Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lindsey G.. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Lindsey, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Much like other folks, I discovered my love of reading as a child. It really all started by reading with my mom – she got me my library card at the age of four, and everything took off from there. I grew up with tons of cult favorites – the Hunger Games, Twilight, etc., and while I really cherish those memories, those books were overwhelmingly white and straight. When I returned to reading some 10+ years later as an adult, the mainstream books l0oked the same – they were still overwhelmingly straight and white. I knew that wasn’t the reading journey I wanted to keep myself on, so I started reading more intentionally – and I cannot stress how much of a difference centering Black voices did for me as a Black woman. And that’s how I started finding my voice influencing – I wanted to share those books with other Black women looking for representation and community, because Black authors and Black book creators did so much for me – the least I can do is pay it forward.

I almost exclusively read and highlight books by Black + diverse authors – and mostly books by Black women, at that. The publishing industry heavily favors straight + white authors, and the books that most folks see when entering major retailers reflects as such. I want to build a community where Black folks, people of color, queer people, just – everyone that isn’t centered in mainstream media can find themselves. Everyone deserves to see themselves in a book – it’s truly that simple.

Lindsey, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Again, publishing is mostly white and straight – by far. As a Black woman who prioritizes books by Black authors, I keep an eye out for how traditional publishing markets, selects, and speaks about Black creatives. According to a well-known diversity report, Black authors make up around 5-6% of traditional publishing – that’s all. That number is infuriating – and hasn’t improved much over the years. I am but one person – I cannot stress this enough. But I believe in the power of community, which is what I try to build and be a part of and let me tell you, doing that with other Black folks that prioritize Black authors? It’s everything. I’ve gotten so many book recs, made so many friends, learned so much from other Black women in this space – and to see that many folks that look like me doing the same thing? It’s powerful. There’s such power in community.

I center stories written by Black folks because Black women aren’t just creatives, they’re advocates. These stories cherish Black women and Black folks; they talk about us with reverence, they pour light into us, you can really just feel the care and love for women and in this world, that is so, so needed and appreciated.

I would like to think – or at least my goal is, to focus on those that aren’t always highlighted on a mass scale elsewhere. So Black stories, sapphic stories, tales of love that focus on those with bigger bodies, folks with disabilities, other people of color, etc. Existing in a world that tries to make you seem “other” is a lot – and I believe that having representation, having community, can make such an impact.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

As someone who grew up in the early 2000s, and in a predominantly white area at that, I had to unlearn centering whiteness. I didn’t even realize that I was doing it – it can be sneaky that way. When I left reading as a teen, most of the “popular” books didn’t center folks that looked like me – so as an adult, I was at least a year into my reading journey before I realized that diversity was missing. So, I started looking for folks that looked like me – I found traditionally published books that I loved and still do love (looking at you Kennedy Ryan, Tia Williams, Beverly Jenkins, Tracey Deonn, Chencia Higgins, and N.E. Davenport) but honestly, the some of the best representation that I’ve ever found has been written by indie authors. I love them so much and try to highlight them as much as I can. Reading books by J.L. Seegars, Natasha Bishop, AE Valdez, Asia Monique, Danielle Allen, Deanna Grey, Christina C. Jones – did and does so much for how I see myself in this would. They do so much for how my friends see themselves in this world. And that means more than I could ever say.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

As far as growing my book accounts – I mean, there are pages with way and I mean WAY bigger followings than mine, haha. I have been growing though, and I’m really proud of that!!! I will say, for me the pride isn’t necessarily related to the number of followers from an analytics standpoint – I’m more so proud of the community that I’ve built. I’ve got roughly 30k followers across my platforms, and as someone who centers Black + diverse voices, that tells me that there’s 30k people who also feel the same.

Almost every time folks walk into major retailers, the same “popular/mainstream” books are pushed, with the same messaging. To see thousands of people that engage with not only account but other Black book creators, other brown creators, that center colorful stories? That means a lot to me. It means everything to me.

So, all in all, I think being authentic, having a good community, and being vocal helps my account. I’m very clear on who I am as a person and what type of books I highlight. I also believe that learning from other Black creatives helped me and will always help me find myself and my voice. I wouldn’t have my little corner of the book influencing world, if it wasn’t for Black women.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@booksandbanter
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_booksandbanter/
• Twitter: https://www.threads.net/@_booksandbanter

Image Credits

Lindsey G. (all photos taken by me)