Aspiring black authors often face significant challenges when it comes to getting their stories published or advancing their careers.
Despite years of discussions, initiatives, and growing awareness of the systemic barriers in the publishing industry, Black authors and authors whose work is supported by major publishers are still significantly underrepresented.
Connections
For young, first-time authors, these hurdles can be even greater, as they often lack the resources, connections, and industry knowledge that more established authors may have.
The lack of support for young black authors has long been a significant problem in the literary world, and one that former deputy headteacher and current book publisher Juliet Coley is keen to address.
With her extensive experience in education and deep commitment to empowering young people, Coley recognized the urgent need for dedicated platforms and opportunities to nurture the talents of these emerging writers and create spaces where young black writers can thrive, share their stories, and receive the recognition they deserve.
She has launched the first Children’s Black Book Fair UK 2024 and promises to inspire and encourage a new generation of young black authors.
The event, the first of its kind, will take place at Dalston CLR James Library and will offer 25 young authors aged 6 to 15 the opportunity to sell their books, talk about their writing journey and interact with readers and the wider public.
Celebration
“I want this event to be a celebration of young black talent,” she said. “Among the authors taking part is a six-year Mensa member and world record holder from Birmingham, the first and youngest Afro-Portuguese author to write a book that has been translated into four languages, which is incredible. We need to celebrate the greatness of our community.”
“A 2019 study by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education found that only seven percent of British children’s books included black, Asian or ethnic minority characters. It is therefore crucial that black children not only recognise themselves in stories, but also actively contribute to telling them.”
Coley continued: “What these young authors have achieved has not been easy. Most of them have self-published their books, which is not cheap.
“And if you self publish, you’re left out of the Waterstones of the world because they only really work with the big publishers like Harper Collins and Penguin. So the Children’s Black Book Fair will give them a platform to reach a wider audience.”
After a successful career in education spanning two decades, the former deputy headteacher founded Young Lit Stars in 2015.
After a heart attack, she helped her then seven-year-old son Romeo write a diary he had started as a result of play therapy that helped him cope with his feelings about his mother’s illness.
At the suggestion of his siblings, they turned it into a book to help other children cope with an illness in the family.
Trust
In the years that followed, Romeo became the award-winning author of nine books and his self-confidence and English grades improved significantly.
Seeing the positive impact Romeo had, Coley and her family expanded Young Lit Stars to support other young Black authors. To date, the company has published over 25 books featuring original works by 60 Black authors ages 16 and under.
She also worked on a project that turned 19 young African children into published authors.
Coley supported students ages 9 to 12 at the Deacons Academy Foundation School of Excellence in Ghana with a book publishing project designed to help them continue their reading and literature studies when schools remained closed during the Covid-19 lockdown.
The Children’s Black Book Fair UK 2024 is the latest expression of their tireless commitment to promoting and creating opportunities for young authors.
“Without these self-published authors, we wouldn’t see people who look like us in books,” she said. “These authors are the ones who are flying the flag so that other kids can open books and see people who look like them and realize that they can be anything they want to be.”
Inspired
Commenting on the event, Coley’s son, now 16-year-old author Romeo Bremmer, said: “I have attended many events and spoken about my books on many occasions, but to be in a room with young people who are also authors is something very special.”
“It’s important that people see that it’s mainly guys like me who are publishing books and that I’m not an exception. Reading and writing are very powerful and I want my community, young and old, to be inspired.
“It’s important to have a book fair like this because representation matters. You can’t be what you don’t see and our stories should be told and shared.”
Another author who will participate in the event is 12-year-old Oneicia Edwards John-Baptiste, author of two affirmation journals.
She said: “The attention the children’s book fair brings to young black authors is incredible. It also gives me the opportunity to talk to parents and children about the power of affirmations and how you can be a better version of yourself by thinking positively.”
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