how to thank you enough. Your words were just what I needed to hear, when I needed them. Being a POC, I can't stop thinking about what you said about Black Pain. Very valid points that I feel I can identify with too. In fact, a lot of what you said gave me perspective and I want to wish you every success with Wings of Ebony. I look forward to seeing you again in the future!
I just got her book on audible!!! Gotta support.
I love this interview-based videos. I always learn something new. Alexa, will it be okay if you can make a video interviewing an international author (Asians, etc.) and what was the publishing process for them if they're living outside the US?
You have shared an excellent video with the writing community!
Great interview!! Thank you for this!! (From a proud AMM fam mentee).♥️
Really appreciate this Alexa. 👍👍👍You are also a great interviewer.
Great advice!
Relatable.
This is amazing read !
this is incredible
in a way could this be a message to a somewhat broader range of disenfranchised populations, i.e. the disability community?
what would this comment section say about that?
If you don’t write what you want to how can you even finish?
I don’t give a goddamn about skin or genitals. Write an incredible book. Period. Anne Rice is my favorite novelist. But not because she fits a demographic. Hell, I adore her writing even though her politics are opposite mine... and she’s LOUD about it, and even demeans my side.
It’s amazing I still haven’t abandoned her. I challenge YOU to embrace some right-leaning authors. But then again, you don’t know who we are, because the right is threatened into silence. We know the Left will cancel us, censor us, ban us, smear us, and doxx us.
come one, racist in publishing, if book is good then it's good, period. I understand money scams in publishing but this is ridiculous