Please read this one! It's important. Thanks.

Left Unread Books

Michael LaBorn
• Jun 29

I know you are not new to the outrageous and unreasonable goals I set for this community. Nor are you new to us making them happen anyway. And fortunately for both of us, that is a pattern you can count on continuing for a very long time. Because here's the thing: this is not just a business to me. I absolutely believe we can, and will, have a noticeable and lasting impact on the publishing industry. But as we both know, having that kind of impact is going to take us CONSTANTLY pushing past new barriers and fighting for new ground.

The truth is that over 80% of traditionally published books are by white authors, despite all of the work we have collectively done to demand diversity from this industry. They do not want to create space at their table. And while we have to continue to push them to, a crucial part of creating actual change here is going to be creating spaces that are built for us and creating standards that prove our stories are needed and marketable.

Our success is about more than hitting lists and selling books. We are fighting to create space for Black and brown authors and to prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that publishing CAN BE DONE DIFFERENTLY.

If this was just about sales, we could rest in our success. We could just enjoy the accolades and watch the sales roll in. But I am in this for more than that. I want to tear shit up. I want to keep fighting to strengthen our position and grow our collective impact so that we can move beyond being a successful publisher and actually become a threat to the systems that have been keeping Black and brown authors on the outside for decades now.

So yes, I knew I was being unrealistic when I told y'all that I was going to try to grow our community by 500 paid subscribers this month. But I also knew it was something we needed to make happen. And it's still something we need to make happen.

And honestly, we're still pretty far from that goal.

Which means I have my work cut out for me over the next two days. And I would really love your help.

We have more than proven that we are up to the task of investing the time and energy it takes to ensure success for multiple projects at a time. The only thing holding us back from being able to invest in more projects is our budget. That is why I am pushing so hard to hit this subscriber goal. Because I think we are ready to do MORE. And our subscriptions make a huge difference in how much we can invest in.

We are ready to fight for more books, to change more authors lives and to make a bigger impact on the industry as a whole. And hitting this goal is the only way we get there.

Here is what I need from you

• If you can spare just $5, please upgrade to that first paid tier. There are almost 4,000 of us in this community. And no one believes in the work we are doing more than we do. So if you are able to, please upgrade and help us hit this goal today so that we can change more author's lives.

• I will be posting a lot over the next two days, trying to make sure more readers hear about what we are doing. This work is important and I think most readers agree. The issue is making sure that they hear about us and what we're doing. So make sure you are engaging with that content so that it gets pushed further on those social platforms. The more readers that hear the ask, the more people who meet it.

• If you make bookish content, please make a post today and tomorrow, encouraging your followers and mutuals to get involved. Tell them about your experience here and invite them to come help us invest in more authors and invest in change.

• Encourage the readers you are in direct relationship with to come join us. There is no more effective way to grow a movement than by reaching out to the people in your real life.

I know 400 subscribers in 48 hours is a bit insane.

I also know this community specializes in getting shit done.

So let's get shit done.

But either way! Whether we make a miracle happen this week or have to wait until 2028 for this next phase in our plans, I am so proud of the work we are doing together and so grateful for you being here.

Seriously. I could not be more grateful for every single person in this community.

We have changed authors lives. That's not just a thing we say. It's true. We've accomplished so much more than a brand new imprint should be able to. And that is because of you. THANK YOU.

I look forward to another year, decade and lifetime of winning unwinnable fights together.