The first one is that I have had not one but two publishers interested in my latest WIP (work in progress), and I’m just waiting for the contract to peruse before making my final decision. I am really excited because this WIP includes many diverse characters, fulfilling my passion for diverse characters in fiction.
Some have asked me why having diverse characters in fiction is so important. I have both a simple answer and a slightly more complex one.
Simple answer: We live in a diverse world. When I walk down the street, I don’t see only white cis-gendered able-bodied males. No. I see people from many cultures and different shades of skin, different body sizes, different genders and sexualities, and different abilities – both physical and neurodivergent. So, unless I’m writing science fiction about a bunch of clones, I believe all fiction should involve diverse people.
Photo by Pascal Bernardon on Unsplash
Complex answer: Adding onto my simple answer, most people like to see themselves, or at least someone they can relate to, in the stories they read. Put yourself into the shoes of someone different from you – different culture/ sexuality/ gender/ ability, and so on. Then read a book where the main character is a white cis-gendered male and see how it changes your reading experience.
I’m excited that publishing companies are finally starting to publish books with diverse main characters and books written by authors of diversity. It is our way to help bring our world to an understanding and acceptance of others.
As for my third piece of news – I’m still not quite ready to share that with you yet. However, I will give you a hint: it’s something to do with a new indie book I hope to be publishing soon . . .
Kristy Kamin (Author) 