Key panel takeaways:

Choose your publisher wisely

On choosing between large publishing houses, independent publishers, or self-publishing many pros and cons were shared, but, ultimately, the path you choose will be determined by your priorities. For example, do you want complete creative control over the editing and marketing process? Self-publishing may be the way to go. Want to be traditionally published, but have more flexibility with how decisions are made? Smaller, indie publishers might be the right fit for you. Large publishers are a valid option too, however depending on what you’re publishing they may not suit your needs. Balli and Sushi shared their perspective on this topic and how it impacted their publishing journey.

Sushi described her publishing experience with a large publisher as ‘good and uncomfortable at the same time,’ and explained that she didn’t approach a publisher, a publisher approached her after writing a newspaper column. Sushi has wondered whether she would have had a different experience with a smaller publisher.“I have a number of regrets,” she said frankly, “I wish I had given myself more time and had been more forceful and asserted more of what I wanted … But I think the journey, overall, was interesting.”

In contrast, Balli shared her experience with a smaller publisher, “My first novel, Inheritance, was completed while I was living in Melbourne. I approached Australian publishers, and a small publisher took a chance on it. I say, ‘took a chance’ because other publishers had viewed it as ‘too marginal’ of a story. I certainly didn’t feel that way. [My publisher] treated it with a lot of respect.”

Sushi said, “I wasn’t sure if the publisher was always tuned into the nuances of my story or what I was trying to get across. I appreciate that publishers want to run a profitable business, but for an author writing a memoir, the product is very personal. It’s your unique story and it’s often painful to write and publishers should make an effort to appreciate this.”

Daizy shared another perspective, “I think it’s better to self-publish and learn marketing, than to never have a book published, so don’t write-off this way of getting your work out there. Sometimes the industry catches up after they realise there’s a market for it.”

Complete your manuscript

Balli encourages emerging authors to complete draft manuscripts before approaching publishers.

She said, “[Some people think you] can approach a publisher with a couple of chapters, and if they want to publish it, then you go off and write the book. There’s a romantic notion out there that you can do that. No, you have to do the work […] write the whole book first, and then approach publishers.”

Balli said, “I suggest to new writers, even when you think you’re done and it’s perfect, take [your manuscript] to an editor that you will have to pay for. Take it to a structural editor too. Writers Victoria has a great manuscript appraisal service that you can use.”

“Beta readers can also be very helpful,” according to Daizy, who has been using beta-readers in her writing process, “they read your book before it’s published and review it for free, however, they don’t edit it.”

Gatekeeping still exists in publishing, like all industries, there’s still a lot of work left to do.

Balli discussed how finding literary agents is an example of this when trying following a more traditional publishing path. “The bigger publishers, like the Big Five, require a literary agent, so you have to actually get through the literary agents first.” She also noted the unique opportunity we have within the Australian publishing landscape “Australia has a lot of smaller publishers, which means that in a lot of cases, you can actually approach the publisher directly.”

Balli explained “Literary agents receive lots and lots of manuscripts. It’s very wise to make sure your manuscript is the best possible version it can be, so it’s essentially ready to be published. Of course, there’s an editing process [when working with a publisher] and it can be quite rigorous but [your manuscript] shouldn’t be a raw piece of writing. Publishers want to invest as little work as possible into it.”

The authors also acknowledged that gatekeeping can also show up after you have a book deal too, and it’s seen in the struggles authors face when business decisions are made that negatively impact how the writing is enjoyed by readers.

The magic of the South Asian Sisterhood

One of the greatest resources we have as South Asian women is the other girls and women who inspire and work with us to achieve our dreams. Alicia described a recent example of this sense of shared community when she contacted another South Asian creative about a piece she was writing, “I hadn’t even met her, we had briefly spoken on Instagram. I think it’s the power of the brown sisterhood. I thought ‘I’m just going to reach out and see if she’ll help a sister out.’ And more often than not, they are happy to help out.”

Alicia also offered advice for creatives wanting to expand their networks, “If there’s someone you look up to, who is South Asian, and is in a creative field you want to get involved in – reach out to them! Especially, when we’re working towards a common cause. It’s more important than ever to not tear each other down, there’s space for all of us. We don’t need to be the only brown girl in the room, the more the better.”

The event’s opening and closing remarks were made by Michelle Wade, Global Victoria’s Commissioner – South Asia, and Vicki Treadell, British High Commissioner to Australia and previously British Deputy Commissioner in Mumbai, respectively. They acknowledged the large presence the South Asian diaspora has in Australia and the world and spoke to the themes of allyship, diversity and the importance of celebrating the uniqueness of our identities and our stories.