Over the last decade, we’ve seen an increase in the amount of books published by, for, and about Latinxs and our communities. However, the book publishing industry’s diversity problem remains. According to Lee & Low’s 2023 Diversity Baseline Survey, the publishing industry is still 72.5% white people, down from 76% in 2019 – not much has changed.
The industry is made up of approximately 4.6% Hispanic/Latinx folks, down from the 6% we saw in 2019. And to be honest with the current administration and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion departments folding or disappearing without a trace, I fear publishing could backslide on the progress it’s made.
While the numbers aren’t great, our community does have movers and shakers actively pushing to amplify and/or discover Latinx voices. So let’s give the Latinas and queer Latinxs in publishing their flowers, shouting out these leaders for all the work they’ve done over the last decade.
I’m proud to be one of the few Hondurans working in publishing, and just last year I secured the title of Associate Director at one of the big five publishing houses, which is unheard of for people of color. It’s not lost on me that there are several other book workers who have endured, holding the door open for newbies, and mentoring those who find the capacity to buckle down and stay in the industry. With that said, here is a list of powerful Latinas and queer Latinxs in publishing who you should know and celebrate:
- Toni Kirkpatrick, Board Chair, Latinx in Publishing, and Senior Editor Diversion Books
- Lizette Serrano, VP, Educational Marketing, Scholastic Trade
- Nancy Mercado, VP Associate Publisher, Dial Books for Young Readers & Putnam Books for Young Readers
- Stefanie Sanchez von Borstel, Co-Founder, Full Circle Literary
- Monica Rodriguez, Agent and Director Brand Management, Context Literary
- Tiffany Gonzalez, Senior Marketing Manager, Astra Publishing House
- Zakiya N. Jamal, Senior Marketing Manager, Atria
- Milena Brown, VP, Director of Marketing, Random House, Hogarth & Modern Library
- Vanessa Aguirre, Editor, St Martin’s Publishing Group & Writers Mentorship Director, Latinx in Publishing
- Michelle Herrera Mulligan, VP, Associate Publisher Primero Sueño Press
- Nadxieli Nieto, Editorial Director, Algonquin Books
- Joanna Cardenas, Executive Editor Kokila
- Jasmin Rubero, Senior Art Director, Kokila
- Pilar Garcia-Brown, Senior Editor, Dutton
- Maudee Genao, Marketing Manager, Atria Books
- Melanie Iglesias Pérez, Senior Editor, Atria Books
- Elizabeth Méndez Berry, Vice President and Executive Editor, One World
- Johanna Castillo, Senior Agent, Writers House
- Kiara Valdez, Editor, First Second
- Alex Borbolla, Senior Editor, Bloomsbury
- Irene Vázquez, Associate Editor, Levine Querido
- Kathleen Ortiz, Owner & Agent, KO Media Management
- Carolina Mancheno Ortiz, Senior Editor, HarperCollins Childrens
- Jessica Echeverria, Editorial Director, Lee & Low
- Norma Perez-Heranadez, Editor, Primero Sueño Press
- Angeline Rodriguez, Literary Agent, WME
- Dominique Jenkins, Assistant Director Author Events, Macmillan Publishers
- Marietta Zacker, Co-Owner, Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency
- Linda Camacho, Literary Agent, Gallt & Zacker
- Adriana Dominguez, Partner, Aevitas Creative Management
- Kurestin Armada, Agent, Root Literary
- Jennifer Rofé, Senior Agent, Andrea Brown Literary Agency
- Cristina Arreola, Associate Director of Publicity & Marketing, Sourcebooks
- Saritza Hernández, Agent, Andrea Brown Literary Agency
- Érica Martriano, Marketing, St Martin’s Press
- Isa Caban, Associate Director of Marketing, Tor Publishing Group
- Kelsey Marrujo, Director of Publicity, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group
- Nikki Garcia, Editor, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Davina A. Ferreira, Founder, Alegría Bilingual Publishing
- Aemilia Phillips, Literary Agent, Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency