We talked to emerging UK children’s writers of colour about how publishing can do better: here’s what they think!
Tag Archives: diversity
What we learned about: why Megaphone matters.
“”It is very important for me to have this space as it introduced me to authors who look and sound like me, who understand my protagonists and also my worries”
Megaphone participants’ recent success:
It’s great to start the week with some good news about Megaphone participants – obviously we know they are talented writers who’ll go far, but it’s good to see that being recognised elsewhere too! Joyce Efia Harmer has been shortlisted to take part in the Penguin Random House taster day #WriteNow- her entry stood out from overContinue reading “Megaphone participants’ recent success:”
The mainstream is diverse; the literature industry isn’t.
There is so much to think about and talk over, following the recent A Place at The Table conference on diversity in children’s literature.Author Catherine Johnson’s article about the conference is here, with a mention for Megaphone: http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2016/jun/17/childrens-books-diversity-change-inclusive-minds?CMP=share_btn_fb#_=_ She certainly speaks for me when she writes: I think a lot of people – me includedContinue reading “The mainstream is diverse; the literature industry isn’t.”
Megaphone first masterclass!
The first Megaphone masterclass took place on Saturday 02/04/2016 at Writing West Midlands’ meeting room in the Custard Factory, Digbeth, Birmingham (venue kindly provided as in-kind funding by Writing West Midlands). I didn’t notice the graffiti outside the window when I was taking this but it’s quite funny! We looked at book, story, plot pointsContinue reading “Megaphone first masterclass!”
Peter Kalu on voice, publishing and the barriers BAME writers face:
Peter Kalu is a poet, novelist, playwright and script writer. He started writing as a member of the Moss Side Write black writers workshop and has had five novels, two film scripts and three theatre plays produced to date, winning a number of prizes in the process. I interviewed him ahead of his upcoming appearance at BareContinue reading “Peter Kalu on voice, publishing and the barriers BAME writers face:”
Spotlight on Catherine Johnson, author and Megaphone masterclass leader
“In twenty years I have only ever worked with one Black editor.”
Spotlight on Rachel Mann: Children’s Fiction Editor, charity founder and teacher
“Publishing is an industry which has a lot to do with canon and heritage, and one that can be very slow to change.”
Spotlight on Jane Griffiths, Children’s Fiction Commissioning Editor.
Spotlights tell you more about the people involved in Megaphone: writers, editors and agents. Jane Griffiths is one of the editors who is generously donating her time to help select the applicants for Megaphone and to deliver final feedback on the manuscripts. She has worked in publishing for over ten years and is currently Senior CommissioningContinue reading “Spotlight on Jane Griffiths, Children’s Fiction Commissioning Editor.”
Spotlight on Lee Weatherly, author and Megaphone masterclass leader.
“Writing is hard, that’s the main thing I know.”