For me, the use of they/them signals that I am a non-binary person. That means I am neither a man nor a woman, but something completely different. The way our society is formed now, that can be confusing. Don’t worry—it’s confusing for me too sometimes. However, there are some easy things to remember about interacting with someone like me, and before Pride Month ends, I’d like to provide a little guide for how to do so!

While some people object to this identity and pronoun usage, I find most people are simply nervous about getting it wrong. 

It’s understandable—everyone hates to be embarrassed or run the risk of hurting someone. However, part of why I enjoy working with entrepreneurs especially is that we consider ourselves a pioneering, adventurous bunch. If it helps, think of it as learning a brand new skill!

Note: If you’ve got ideological issues surrounding transgender and non-binary folks, please skip to the heading “The Political Elephant in the Room” first for a discussion of my boundaries.

They/Them Pronouns and Grammar

One of the biggest objections I see to using they/them pronouns is that it’s grammatically incorrect. As a writer and publishing services provider, I totally understand why folks may be concerned. Teachers, style guides, and editors have all tried to obliterate the inclination for us to use singular they throughout our lives (although I’d challenge you to examine the way you speak and take note of how many times you unconsciously use it).

The truth is, language changes over time! Style guides, which set up writing rules for different industries and publications, are all currently examining their use of singular “they” and often changing their own approaches. For example, the APA style guide, the Chicago Manual of Style, MLA guidelines, and Merriam-Webster have approved singular they usage in the past few years. If that isn’t convincing enough, I’m not sure what is.

So the million dollar question—how do you use it? Something a little silly that I have found helps some people is telling them to think of me as three raccoons in a trench coat. You’d refer to me the same way you’d refer to multiple people…well, entities. Examples:

Instead of: She says she will have that draft to you by Friday.
Use: They say they will have that draft to you by Friday.

Instead of: He is attending this meeting.
Say: They are attending this meeting.

That’s right. It’s exactly the same sentence construction you’d use to refer to a group of people. I definitely can’t speak for other non-binary and gender non-conforming people, but I’m perfectly happy with my clients (respectfully) thinking of me as a cluster of woodland creatures if it helps!

Please note—it can be a good allyship move for people, even people who identify as the gender they were assigned at birth, to put their pronouns in their bios. However, if you are a manager, I’d discourage you from mandating that your employees do so. You may have some who are currently unsure of their gender identity and are not comfortable with discussing it publicly. “Outing” someone—aka., revealing someone’s gender or sexuality against their will—is considered a form of violence, as it can unfortunately lead to harmful consequences in many cases.

Address a Group with More Gender Inclusive Language

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, brothers and sisters, you guys… 

We have been trained to use binary gender language in all aspects of our lives. Making your language inclusive is a matter of practice and training, and it doesn’t have to be too big of a headache. Some things you can try instead when addressing a group are:

• Folks
• Friends
• Distinguished guests
• Y’all (I think this is really fun to say)
• [Company] Employees
• [A fun nickname for the folks in the group you’re addressing—be creative!]

Also, referring to a stranger as a “person” (even if they look like a man or a woman) is a great habit. You’re less likely to make a faux pas, and if you happen to be addressing a non-binary or gender non-conforming person, it will probably make them like you more. A lot of us are used to being left out, so it’s nice to be included!

Instead of: The woman in the second row.
Say: The person in the second row [+ a distinguishing feature (red scarf, Nirvana t-shirt, etc.)].

Remember Everyone Has a Different Identity

Not every person who uses they/them pronouns calls themselves non-binary. It’s best not to make assumptions, and probably best not to ask questions unless the information is volunteered.

There also might be an even more complicated dimension where a person lists she/they or he/they in their bio. In those cases, you may ask the simple question, “Do you prefer she or they?” or “Do you prefer he or they?” Respect their answer and do your best to honor it.

If you get someone’s pronoun wrong (called “misgendering”), don’t panic. You don’t need to make a show of apologizing, in fact making a big deal out of it can make things awkward for everyone. Instead, just correct yourself and move on.

