Happy Saturday, Friends!
I know it’s been awhile since we’ve had a open discussion. Hopefully we’ll have more as we get back into the groove of blogging after our wonderful Christmas break.
Today’s question/discussion is pretty simple. What would you like to see more of in diverse fiction? The world’s your oyster so share in the comments!
Diversity Between the Pages 
Wow — this has had me thinking all day and I haven’t exactly pulled my thoughts into any kind of order so my answer is going to be random. 🙂 Here goes.
I’d like to see more diversity from the bigger publishers. In part, that’s because I have a better chance of getting my hands on a print copy but also because it’s way past time. I’ve been encouraged by the Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense lines — still few and far between but way more than they’ve done in the past, as far as I can tell.
I’d love to see cover images reflect accurate skin tones — I mentioned that before here.
I think Asian and Aboriginal heroes and heroines are needed — they seem to have a much lower representation as far as main characters go.
I’d also like to see heroes and heroines with disabilities.
And while I read Christian fiction for the inspirational messages, I think secondary characters of other faiths would reflect the world I live in much better. And not where they are converted to Christianity — though that’s a great storyline too. Just a respectful look at different beliefs and the way we can live together and support one another.
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I love everything you mention in here. I have been encouraged by LI but I would definitely like to see a better representation especially by bigger publishing houses.
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Everything Kav said. 😀 And for me, where bigger publishers are concerned, that includes publishing more diverse authors as well as diverse books, which I suspect also means that publishers may have to look into hiring more diverse staff and making more diverse partnerships. (I “suspect,” as I haven’t personally gone and checked Christian publishers’ current staff lists or anything. 🙂 )
That may also take more people of color getting into Christian publishing in general, and I don’t think that necessarily has to translate into more segregation–that is, separate publishers and imprints for diverse books. While I see the good in finding ways to feature and bring exposure to diverse books (like this blog! ❤ ), especially since exposure can be harder to come by for diverse books and authors, I don't think publishers, bookstores, etc. must always essentially separate books by race.
I'm also staying on the lookout for more diverse ChristFic in a range of genres. While contemporary fiction (from a publisher that no longer exists 😦 ) was my introduction into diverse ChristFic, and romance and women's fiction may be where I find most of it myself, I'm keeping my eyes peeled for diverse adventure, mysteries, suspense (not only romantic suspense), humor and chick lit (not only romantic comedies), love stories (distinct from genre romance), holiday-themed reads (again, not only romances), thrillers, historical fiction (not only about American slavery or the Civil War, the Jim Crow South, or the Civil Rights Movement and unrest of the '50s and '60s–certainly important topics, but people of color are and have always been more than just a "racial issue" to write about), legal thrillers/suspense, supernatural fiction, war and military fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, etc. etc…. All in Christian Fiction.
I'm also keeping my eyes open for more diverse middle grade and young adult fiction, plus more male authors writing diverse ChristFic.
I've already started to find some books like these (thanks in part to this blog!), and I know that in other areas, I'll need a little patience.
I have a feeling that in some respects, for diverse authors especially, delayed or limited exposure and access have been factors. When the public hasn't seen many people of color in techno-thriller adventures, or in whodunits, or on book covers on Christian Fiction shelves in bookstores and libraries, or any number of other places, it takes a little while for folks to recognize that so much more than what we've seen is possible, and that more is necessary. 🙂
And by the way, nothing I've said above is meant to be a knock against romance! I've even published some diverse ChristFic romance myself. 😀 I just mean I'm hoping to expand my diverse-ChristFic-loving horizons.
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Yes! I wish they wouldn’t segregate by race. Just put everyone in their appropriate genre.
I also would love to see more diversity in different genres. Speaking of middle grade, Rashad Jennings has two books releasing this year in that age group. They are fantasy series called The Coin Slot Chronicles. I saw it in the CBD catalog.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and following this blog!
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Yes indeed! I saw Arcade and the Triple T Token in an email and put it right on my TBR list. 😀
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In addition to everything already mentioned, it would be great to see more fiction with leads who have mixed heritage and/or are neurodiverse, especially in the thriller and spec fic genres. For boys as well.
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