#publishingpaidme spreadsheet

#PublishingPaidMe—and the accompanying self-reported author advance spreadsheet—was created by L.L. McKinney and Tochi Onyebuchi. It has played a critical role in unveiling the systemic inequities present in the publishing industry, particularly the racial pay gap. This transparency led to many needed conversations about inequality in the publishing industry, especially concerning how Black authors are often paid significantly less than their white counterparts for similar work. The hashtag and the discussions it sparked have been important in pushing the industry toward more equitable practices.

The movement has shed light on the industry's often opaque payment practices, thereby demanding a higher level of accountability from publishers. It has been a catalyst for change, pushing publishers to reevaluate their practices and creating a space for dialogue around equitable compensation for authors of all backgrounds. And while great work has been done, there is still so much more we need to do.

I encourage all writers to familiarize themselves with the important work #publishingpaidme has done and to work hard to support the voices of authors from marginalized communities.

Here are some other great nonprofits & resources I would recommend checking out: