
In this issue, I’m taking a step back from last week’s Diversity News update.
You’ll still find posts about how issues around Black authors are affected. But you’ll also find my regular fare: book marketing news.
I appreciate the #PublishiingPaidMe movement. We need to know whether Black authors make less then white authors, right?
I hope you enjoy this week’s selection.
Stay safe!
Poetry News
Police violence, heritage and love: Forward poetry prizes reveal shortlists ‘made to last’ from the Guardian: Natalie Diaz, a former MacArthur Genius grant recipient makes the Forward prize shortlist for best collection.
#PublishingPaidMe
#Publishingpaidme: authors share advances to expose racial disparities from the Guardian: This hashtag exposes injustices in publishing. When all authors reveal what publishing pays them, it becomes clear that people of color are paid less.
Diversity in the News
As interest in documentaries and movies that tell stories of African-American experiences rises, four scholars share their must-sees from the Wall Street Journal: “Interest in documentaries and movies that tell stories of the black experience is running high as protests over the police killing of George Floyd continue and as Americans aim to learn more about race.”
NBCC Board Gutted as Fallout Over Leaked Emails, Race Issues Widens from Publisher’s Weekly: The issues around diversity reached the National Book Critics Circle. Learn more by reading this post.
Poetry Foundation Responds to Criticism, Pledges Action from Publisher’s Weekly: Issues around diversity and Black Lives Matter are touching every corner of the publishing world.
Can #BlackoutBestsellerList be the reckoning the publishing industry needs? from the Guardian: Industries are undergoing reckonings around race. Now, prominent Black writers are sharing the #BlackoutBestsellerList, a campaign encouraging readers to buy books by black authors between now and 20 June to push them to the top of bestseller lists.
Blogging News
100+ Blogging Statistics That Will Help You Create A Better Content Strategy from Blogging Wizard and by Kim Lochery: “Are you interested in seriously ramping up your blogging strategy for 2020 and beyond? These specially hand-picked blogging statistics are going to help with that ….” Also, be sure to read my post 12 Book Marketing Blogs to Read and 50 Blogging Topics for Authors.
How to Start a Blog: A Simple, Step-by-Step Guide for Writers from The Write Life and by Susan Shain: This post includes all the elements authors need to start a blog. If you don’t have a blog, read this post to get started.
Social Media News
Facebook Provides New Overview of How its Ad System Works from Social Media Today: Facebook published a new overview of how its advertising system works.
Book Marketing
Book Marketing Psychology: 5 Powerful Principles of Human Behavior by Ross Kimbarovsky: Kimbarovsky explains how 5 powerful principles of human behavior to supercharge your book marketing.
How I Hosted a Socially Distanced Book Event from Jane Friedman’s blog and by Ed Cyzewski: Read how Ed Cyzewski hosted a book reading and book launch during a pandemic.
Quote of the Week


I am an author and social media consultant for writers. My focus is on helping writers like you surmount the barriers that keep them from flourishing online and building their platform. I also provide content writing and email marketing services. Be sure to download my ebook about Twitter marketing. You can get it now for free!