White Writer; Black Characters
As I mentioned at the end of my last post, I am facing a formidable but understandable hurdle to traditionally publishing my historical fiction novel. I am white, but my story is made up of a cast of Black characters. I never set out to write a “Black” story; I wanted to write a story featuring a historical character who happens to be Black. When and where he lived dictated the ethnicity of the other characters. Regardless, the fact that I wrote this story seems to be making publishers nervous. One major publisher responded to my agent’s submission of my manuscript with this comment:
Thanks for passing along Cathy’s debut manuscript. It’s exactly the sort of uplifting and encouraging Southern novel I’m excited to see. But in light of the nuanced national conversation about racial injustice, I’m extremely hesitant to publish a book with Black protagonists as written by a white author.
Extremely hesitant. Sigh.
My initial reason for writing my novel was to give a gift to my adopted bi-racial (Black and Caucasian) sons. I wanted them to get to know and become inspired by someone who looked like them: George Washington Carver. He was an accomplished scientist and artist, among other things. Though he had a challenging beginning, he overcame a slew of obstacles and helped many people improve their lives in practical ways. George also loved and relied on God, dedicating his life and work to Him. The more I learned about George, the more captivated I became, and the more I felt compelled to write about him.
When I first started reading books to my sons about George, I noticed there were few middle-grade books about this man. So, though my kids were in elementary school at the time, I set out to write a historical fiction middle-grade novel they would enjoy when they got older that featured George. I included a 12-year-old boy in my story with whom I felt my sons could relate. And I threw in a dog.
Fast forward (too) many years, and there I was–a discouraged writer with a finished manuscript and no book contract, only some brief interest. Something that surfaced more than once in the feedback I received from publishers and agents was that I should rewrite my book for adults. They suggested I keep George and the 12-year-old but further develop the 51-year-old widow character. She, along with George, especially, sparked an interest.
It took me a while, but, to use the 2020 Word of the Year (and 2021 Overused Word of the Year), I decided to “pivot.” To shake things up, I’ll call it “readjust.”
After much prayer, a measure of courage, and some fresh ideas, I got busy. I kept the same characters but added to my story. In some sections, I did a complete rewrite, yet the setting (Alabama and Tuskegee University) and the time (1930s) remained the same, as did the main characters, including George. It became a better book as a result. When I finished, I found an agent who agreed to take me on as a client. Brave man, it turns out.
Please know that I am tender toward the “nuanced national conversation about racial injustice” for the sake of my dear sons (who are now young adults) and the world. My intent in writing my story was never to be offensive, presumptuous, or insensitive, but rather to inspire and entertain through George and other characters. I did my due diligence in my research and labored to write my character-driven novel accurately and respectfully. Perhaps a publisher and subsequent readers will give it a chance someday. I pray it will happen. George overcame a slew of obstacles. Perhaps, in this very small thing by comparison, I will, too.
In the meantime, I’ll keep doing what I feel called to do: help others by ghostwriting their memoirs while also dedicating regular time and attention to writing a new historical fiction novel. The one I’m currently working on is about a German girl navigating a challenging life-changing situation. It’s loosely based on the life of my grandfather’s birthmother.
Are you trying to overcome some sort of obstacle? Or, have you had to “readjust” in some way? If so, what was the result?