I won’t lie, there have been some challenging moments in 2021 thus far. The closure of Urbane – though completed as positively as possible – was obviously a huge blow for me personally and the many authors and readers who had shown such energy, enthusiasm and support for a little indie publisher over the last seven years. Despite the solace of finding new homes for many authors and books during the closure there was a point where I thought ‘Sod this!’ and wanted to walk away from publishing altogether.
And if I’m honest, stepping back from the 24/7 that Urbane demanded and getting a clear, topical view of aspects of the publishing industry didn’t exactly fuel me with optimism. There was the usual skewed nonsense about how good everything is because a cosy crime thriller by a celebrity is selling well, the never-ending stream of pile ‘em high, sell ‘em cheap titles where each author’s individuality and uniqueness is squeezed, moulded and subsumed to fit a templated strapline and popular category (thus ensuring a very brief blitz of the Amazon charts), and ever-more worrying tales of indie publishers and indie bookshops continuing to struggle courageously not to grow and prosper but simply survive.
Most painful of all however was to see the horrific amount of backstabbing, sniping and divisions any and all issues seemed to provoke, rather than reasoned and positive debate and efforts to rectify concerns. The Kate Clanchy controversy was a particular eye-opener for me, not simply because so many had been happy to support and even acclaim a book that contains clearly offensive portrayals of children of colour and autistic children, but that when the issue became more broadly covered it turned into an unforgiveable torrent of ill-informed abuse from all sides, much of it from industry figures and authors who should frankly act with a damn sight more tolerance, level-headedness and fucking decorum. And how did the publisher respond? Well, initially it didn’t, which in itself tells you all you need to know. Then it apologised (with sincerity obviously) and announced a new edition (but not so it could make big bucks out of the book all over again – honest). No wonder the cynic in me was starting to raise its ugly head.
But that got me thinking. Ever the positive soul I recognise that things can only get better (thanks D:Ream) if you stick it out and try to make them better. Yes, the publishing industry is full of issues (some of them soul-destroying for a naïve soul like me, who as a young bookseller revelled in readers queuing hundreds strong to get their hands on A Suitable Boy in hardback. Yes, I’m that old). Yet even now seeing every new book that’s published gives me a thrill – especially if it dares to be different. And the business is absolutely chock full of talented, brave and innovative souls and ever-more brilliant writers, all striving positively to get their voices heard and their work before readers’ eyes.
Of course, I’m not sure starting a Literary Agency is necessarily going to effect positive sweeping change, but it will allow me to do my little bit and continue working in collaboration with some amazing authors and publishers. Let’s be honest, in a world where a leading minister doesn’t know what misogyny is, and a Prime Minister thinks poor alliteration (Build Back Beaver anyone?) is the height of governance, any and all acts of positivity are to be welcomed.
So how can I do something to positive for writers and readers, other than try to get great authors great publishing deals, particularly as I’m already working with some wonderful writers? Well, I’m going to start by giving specific focus to a diverse writer and their work. But for free. Like all agents any revenue I earn will come from book sales, and the average industry commission seems to be around 15%-20% – my commission is currently 10% by the way (quick plug!). But for the next debut diverse author who is signed and represented by Exprimez I won’t take any commission at all. Nada. Zilch. Just give my experience and energy and support for free and do my utmost to get their book the best deal possible. My hope is that a new, talented diverse author sees this as a genuinely exciting opportunity to work proactively with me to get their work published, and is hopefully the first step in ultimately building a truly representative portfolio of amazing authors and books.
As seems to be the current fashion, I’m sure I’ll receive a number of negative comments about this. Most will assume – cynically – that’s it’s a gimmick or cheap PR ploy. Others, perhaps rightly, will say that as a white,middle-aged and (nearly) middle-class man I’m very much part of the very real and very big patriarchal problem in publishing and it’s typical of someone in my role to assume they can wave a (non-Hogwarts) wand and effect change. Or that I’m supremely arrogant to think my support for one author can make a difference. But the sad truth is that in all my years of publishing, and despite some books I’m very proud of, I’ve never done enough to actively encourage, consider or progress proposals from diverse authors or published anywhere near enough diverse content. I want to try and do something about that. Call it selfish if you like, but if it helps a diverse debut author get published and read then the job’s a good ‘un.
Many will scoff that I’m just yet another arrogant patriarchal arse, but that doesn’t matter frankly. If it means I can help some authors who are woefully underrepresented get published and their work read, then that’s a win. A beautifully positive one.
So, Exprimez is open for submissions, particularly for books by and about diverse experiences, including (but not limited to) LGBTQIA, people of colour, gender diversity, people with disabilities, and ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities. I very much welcome considering them all. And perhaps, just perhaps, this long-in-the-tooth but still energised, enthused and engaged publishing person can help some authors make a genuine difference. As my very wise daughter recently told me, ‘What matters is not simply getting it right, but that you try’. I’ll give it a whirl.
All submissions can be sent to matthew@exprimez.com or via the Contact page.
