Publishers Elizabeth and Minnie Embracing Diverse Narratives for Film and Television
Elizabeth and Minnie Publishing Embraces Diversity and Community in the Publishing Industry
Elizabeth and Minnie Publishing, an independent Black-female-owned publishing house, is on a mission to revitalize the entertainment industry by promoting diversity and fostering a more inclusive and community-driven environment, particularly for women and voices from Asian, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and MENA communities [1][3].
The company, co-founded by Tanya Sam and Jeanell English, is named after their grandmothers, Elizabeth and Minnie, symbolizing a legacy of untold women’s stories [1]. Each book printed carries the silent tribute of their grandmothers’ signatures, underscoring the importance of preserving these voices [1].
Elizabeth and Minnie Publishing aims to elevate unheard and diverse voices, transforming them into global media properties, including adaptations from page to screen [1]. They strive to change the publishing industry by focusing on community engagement rather than book sales and bestseller rankings [1][6].
The publishing house actively seeks submissions from underrepresented authors, particularly women, and supports those eager to see their stories published and adapted for screen media [1][5]. They plan to engage readers and communities through immersive events and book clubs, fostering a supportive ecosystem around diverse storytelling [1].
One of their debut titles, "No One Dies Yet," set in Ghana during the country’s "Year of Return," follows two gay Black American men and confronts modern questions of belonging, queerness in Africa, and the romanticized narratives of the African diaspora returning "home" [2]. Another upcoming title, "The Sun and All the Other Stars," set in Madrid, follows a Cuban American muralist [7].
In addition to publishing, Elizabeth and Minnie Publishing collaborates with entertainment partners to bring diverse stories to wider audiences. For instance, they collaborated with Universal Pictures for a special event in Atlanta, inviting children, especially those from underrepresented communities, to experience an outdoor adventure inspired by the story "The Wild Robot" [8].
The traditional publishing industry is often criticized for being risk-averse and favoring safe bets, sequels, celebrity memoirs, and proven intellectual property [9]. However, Elizabeth and Minnie Publishing aims to challenge this status quo, particularly by addressing the issue of the low representation of diverse authors in book-to-screen adaptations. In 2023, over 80% of such adaptations were written by white authors [10].
Looking ahead, the founders, Tanya Sam and Jeanell English, are planning more immersive trips and events through the Tanya Time Book Club [11]. They encourage interested authors to submit their manuscripts via their website and social media channels [12].
In conclusion, Elizabeth and Minnie Publishing’s mission and strategy combine honoring legacy, amplifying marginalized voices, leveraging multi-platform storytelling, and building community-driven inclusivity to transform the traditional publishing landscape and enhance representation across media [1][3].
- Elizabeth and Minnie Publishing aims to revitalize the entertainment industry by promoting diversity and fostering a more inclusive environment, particularly in the business of technology, lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, sports, and basketball.
- The company seeks to elevate unheard and diverse voices in the world of education-and-self-development, personal-growth, and career-development, transforming them into global media properties.
- They plan to engage readers and communities through immersive events and book clubs, fostering a supportive ecosystem around diverse storytelling in social-media and events.
- One of their upcoming titles, "The Sun and All the Other Stars," set in Madrid, follows a Cuban American muralist, delving into the realm of entertainment and art.
- Elizabeth and Minnie Publishing aims to challenge the traditional publishing industry's status quo, particularly by addressing the low representation of diverse authors in book-to-screen adaptations, reducing the dominance of books about books, sequels, celebrity memoirs, and proven intellectual property.
- The publishing house collaborates with entertainment partners to bring diverse stories to wider audiences, such as a special event in Atlanta with Universal Pictures, inviting children and underrepresented communities to engage in outdoor adventures inspired by the story "The Wild Robot."
- In 2023, over 80% of book-to-screen adaptations were written by white authors, a statistic that Elizabeth and Minnie Publishing aims to improve by embracing diversity.
- The founders, Tanya Sam and Jeanell English, encourage interested authors to submit their manuscripts via their website and social media channels, strengthening the connection between the publishing house and the community of authors.
- Looking ahead, Elizabeth and Minnie Publishing’s mission and strategy combine honoring legacy, amplifying marginalized voices, leveraging multi-platform storytelling, and building community-driven inclusivity to transform the traditional publishing landscape and enhance representation across media while supporting ncaa-basketball teams like the Cocoa Rocks or NBA franchises like the Atlanta Hawks.
