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The Bookseller to run monthly preview on books by underrepresented authors
The Bookseller is to run a new monthly preview focused on forthcoming books from underrepresented authors, with a particular emphasis on independent publishers and small presses. The preview will be curated by freelance journalist Natasha Onwuemezi (pictured), a former reporter at The Bookseller.
The new "Discover" preview will cover first publication of titles in print from any genre (including fiction, non-fiction and children's), and will highlight books and authors from marginalised communities, including but not restricted to Black, Asian and minority ethnic, LGBTQ+, disabled, and working-class writers.
All publishers can submit to the preview, but the intention is to showcase publications from independent publishers, small presses, and/or imprints focused on these sectors. The preview will run at the beginning of each month and will cover titles one month ahead of publication. The new addition will complement the existing previews for fiction, non-fiction, children's and paperback titles—which will continue to highlight new titles three months ahead of release—as well as the magazine's deep-dives such as its Scottish, Welsh and Northern Focuses, and the recently announced Disability Issue.
Onwuemezi, who first joined The Bookseller in 2015, re-joins as associate editor and will also join comment editor Molly Flatt as a co-programmer of The Bookseller's annual publishing conference FutureBook, as well as joining the judging panel for the British Book Awards. Earlier this year Onwuemezi compiled the Black Author's Preview, published on 9th April as part of its Black Issue. The first Discover Preview will run in the issue of 3rd September, featuring titles to be published in October. The submission deadline is 6th August.
Philip Jones, editor of The Bookseller, said: "This is a significant change to our books output, reflecting what we think is an important shift in the marketplace, as evidenced by the recent Inclusive Indies announcement, and that of the new June Sarpong list within HarperCollins. The drive to broaden publisher output comes at a time when there are many more independent presses willing and able to take up that challenge, as well as dedicated imprints and lists within the bigger houses. It is our intention to represent these new publications and publishing, bringing these books to the attention of booksellers and the media. I'm delighted that Natasha, who pioneered our work around small presses when she was a reporter on the magazine, is returning to the fold to lead this for us."
Onwuemezi said: "I am so excited to be returning to The Bookseller—where I cut my teeth as a baby reporter—and leading the coverage of such a pivotal and exciting part of the book trade. I’ve long been amazed by the innovation and dynamism of small presses and the often-overlooked talent of underrepresented authors, so I can’t wait to shine a light on their output. Building on [the founder of the Black Agents & Editors' Group and commissioning editor for Ebury Press (Lifestyle)] Marianne Tatepo’s fantastic work on the Black Issue and The Bookseller’s other special focuses, the new Discover Preview will bring much-needed attention to the hidden gems in our industry."
Electronic submissions, including an AI, may be emailed to Natasha.Onwuemezi@gmail.com; publicists wishing to send printed material may email Natasha for her address in the first instance.
Key dates:
The first Discover Preview will run in the issue of 3rd September, featuring titles to be published in October. The submission deadline is 6th August; copy deadline is 24th August.
The next will run in the issue of 1st October, featuring titles to be published in November. The submission deadline is 3rd September; copy deadline is 22nd September.
The next will run in the issue of 5th November, featuring titles to be published in December. The submission deadline is 1st October; copy deadline is 27th October.
The next will run in the issue of 3rd December, featuring titles to be published in January. The submission deadline is 3rd October; copy deadline is 24th November.
