Diversity in Book Publishing: A Conversation Hosted by the Arlington Public Library
By Arlington Public Library
Posted on July 12, 2021, July 12, 2021

Author Richard J. Gonzales

The world of publishing is a dynamic field, filled with stories of magical, brave, and unique characters and stories. In recent years, the question has arisen: how diverse is publishing and its stories? The Arlington Public Library is excited to host ‘Diversity in Book Publishing’ on Wednesday, July 14 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Zoom. This event will be moderated by Richard J. Gonzales and features a panel of various authors from different backgrounds. The event is free, no registration required.

Diversity in Book Publishing

Wednesday, July 14, 2021, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Virtual – Zoom - click here for details

The panel will discuss how diversity impacts publishing and take questions from the public. Moderator and author Mr. Gonzales strives to bring awareness and shine a light on the lack of diversity in the publishing world. The publishing industry decides what stories are mass-produced for consumers. It also influences materials available in libraries, schools, and colleges. The panelists will share insights, resources, and action steps to making the publishing world more diverse.

Meet the panelist below and make sure to have your questions ready.

Sanderia Faye Smith

Smith serves on the faculty at Southern Methodist University, is an instructor at the 2017 Desert Nights Rising Stars Conference at Arizona State University, and a professional speaker and activist. he holds an MFA from Arizona State University, a MA from the University of Texas at Dallas, a BS in Accounting from the University of Arkansas. She received her Ph.D. in English from the University of North Texas.

Simon Han

Han is the author of Nights When Nothing Happened (Riverhead Books 2020). He was born in Tianjin, China, and raised in various cities in Texas. His short stories and essays have appeared in The Atlantic, The Iowa Review, Guernica, Electric Literature, and the Texas Observer. He has recently received awards from the MacDowell, the Tulsa Artist Fellowship, among others. A former visiting professor at the University of Tulsa, he currently lives in Carrollton, Texas.

Thea Temple

Temple is the founder, director, and CEO of Writers at Large/Jack and Jacob Myers Literary Fund. The literary agency seeks to promote artistic expression through creative exchange. She acted as Special Assistant to the Director of the Literature Program at the National Endowment for the Arts. Her education included a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Indiana University Bloomington and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Cincinnati.

Denise Chavez

A true child of La Frontera, Chavez is a novelist, playwright, actor, community activist, and teacher whose work focuses on the border corridor of southern New Mexico, West Texas, and Northern Mexico. Chavez is the owner and bookseller at Casa Camino Real, a Bookstore and Multicultural Art and Community Center, on the Historic Camino Real. Chavez is a founding member of the American Booksellers Diversity, Inclusion, and Equality. Chavez has a B.A. in Drama from New Mexico State University (1971), an M.F.A. in Drama from Trinity University (1974), and an M.A. in Creative Writing from the University of New Mexico (1984), and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of New Mexico.

Dr. Laura Jimenez

Dr. Jimenez teaches at Boston University in the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. She is the Associate Dean for Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. Dr. Jimenez believes it is her responsibility to provide a variety of avenues and opportunities for teachers to actively engage with Children's and Young Adult literature, to keep the growing diversity of students in the K-12 classroom at the forefront of her practice, and to critically evaluate the representation of mis- and under-valued communities within literature we teach children.

Richard J. Gonzales

Gonzales has published a non-fiction book, Raza Rising: Chicanos in North Texas, in March 2016, (University of North Texas Press), a historical novel Deer Dancer, July 2107 (Sleeping Panther Press) and a play Pauline and Louis, videotaped at Artes de La Rosa Theater. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Master of Science in Social Work, both degrees from the University of Texas at Arlington.

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