Instead of: I gave her…oh, sorry, oh my god I’m so sorry, them…I gave them the link to the folder.
Say: I gave her—them the link to the folder.

We have a lifetime of using exclusively she and he under our belts. You’ll mess up. I still mess up! Unless the person asks for an apology, self-correct and keep moving. If they do ask for an apology, let them have it—it costs you nothing.

Don’t Pressure an LGBT+ Person for Answers

My clients are welcome to ask me questions about non-binary, trans, and gender non-conforming identities and language usage. Not all LGBT+ folks are comfortable talking about their identities, and Black, Indigenous, and other people of color may be especially tired of having to field such questions. Often, questions about identity can feel like the person is being asked to defend their own existence. Since there are a lot of people who don’t like trans or non-binary folks, that can be pretty scary.

I invite and encourage my clients to ask me questions before you approach someone who hasn’t given such an invitation.

However, the best way to go is to do some reading on your own first! Here are some recommendations:

• In Transit: Being Non-Binary in a World of Dichotomies by Dianna E. Anderson
  This is an accessible intro book to Queer Theory (note: not all LGBT+ folks are comfortable with this term), which I really enjoyed. The last chapter in particular has helpful tips for people who want to be supportive!
• A Guide to Gender Identity Terms by Laura Wamsley (from NPR)
  NPR compiled this glossary with help from different LGBT+ organizations. I don’t agree with every single definition on this list, but such is the nature of the conversation.

I’ll be adding more resources in the future!

The Political Elephant in the Room

Unfortunately, the non-binary identity is wrapped up in a culture war that’s taking place right now as part of the transgender community. Things like LGBT+ book bans, attacks on transgender athletes, restrictions against trans medical care, and other human rights violations against trans people do not fly with me. As a queer person and someone who has counseled numerous sexual assault survivors, the incorrect and weaponized use of the word “groomer” to refer to queer people also, frankly, disgusts me.

It would be nice if I could just be “normal” and not have to talk about politics, but as a writer, a queer person, and a human being, it’s important I be honest. These issues are much, much more important than whether or not someone messes up my pronouns.

If you’re of the mind that non-binary or other transgender people are inherently degenerates, liars, or don’t deserve the same rights as everyone else, please do not engage with me. I’ve found that such strong negative opinions are impossible to change with a single conversation, especially online, and the experience ends in very bad feelings. The work I do as a writer often requires personal discussions, so if you hold these opinions, we won’t be a good fit for one another. We don’t have to agree on every single little thing, but if you come at me with a bad faith argument, I will not fight with you. I will simply block you. We both have better things to do.

In conclusion…

More often than outright hostility, I find people just aren’t sure what to do with non-binary folks and are afraid to be chastised for making mistakes. Some LGBT+ folks may act a little pricklier from being burned in the past, or because they’re afraid to be harassed, but do your best to respect them the way you would any other colleague. You can keep growing and learning. If you mess up, you mess up, and you can try to do better next time.

Everyone has different ways of relating to their own identity, so my opinions aren’t the final word by any means. However, if you as my client have good faith questions you want to ask, I’m happy to help!

–

Photo by Pete Nuij on Unsplash

The post How to Work with Someone with They/Them Pronouns first appeared on Hybrid Pub Scout.

The post How to Work with Someone with They/Them Pronouns appeared first on Hybrid Pub Scout.

Many publishing professionals care deeply about the health of society and the planet. Our industry faces many issues, but one that often feels too big to conquer is book publishing’s contribution to the climate crisis. Overprinting, shipping inefficiencies, deforestation—all this and more are daily realities of making and selling books.

It forces us to ask the same question we ask about so many other shortcomings: how can we make this better?

In an attempt to provide answers, especially for small to medium independent publishers, Portland State University’s publishing program partnered with PubWest and the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) to study how book publishing production and distribution can be made more sustainable. Rachel Done Cubillas, a graduate of the PSU program and one of the paper’s authors, talks with us about the study’s findings about how we can change the status quo and do right by the environment.

