Every reader deserves to see themself reflected in the pages of a book.

And yet, as any aspiring or published author will testify, the road to readers’ bookshelves is fraught with obstacles. A series of yeses from the industry’s gatekeepers is needed, first by an agent, without whom most traditional publishers will not consider an author’s work. Then comes the required yes from an editor, then an editorial department, the sales and marketing department, and the publishing house at large. Every yes can be more difficult to obtain than the last, and for marginalized authors, the process sometimes seems impossible.

As agents, we hold the keys to an industry where 95% of books are written by white people. Meanwhile, literary agents working today are 73.7% white. This is not a coincidence, and neither are the obstacles diverse agents face in a broadly commission-based and unregulated industry, which their colleagues do not.

This is why the work of Literary Agents of Change (LAOC) matters so deeply. LAOC is a nonprofit organization on a mission to increase the number of literary agents from historically underrepresented groups working in publishing through fellowships, mentorship programs, and sustainable resources meant to improve retention of literary agents at large. On this Giving Tuesday, we ask that you donate to help us continue to enact change. This year’s ambitious fundraising goal of 75k will cover our budgetary expenses for the coming year. Your donation is an investment in making publishing more diverse, equitable, and inclusive for agents and authors alike. Together, we can create an industry where authors from diverse backgrounds find their passionate advocates, and a world where every reader can open up a book, and find themself.

Thank you for sharing this dream.

Enable Literary Agents -> Empower Authors -> Enlighten Readers

Join the 2024 Giving Tuesday Fundraising Campaign for Literary Agents of Change

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