I’m thrilled to share a conversation with fellow Books & Such author, Robin W. Pearson, 2020 Christy Award in the First Novel category for her novel, Long Time Comin’ (Tyndale 2019).
Since Robin is one of the few traditionally-published Christian novelists of color, I asked Robin to share her journey, particularly when the 2019 Lee & Low Diversity research reported that the publishing industry is almost 80% Caucasian.
I hope that you enjoy Robin’s inspiring story as she about the internal struggles about whether or not her characters’ culture and language would be accepted by a mainstream audience.*
“I felt like this story was something that all of us could learn from. People could identify with family, faith, bitterness or things that we need to let go of and hold onto. I wanted to see this story on a shelf and in someone’s heart. This was my hope and my prayer.” -Robin W. Pearson on her novel, Long Time Comin’
Bonus…after our interview, Robin asked if I could turn back on the recording because she wanted to share a final few encouraging words. So, watch the one-minute video below after viewing our interview.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: As you listen to Robin’s story and consider the industry’s desire to increase diversity in our novels, non-fiction books and in publishing houses, we’d love to hear your thoughts:
- When it comes to increasing diversity in our novels and books, what is Christian publishing doing right?
- Where can Christian publishing, editors, authors and agents increase opportunities or reduce barriers to increase diversity in our industry?
*Special note: Robin mentioned that the family in her new novel, ‘Til I Want No More was Puerto Rican in the interview. After the interview she realized that she misspoke and that the family in her story is Cuban.
How Current Should Your Book Be?
Unfortunately, my connexion’s too slow to see the videos, but if I may offer my thoughts on life and faith and colour…
I’m of a Mongol ancestry,
but Grandma was a Jew,
so if you want minority,
Bubba, I got two!
For Hanukkah I will bake
latkes, and light menorah,
but look like I’m in the remake
of “Tora, Tora, Tora!”
Mezuzah’s in the dorframe,
and I can make minyan,
but my great-great-Grandpa bears the name
(yes!) of Genghis Khan,
so I’m torn between the Holy Land,
or just sacking Samarqand.
Congratulations to Robin! Thank you, Barb, for hosting this wonderful interview! I appreciate both of you sharing your insights, heart and honesty regarding the issue of diversity in Christian fiction. I pray God will continue to open wide these doors for you and for others. As you say, Robin, in the Bible God refers to one race, but many different ethnic groups, cultures and traditions. May we value all the magnificent diversity God has woven into our DNA as the human race, as each one is a reflection of our beautiful Creator. God bless you!
Thank you, Melissa! Yes, our writing should reflect the diversity of our traditions and cultures and the unity of our faith.
Thank you both for sharing honestly with us about your journeys through our very white publishing world. I appreciate your insights and love your hearts.
Grateful for the journey, Janet! ????
Love Robin’s note at the end. Thank you, Robin, for that encouragement!
Thank you! I hope readers and writers will explore new stories and voices.
Congratulations on your Christy, Robin! Thank you for this interview. So many of the things you said need to live as quotes for they are encouragements for Christian writers of any ethnicity and for those who long to write but fear their stories won’t matter or won’t be published. I love what you said about their being a place at the table for everyone–truly, we need everyone at the table to better understand our world. Reading the stories of others is like breaking bread with them–real fellowship and sisterhood. May God bless you as you continue to bring powerful stories to readers and give Him all glory!
Thank you, and congratulations to you on your Christy Award! Indeed God made room for us all to pull up a seat, and He inspired quite a feast, our stories. Blessings to you!????
Thank you so much for this interview. I’m happy to hear you say there’s room for everyone to write diverse characters and stories. I’m unpublished and my first manuscript features an interracial couple as the main characters, and I have other characters of color throughout the story. To me, this is realistic, just as you mentioned in the interview, Robin.
I was told recently during an ACFW conference editor appointment that no publisher would touch my story right now because I’m a white person writing about black characters. What are your thoughts on that? Thanks so much, and congratulations to you on your success as an author!
