Piper Huguely on Redesigning Black History Pt. 2

In this episode of “Black Writer Therapy,” Piper G. Hughley discusses the challenges and triumphs of advocating for her work as a black woman in the publishing industry. She reflects on the importance of centering black women’s stories and the audacity required to do so in a white-dominated industry. Piper also shares her thoughts on the need for new strategies in writing to capture the attention of modern readers. She discusses her thoughts on how to increase representation in the publishing industry through programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Lastly, she shares her upcoming projects and urges aspiring writers to read in their chosen genre, craft books, and everything else.

Take Aways

1. Advocating for your work as a writer requires persistence and audacity, especially for underrepresented voices like black women in a white-dominated industry.

2. Writers need new strategies to capture the attention of modern readers, who have shorter attention spans and different reading preferences.

3. Increasing underrepresented presences in the publishing industry is crucial, and initiatives like establishing publishing programs at HBCUs can provide opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.

4. Centering black women’s stories in historical fiction and other genres is essential for representation and challenging the white default narrative.

Discussion questions:

1. How can writers advocate for their work in a competitive industry while demanding to be centered in their own lives?

2. What are some effective strategies for capturing the attention of 21st-century readers, considering their shorter attention spans and changing reading preferences?

3. How can we increase access and representation in the publishing industry, particularly in terms of editors and agents, and what role can HBCUs play in this endeavor?

4. Why is it important to center black women’s stories, particularly in historical fiction, and how can this challenge the white default narrative?

Connect with Piper Huguley

Winterthur Museum Dec. 06, 2023

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