Black authors’ work is surging, which is a great, great thing. Long overdue. Not long ago, LGBTQ authors made a comeback, and their work came into its own. Harry Potter taught the world that Young Adult was important for all, not just kids. All the books labeled with GIRL or WOMAN over the last three or four years have shown us that women can be incredible protagonists as well as remarkably deep antagonists. FIFTY SHADES brought erotica out from behind plain covers.

In the publishing industry, each publisher or agent wants to discover the next best fill-in-the-blank, and usually it involves a cause or an underrepresented group. Then typically a myriad of up-and-coming writers shadow that great discovery because they want to be part of something bigger as well. Not just a story, but a piece of a cause.

Why can’t we just write a story that gives a reader a chance to escape?

I’m trying to say:

1) Not all black writers have to write about racism.
2) Not all LGBTQ authors have to write about their physical/sexual affiliation.
3) Not all YA authors have to write fantasy.
4) Not all female books have to have GIRL or WOMAN in their title or address feminism.
5) Not all erotica has to be about billionaires and lucky/unlucky girls.

In other words, why can’t you write the story you wish, about the topic you wish, that doesn’t represent your racial/ethnic/sexual/social/religious standing? Why can’t it just be a good idea?
Who wants to be the next JK Rowling or The Girl on the Train or Roxane Gay? Wouldn’t it be better to be the best you. . . writing the story that you need to tell?