Whether you are an avid or reluctant reader, it is easy to recognise trends in book popularity. In the past, the majority of narratives readily available in households and school libraries delineated the trials and tribulations of white middle-class individuals. The only alternative were the personal experiences of marginalised groups, yet these were still written through the lens of a predominantly white, middle-class authorship, many of which featured undertones which were anything but favourable. Nowadays, the book industry is making a much needed move toward a broader, more inclusive authorship, enabling more individuals to share and represent their own experiences. However, there is a responsibility on readers to ensure this continues.
Popular fiction aims to promote the notion of individuality through the presentation of heterogeneous experiences. In order for this to be achieved however, it is necessary for books to represent the experiences of the greater population, not just one aspect of it. Literary prizes play a significant role in the longevity of new titles and the revival of old ones and, more importantly, allow marginalised experiences to be articulated. Many advertising and marketing groups require a book to have a set amount of reviews before they accept a request. As we live in the age of information, with an insurmountable number of books being published everyday, taking the time to leave a review on a book enables it to stand out in a crowded market. These reviews act not only as validation to the author but also enable them to access advertisers and publishers, and continue to write the content the public loves. Positive reviews may also enable books to become nominated for a literary award, which boosts the sales of the author exponentially. One shiny sticker boasting a literary award ensures sales and availability in a broader range of bookshops and libraries. However, there are many barriers in attaining book prizes or even achieving a nomination in the first place. Although authors do not need publishers to get noticed for some literary awards, in reality the funds required to pay competition entry fees are often footed by publishing houses. This excludes self-published authors and small publishers entirely.
The lack of popularity of books written by people of colour and from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds in the past said less about the quality and importance of their content and more about the inaccessibility to publishers, promotional platforms and awards which a less privileged writership experienced. This is exemplified by the stratospheric 1,340% boost in sales week on week of Bernardine Evaristo’s Girl, Woman, Other after it was awarded the Booker Prize in 2019. In order to help tackle the lack of diversity in the industry, a grassroots organisation, ‘People of Colour in Publishing’, was founded which aims to hire and support people of colour whether they are already established or new to the industry.
Literary prizes, publishers, and the general public need to make greater efforts to ensure that the established authorship is reflective of the citizens of our world. Publishers and organisers of literary awards can provide additional support to authors who may face more barriers in the process of publishing and attaining funding. It’s worth remembering, however, that readers can also foster this change by leaving reviews on Goodreads and supporting and promoting a more diverse writership.
