Meet Our Pathway to Publishing Fellow: Crown Shepherd
Crown Shepherd is an author and reading advocate. Shepherd has dedicated her life to closing the illiteracy rate within the Black community. Shepherd believes that if you can read, you can learn; if you can learn, you can grow; and if you can grow, you can be anything!
What inspired you to pursue a career in writing, editing, and publishing?
I have wanted a career in writing since I was eight years old. Since then, I have been writing and creating stories, but it wasn’t until my thirties that I actually pursued a career in writing. Trying to instill good reading habits in my nephews, I noticed the lack of books that catered to Black boys. I wanted to change that for all Black boys. When the traditional world told me the only way I would publish Black Boy, Black Boy is if I changed the skin tone of all the characters to match a lighter skin tone, I was not willing to do that. So I looked into self-publishing; once in self-publishing, I noticed the lack of Black editors. I wanted to change that because editing a story is so important. Many Black writers skip this step because white editors either whitewash the story or are too timid to tell the author what needs to be changed without feeling like they are being offensive.
What does your life look like outside of Wise Ink’s P2P Fellowship? What exciting projects, hobbies, or endeavors are you working on these days?
I am currently working on the sister book to Black Boy, Black Boy, called Black Girl, Black Girl. I also have the first issue of Crown Comic in production. Both will be published in late summer. Fighting Injustice through Literature is back in full swing. We started our book giveaway last year during the George Floyd protests; we have begun our campaign back up after the death of Daunte Wright. With this year’s campaign, we have upped the stakes and are raising $30,000 to be able to hand out 3,000 books to Black boys around the state. We are also officially partnered with the George Floyd family to bring our book giveaway to the George Floyd Festival this year. I have also joined The Legacy of Dr. Josie R. Johnson Montessori School Board of Directors and the Minnesota Black Publishing Arts Collaborative. I am also managing two children’s book projects. Crown is busy, busy, busy!
What’s the best advice on editing you’ve ever received?
To take it slow and read every word like it’s the only word on the page.
Tell us what makes your approach to editing unique.
My approach is unique because I have been on the other end of the editing process. I know what it feels like to see red marks all over your manuscript. I understand the delicate relationship between an author and an editor. I know how to approach the situation as an author who is very sensitive about their work and as an editor who is only trying to make the manuscript the best it can be for the author and the readers.
There are many ways the publishing industry needs to change. What’s one thing industry leaders could do today to help better the publishing ecosystem?
Stop looking at books in the aspect of marketability and start looking at the soul of the book, the need of the book, the content of the book, and the creator of the book. What is the purpose, the mission, or the intended audience? They also need to give the creator complete creative control. They created the story, they envision the story, and they know how best to bring that story to life.
What was your favorite book when you were younger, and what is your favorite book today? How has your taste in books evolved with time?
My favorite book when I was younger was The Color Purple. That was the only book I had access to that was written by a Black author. My favorite book now is Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. My taste hasn’t changed much. I still love Black books, no matter the genre.
Get connected with Crown Shepherd:
Facebook: Crown Shepherd
Twitter: @CrownTheWriter
LinkedIn: Crown Shepherd
Location: Minneapolis, MN