American Fiction: scathing and accurate portrayal of the obstacles black writers face in publishing
Despite his clear talent, Monk continuously faces rejection for his latest novel.
- Despite his clear talent, Monk continuously faces rejection for his latest novel.
- It’s never explicitly said but it’s made pretty clear that his book is just not “black enough”.
- Authors from historically marginalised communities, including black authors, repeatedly encounter obstacles to getting their work published, receiving post-publication support, or securing a safe platform that allows their voices to be heard.
The struggle for authentic representation
- Monk considers the book as pandering “black poverty porn” and its success drives him to the edge.
- In one scene, Monk asks a bookseller why his books are being stocked in the African-American Studies section as they’re “just literature”.
- When he takes his books to sit among the general fiction, he’s confronted with a large display of We’s Lives in Da Ghetto.
- It reflects an idea of blackness and black experience that publishers are all too happy to buy into.
Commercial success vs. authenticity
- It’s his answer to the absurdity of the publishing industry, replete with almost every black stereotype he could think of, including gangs, absent fathers, guns and drugs.
- To Monk (and initially his agent) this is an unsellable book that obviously calls out the racism inherent in the success of such books like Sintara Golden’s.
- To his complete bewilderment, however, he’s offered a $750,000 advance from a publisher who had passed on his other work.
- In the midst of all this, Monk is asked to be the diversity inclusion to judge a prestigious literary award.
- The conversation between the two touches on the complex issues surrounding authenticity, commercialisation, “selling out” and the definition of meaningful representation.
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Ellis Walker does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.