Why Supporting BIPOC Authors Matters in Today's Literary Landscape

Let’s be real for a second: stories shape us. They change how we see ourselves, how we see each other, and how we move through the world. But here’s the kicker—when the publishing world decides which stories are “worthy,” whole communities get silenced. Right now, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) authors are still fighting uphill battles just to get their voices heard. If we want a literary world that reflects the richness of our society, we can’t just sit on the sidelines. We need to show up, speak out, and support the hell out of BIPOC authors. Here’s why supporting BIPOC authors matters.

The Challenges BIPOC Authors Are Up Against

Gatekeeping in Publishing

Publishing is still overwhelmingly run by white folks at the top. BIPOC stories often get passed over for being “too niche” or “too risky” unless they fit neatly into a marketable mold. And if they do get published? They’re often pigeonholed into trauma narratives, as if the only stories worth telling are about suffering. That’s not representation—that’s restriction.

Book Banning and Censorship

Let’s talk about censorship. Have you noticed how often books by BIPOC authors end up on the banned list? From Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give to classics like Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, the works that dig into race, culture, or queerness are the ones people in power love to silence. Book bans aren’t just about “protecting kids.” They’re about controlling narratives and cutting off access to stories that challenge the status quo.

Limited Marketing and Visibility

Even when BIPOC authors break through, they’re rarely given the same spotlight as white authors. They don’t get the big splashy marketing campaigns, the prime bookstore displays, or the endless media coverage. Without visibility, sales suffer—making it even harder to convince publishers that these voices “deserve” space. It’s a vicious cycle we have to disrupt.

Stereotyping and Tokenization

And let’s not forget the stereotypes. Too many times, BIPOC authors are expected to deliver a single story about their community—usually centered on struggle. But BIPOC writers also create fantasy worlds, swoony romances, hilarious comedies, and joyful celebrations of identity. When publishers and readers reduce them to one lane, we all lose out on the full spectrum of brilliance.

Why Supporting BIPOC Authors Matters

Representation and Identity

Representation is fuel. When readers see characters who look like them, live like them, or wrestle with the same identities, it’s validating. It says, “You matter. Your story matters.” For readers outside that identity, it’s a chance to step into someone else’s shoes and see the world differently. That’s powerful.

Expanding Perspectives and Challenging Biases

Books crack open the walls we build around ourselves. They shake up stereotypes and force us to reckon with our biases. Reading across cultures and experiences is how we learn empathy—and how we start dismantling the systems that thrive on misunderstanding.

Strengthening the Literary Ecosystem

Here’s the thing: money talks. When we buy, read, and hype up BIPOC authors, publishers pay attention. We send a message that these voices are not just “nice to have”—they’re essential. And that ripple effect doesn’t stop at one author. It opens doors for future writers, ensures the next generation sees themselves on the page, and keeps diverse stories on shelves.

How You Can Support BIPOC Authors

Buy Their Books

Skip the billionaire-owned online giants if you can. Grab books from independent bookstores, Bookshop.org, or directly from the author.

Shout Them Out

Share what you’re reading. Post reviews and recommend them to your book club—your voice helps amplify theirs.

Fight Censorship

Pay attention to book bans in your community. Stand up for inclusive libraries and schools.

Diversify Your Shelves

Don’t just pick up BIPOC authors during heritage months—make it a year-round habit. Explore every genre, from romance to sci-fi to memoir.

Books You Should Absolutely Add to Your TBR

Here’s a starting lineup that deserves space on your bookshelf:

Fiction

• The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

• There There by Tommy Orange

• Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

  
  

Nonfiction/Memoir

• Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall

• Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

• Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

  
  

Children’s/YA

• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

• Front Desk by Kelly Yang

• We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom

  
  

Resources to Keep You Connected

• Bookshop.org – Shop indie, support diverse voices.

• Well-Read Black Girl – A thriving community celebrating Black women in literature.

• Diverse Spines – Discover BIPOC authors across genres.

• Libro.fm – Audiobooks that support independent bookstores.

  
  

Supporting BIPOC authors isn’t just about “adding diversity.” It’s about truth-telling. It’s about amplifying the voices that systems have tried to shut out. It’s about creating a literary landscape that reflects the real world we live in—messy, beautiful, complicated, and diverse.

Your Challenge

So here’s your challenge: pick up a book by a BIPOC author today. Read it, love it, and pass it on. Because when we lift up marginalized voices, we don’t just change publishing—we change culture. And honestly—that’s the kind of revolution I’m here for.