Resisting Book Industry Gatekeeping

Traditional publishing still holds a powerful place in many authors’ imaginations. Even writers who care deeply about equity, access, and justice often find themselves wanting the validation of a traditional book deal. But what happens when the industry we’re trying to enter is built around gatekeeping? In this episode, we’re talking about alternatives to traditional publishing, the history and rhetoric behind “vanity press” shaming, and why excellence does not have to mean waiting for permission from the Big Five.

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Timestamps:

0:00-Intro

1:42 Wanting a book deal vs resisting the traditional industry

4:37 What is gatekeeping

6:21 Historical context of book publishing gatekeeping vs resistance

8:30 Differentiating traditional publishers from nontraditional publishers

12:22 The origin of the term "vanity presses"

14:45 The structure of gatekeeping in history

18:55 The two ways gatekeeping works

20:58 Separating neutral aspects of traditional publishing from inequitable aspects

24:30 Three ways authors can resist

24:55 Reflect on your own thought patterns surrounding traditional publishers

27:27 Identify gatekeeping as a historical pattern that prevents access

31:20 Remember that traditional publishers are trying to predict reader reaction

36:20 If you want a traditional contract, go into it with context

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