The study in question was authored by Rachel Done, Rebecca Gordon, Megan Jessop, Stephanie Johnson Lawson, Alexa Schmidt, Rylee Warner, Glorimar Del Rio, Sarah Bradley, Alexandra Burns, Ivory Fields, Alexander Halbrook, Jill Bowen, Katherine Flitsch, Amanda Hines, Megan Vader Bongolan, Alexandra Magel, and Frances Fragela. It was supervised by Dr. Rachel Noorda.

The episode addresses the following research questions:

1. What needs to be done to make book printing truly carbon neutral by 2050?
2. What does efficient and cost-effective delivery of print books look like going forward?
3. What chinks in the book industry’s armor were most exposed due to the pandemic?
4. What’s stopping the industry from embracing POD as the preferred means for printing non-illustrated, black-and-white trade books?
5. How can the book industry decrease the returns rate for books sold into trade channels from an average of 30% to an average of 15% or less?

Guest Bio

Rachel Done Cubillas (they/them) is currently a freelancing publishing professional, with focuses on writing, design, marketing, and project management—basically a little bit of everything. They are set to graduate with their MA in Book Publishing and Comics Studies Certificate from PSU this coming June. They love exploring new topics and skills, as well as spending time with their menagerie of a family.

Relevant Links:

• Transcript for Episode 67: Sustainable Publishing Distribution with Rachel Done
• Read the Publishing Distribution Practices research findings
• Follow Rachel on Twitter @RachelDC06
• Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn
• Rachel’s Website and Portfolio

The post Episode 67: Sustainable Publishing Distribution with Rachel Done first appeared on Hybrid Pub Scout.

The post Episode 67: Sustainable Publishing Distribution with Rachel Done appeared first on Hybrid Pub Scout.

Publishing methods, opportunities, and battle fronts have multiplied more over the last twenty years than ever before. Author and researcher John B. Thompson walks us through the archipelago of these issues in Book Wars: The Digital Revolution in Publishing (2021, Polity Press). It examines the anxieties, realities, and shifting sands of publishing in the 2000s and 2010s, focusing heavily on the results of technological leaps and the tech companies who have developed along with them.

“The publishing ecosystem is now more complex than ever and no single model of communication flows could adequately capture the multiplicity of systems that are now in play…”

Boy is it! In Book Wars, we get a starting point to find out just how complex it can be.

The Author and His Research Methods

Author, emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Cambridge, and emeritus fellow at Jesus College, Cambridge, John B. Thompson, went at this project with all the gusto of your favorite TV detective mapping and solving a massive conspiracy. Over the course of researching and writing this book, Thompson conducted 180 interviews with various publishing and tech professionals between 2013 and 2018. That’s in addition to the over 200 he conducted previously for his 2013 book Merchants of Culture: The Publishing Business in the Twenty-First Century. He also pored over and analyzed massive amounts of data to chart and demonstrate his points.

In this book, Thompson sought to address an idea that is at once straightforward and endlessly complex: what was the impact of the digital revolution on Anglo-American trade publishing? To put a finer point on it, what happens when the oldest of our media industries collides with the greatest technological revolution of our time?

Spoiler alert! Despite how technology has generated multiple sources of entertainment including more visual programming we could possibly watch in a single lifetime, the book is not sleeping with the fishes. It’s alive and well, and has increased in form and number at a rate comparable to cellular mitosis. Below are a few of the major topics and transformations that Book Wars covers.

Tech Companies’ and Traditional Publishers’ Struggle for Dominance

Major tech players, the most notable being Amazon, have changed the way people peruse and purchase books. Before the digital revolution, publishers never could have predicted how influential a single online retailer would be, or how Google would make it their mission to scan and post whole sections of books in order to increase their search engine traffic. The ascent of these two companies and their impact on traditional publishing alone each make up one chapter.

