"Levelling the Playing Field: How Waterstones and WHSmith Can Empower Independent Publishers and Neurodivergent Authors

Hey book lovers!

I wanted to chat about something that's been on my mind recently: the uphill battle neurodivergent authors like me face when we decide to work with smaller publishers. When I wrote my book, Faith’s Folly, I chose a small publishing house because they understood my unique needs, including my ADHD and autism. Unlike larger publishers, they provided me with the support and clear communication that I required.

Faith’s Folly features a protagonist with a disability, and it's so important to me to include underrepresented voices in literature. However, getting my book onto shelves in big UK retailers like Waterstones and WHSmith is a huge struggle due to financial constraints. Let's face it: These retailers are predominantly filled with books from the "Big Five" publishers who have the budgets to blast their titles into the spotlight.

Smaller publishers like mine just don’t have the same financial muscle. This makes it incredibly challenging for books from smaller presses to be seen and distributed widely. The core of the problem is the current retail system which heavily Favours those big players financially strong enough to engage with established distribution networks, sidelining the indie publishers who are bringing fresh and diverse stories to the table.

Beyond these financial hurdles, as a neurodivergent author, the task of self-promotion feels monumental. It’s not just about writing; it’s about networking, pitching, and pushing my boundaries daily, which is made even tougher by my ADHD and autism that make social interactions and multitasking particularly challenging.

Thankfully, my small publisher has been a rock, supporting and believing in the power of diverse narratives. But the financial barriers we face to get Faith’s Folly into major bookshops highlight a broader issue—the industry largely backs established voices and traditional narratives, which makes breaking through with new, diverse voices really tough.

So, what can be done? It’s time for big retailers like Waterstones and WHSmith to rethink and lower small publishers' financial and logistic hurdles. By making it easier and less costly for all books to be stocked, not only would indie authors benefit, but readers would also get a richer tapestry of stories.

I'm staying hopeful that the industry will evolve to better support unique voices, and smaller publishers, making sure that vital stories like those in Faith’s Folly find their way to readers who will cherish them. Here’s to more inclusivity on our bookshelves!

Until next time, keep turning the pages and supporting diverse literature!

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Faiths-Folly-Book-brand-crime-ebook/dp/B0D9YJDSQW