That makes me sad to hear that, Deena. This story was 20+ years in the making, and I heard a lot of naysayers during that time, including my own doubts and fears. Yet, I had a vision, and I found an agent, a publisher, and an audience when it was time. Trust God to have the final say!
Congrats on the award, Robin, and thank you Barb for posting the interview. Having been brought up to be color blind (which made sense when I learned at age 46 that my mother was 1/8th black), I find it difficult to be anything but color blind in my writing. Hence, even in my baseball novels, I don’t mention race. I let the reader assume the race of the players. I just don’t see how I can do any other.
Thank you! I’m no expert by any means, David, but I believe we should appreciate what makes us unique and yes, “different,” not discriminate because of those differences. Like you, I do love giving readers room to imagine how our characters look, letting them fill in the gaps with their own mental pictures. But if I can describe the Carolina blue of JD’s vintage truck, then… We shouldn’t hesitate to help our readers see what—and who—we see.
Thank you for this interview, and congratulations to Robin! I loved hearing her thoughts, especially that Christian writing and publishing should be the most diverse, reflecting all God’s creation and people, because we truly are one race.
My very small contribution to that goal is that I’ve always asked for the illustrations in my children’s books to show accurate skin tones in Bible story art and diverse ethnicities in contemporary devotionals.
Thank you, Diane! And love this. ???? When I worked in school publishing, we tried to ensure that images reflected the diversity in the population. Editors wanted students to see themselves in our textbooks, not merely using them. Happy writing!
Thank you so much for sharing your long journey of writing with us, Robin! As someone who has also been working at this writing thing for a long time, it was such a thrill to share as you told of the road traveled up until this fabulous moment with the Christy Award! So inspiring, but also just so fun! To cheer on another as she shines in what God has called her to is a delight. Thank you for letting us come along with you. And I love that you were preserving the things your grandparents said and did, keeping the family stories alive for your own kids. My grandpa is 102 and I worked with one of his nieces to get some of his amazing stories down for all of us to enjoy. What an amazing thing for your own children to read and enjoy. Although, I am really hoping that my sons don’t copy some of Grandpa’s antics, like hopping a moving train during the depression or playing this “game” where he and a buddy would shoot playing cards out of each other’s hands, yikes! Hearing that this story came out of you preserving your families stories has made me put your book onto my TBR list today! I love to hear the story behind the story. Thank you!
Oh, ha ha! “Family’s” not families,” argh!
Kristen, thanks for celebrating with me! Still dancing over here. ???? I had to read the “shooting” part twice to know you really meant shooting! Sounds like your grandfather has some exciting stories of his own to share. ????
Wow…thank you so much, Robin and Barb, for taking the time to do this interview and share it with us. Diversity (or lack thereof) in the CBA world is an issue that has been on my heart for some time, and I’m grateful it is getting a bit more attention now, though we still have so far to go. Thank you also for the extra encouragement at the end, too, Robin…it really ministered to my heart for my own stories.
Thank you both for your perseverance and courage. We need your voices so much, along with all the rest of the full, beautifully varied, body of Christ. Blessings!
I’m glad I could encourage you, Kiersti. Yes, Christ has called each of us to use our various gifts and voices to further His kingdom and spread the Good News. Just trying to answer that call. Blessings to you!
Congratulations again, Robin! Such joy to share the Christy win with you. And thank you both for this interview. Since I’m not published yet, I’ve no personal experience with how widespread this conversation is in the industry. But I was saddened to have one person I had an appointment with suggest I take out some diversity elements from my story & make it more like “mainstreet” America. I’m thrilled to hear the industry is being more intentional re: diversity of cultures, races, etc. And Robin, thanks for your extra encouragement at the end. You speak the truth that some of us are fearful of getting things wrong when we write about those different from ourselves. Ladies, your interview is instilling courage! Thank you.
Mary Kay, thank you! Barbara had such vision when she suggested this interview, and I’m grateful that it can inspire and encourage writers, readers, and other members of the industry. I’ve received my own “interesting” advice over the years, but we need to consult the Author of our faith for the final say. Love and blessings to you.