Book Wars goes into some literal court battles between publishers and tech companies. In particular, it wades into the conflict mentioned above between the Google Library Project and the American Association of Publishers (AAP). It also explains the lawsuit involving Amazon, alleging that Apple Books and five major publishers engaged in price fixing. An interesting angle I learned was how Amazon is a monopsony rather than a monopoly when it comes to the book industry. The word means a single buyer has singular sway over a market, and Amazon’s role as a buyer rather than a seller often protects it from antitrust lawsuits.

Data Collection: A Major Game Changer

To quote mathematician Clive Humby, “Data is the new oil,” and data collection has been pivotal for not just retailer success, but for publishers and book industry startups as well. Thompson calls data collection “information capital” and points out how easily it can be converted into “economic capital” (aka profits). This fact makes it so the major retailers, who have access to all kinds of data on buyer behavior, are able to exploit major advantages.

While Amazon is wealthy with “new oil”, smaller, nontraditional publishing startups have also benefited from data collection and used it internally to grow business. Wattpad, who features heavily in “Chapter 11: Storytelling in Social Media,” built their business using data from fanfiction writers and the people who followed and interacted with their serialized fiction. The company was able to measure what types of content were most engaging to users, then use that information to nurture writers into creating original content for the platform.

Thompson also makes a very interesting point about an unintended consequence on user data and Amazon’s algorithm. Specifically, he discusses the diversity of recommendations that other bookshops are able to offer, rather than the predictability and sameness of what an algorithm delivers to readers.

The Growing Influence of the Reader

In the digital age, readers are stronger and more vocal than ever. While, yes, that means lots of data and information is harvested and used to influence them, it also means they themselves have a huge influence on which books see the light of day. This book shows you the many ways in which that’s true, including when it comes to visibility and book sales as well as being able to publish in the first place.

“Chapter 8: Crowdfunding Books,” goes into the advantages and limitations of crowdfunding and highlights companies who focus specifically on using these fundraising methods for book publishing. Thompson emphasizes a point we’ve explored on the show, which is the fact that both self-publishers and traditional publishers can use crowdfunding not just to get their own books out, but to gauge interest and predict whether a book will sell. Thompson uses the story of former Hybrid Pub Scout guest Margot Atwell to demonstrate just what the process of crowdfunding a book looks like (a pretty great illustration, if we do say so ourselves).

Listen to our interview with Margot Atwell of Kickstarter.

Disrupted Publishing Workflows and Pricing Experiments

What would an examination of the digital revolution in book publishing be without an exploration of self-publishing options? The history of Kindle Direct Publishing is, of course, widely covered, but it is also balanced with input from Smashwords founder Mark Coker. He offers some comments on the trajectory of self-published authors on Amazon, which we’ve had guests corroborate on the show from time to time as well.

“If Amazon owns the soil, the land, the access to the customers and if they own you, if 100 percent of your income is dependent on Amazon’s good graces, you have lost your independence and control: you’re a tenant farmer.”

With all the new ways of conveying content to readers, companies have been experimenting with pricing models and workflows to adapt to a changing landscape. Thompson gets into success stories and stories of companies that tried and failed to make their businesses profitable. Content itself, whether it’s purchased backlists, self-published authors’ works, or serialized fiction, is expensive and can be challenging for people trying to profit from (not to mention justify second rounds of venture capital).

Listen to our discussion with self-published author Brianne Marie Robinson.

Conclusion

For people like us who are exploring the publishing frontier, Thompson has created a massive atlas to help us navigate this complicated terrain. I would venture to say that the book isn’t closed yet, especially since we had not yet been struck by the COVID-19 pandemic when the book went to press. Book Wars is an important tool and framework for understanding the forces that have shaped publishing as we know it since the first emergence of the e-book, and will help us contextualize what is waiting around the corner.

Buy a copy of Book Wars: The Digital Revolution in Publishing.

The post Book Wars—A Full-Scale Investigation of the Effects of Tech on Publishing first appeared on Hybrid Pub Scout.

The post Book Wars—A Full-Scale Investigation of the Effects of Tech on Publishing appeared first on Hybrid Pub Scout.