Statement from Diverse Reader in Regard to Covid-19

Hello, everyone. I hope all who are reading this are doing well. I hope your loved ones are too. It's a very scary time and so many of us feel lost. The Diverse Reader family extends it's love and support during this time and want to make sure we're here for you.

We are trying our best to keep up with the schedule of reviews but alas we are a bit scattered.  I will reach out to authors, PA's, publishers, and promo companies with these issues. Some post dates may be later than promised and for that I apologize.

Something will post on the blog daily do not worry but it will be a readjustment of sorts. I thank you for your understanding. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me at diversereader@yahoo.com


Be safe, everyone <3

A Statement From Diverse Reader In Regard To Dreamspinner Press

I want to start this out by saying I hate having to write this at all. I despise this decision had to be made and I’m heartbroken by this entire situation.  As of January 2020, Diverse Reader is dissolving our relationship with Dreamspinner Press and their other publications: Harmony Ink Press and DSP Publications. We will not be reviewing, advertising, or promoting any books by this publisher. 

Through the many years I’ve run this blog I’ve made incredible friends, read outstanding books, interviewed hundreds of authors, I could go on and on. Dreamspinner Press was a publisher that was a beacon for the LGBTQA+ community and it was an honor to review and promote for them. But, 2019 was a very hard year and I watched as they spiraled. It broke my heart to see it happen, but I held on to hope they’d find their footing and make it okay. That’s the main reason it took so long to come to this decision. I wanted to believe in them.

I spent a lot of time talking with Dreamspinner authors and artists, both who were sticking it out and those who had left. I heard everyone and as I sat and beat my brain over everything, it was coming face to face with the authors and artists out thousands upon thousands of dollars that broke me.

It’s no secret I’m very vocal about things I’m passionate about. I’ve never faltered in my beliefs, and I’ve ALWAYS wanted to see people in this community thrive. I’ve never been in competition with anyone, I want us all to win, but sadly there were no winners here.

In the end it was tearing a piece of me away with every book we promoted knowing authors weren’t getting this money instead it was feeding something that, in my opinion, had become toxic. When you see an author cry because they don’t know what they’re going to do now and then you go and promote a Dreamspinner book you feel shitty. 

I’ve spoken to my reviewers as well, other blog owners, readers, you name it. This wasn’t a decision I came to lightly. I hoped beyond hope for a Christmas miracle, but this isn’t a fictional story, this is real. If things change and Dreamspinner Press makes things right for their authors, artists, and others not getting paid, I will reassess. 

We will keep our 2019 schedule and finish promoting and reviewing books we’ve already agreed to do up until December 31, 2019. 

I am sorry for those hurting. I’m sorry for those hurt by this statement. I’m sorry I even had to write it at all because this is something that never should have come to pass. 

Be kind to each other.