tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294715919128215201.post2650979355293389650..comments2024-03-22T12:26:25.438-04:00Comments on KidLitArtists.com: Why we can’t talk about diversity in kidlit without talking about moneyDebbie Ridpath Ohihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784775687291535329noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294715919128215201.post-15808100747110620422017-10-23T17:53:08.370-04:002017-10-23T17:53:08.370-04:00Thanks Bethany for reading this and your thoughtfu...Thanks Bethany for reading this and your thoughtful reply. I completely agree (and didn't cover in the article) the further frustration with undercutting, and the expectation that folks might be expected to do work on spec or for "exposure." As the publisher Daniel Nayeri just tweeted so eloquently to someone asking how they can get a foot in the door to making books: "you're entering a luxury sport for rich people... you don't need a masters degree" https://twitter.com/DanielNayeri/status/920713635537850386<br /><br />Also, re: diversity of creators and of people who work in publishing, take a look at the data and research from the Cooperative Children's Book Center that I link to in the article, or this Lee and Low baseline survey from 2015 about the lack of diversity amongst staff in the publishing industry http://blog.leeandlow.com/2016/01/26/where-is-the-diversity-in-publishing-the-2015-diversity-baseline-survey-results/. The data from these two studies alone shows a startling lack of diversity in kidlit in regards to race, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. So although you might personally have experienced a diverse community, that isn't the case nationally.K-Fai Steelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11426095804030523554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294715919128215201.post-23005616122615952462017-10-21T17:32:58.121-04:002017-10-21T17:32:58.121-04:00Thank you for your honest take on this frustrating...Thank you for your honest take on this frustrating truth. And interesting timing -- I'm currently at an SCBWI regional retreat where Erica is speaking. I wish you (and every creative hustler) continued grit and success, and perhaps, one day, a change in how things are. Cheers! :)Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07701430068921286451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294715919128215201.post-41884565171421070002017-10-19T19:11:20.526-04:002017-10-19T19:11:20.526-04:00I resonate with your article so much, K-Fai. Thank...I resonate with your article so much, K-Fai. Thank you for writing this. I have been thinking a lot about making a living as an author/illustrator. As many artists who are trying to make it, I hustled with several jobs at once all the time for years. And as a lot of published authors know, it certainly doesn't end with finally landing a debut book contract. I am so glad you are putting this into words so clearly.Aram Kimnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294715919128215201.post-88494199573703991502017-10-19T19:09:25.046-04:002017-10-19T19:09:25.046-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10908198380979039026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294715919128215201.post-76209806415802758842017-10-18T18:25:59.051-04:002017-10-18T18:25:59.051-04:00Hi K-Fai, it was so helpful. Thank you. Hi K-Fai, it was so helpful. Thank you. Sansuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05705821450369643483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294715919128215201.post-21194789058320488862017-10-18T09:58:09.777-04:002017-10-18T09:58:09.777-04:00I don't think this has anything to do with uni...I don't think this has anything to do with universal health insurance (there were state programs to help with this anyways) or a universal basic income because economics shows that raising the minimum wage puts businesses out of business, but really the fact that the business society isn't forced to pay decent wages for art! When there are illustrators from other countries offering illustrations for $5 on Fiverr and people try to undercut everyone with their prices, of course the average is going to be low. I definitely think there needs to be much more ethnic diversity and more children with disabilities in our stories and illustrations. But I have met so many illustrators of different backgrounds and ethnicities that I don't see that as a problem. I just see that most of us aren't paid for the years of experience and education, and constant new education required, to make a decent living... and of course especially when you live in a place like San Francisco or New York City.Bethanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02529749426074359749noreply@blogger.com