By Nadia Shah, Yumna Iqbal and Michelle Ye
In an industry that has often struggled to reflect the full diversity of our society, the need for fresh, inclusive perspectives in publishing has never been more pressing. Historically, many voices – especially those from BIPOC, working-class and disabled backgrounds – have been sidelined, leaving readers deprived of great diverse stories.
This is precisely where new initiatives like Akan Books, an imprint of HarperCollins, come in. Founded and led by author and diversity advocate June Sarpong OBE, Akan Books is dedicated to removing the barriers that have long hindered underrepresented voices from reaching mainstream audiences. Inspired by the West African folklore symbol Anansi the Spider, Akan Books is weaving a new narrative – one where storytelling celebrates heritage, resilience and creativity.
With a mission to find and nurture fresh talent from marginalised communities, Akan Books is more than just a publishing imprint; it's offering aspiring authors not only a platform but also the guidance they need to succeed. By providing resources, mentorship and career development, Akan Books aims to make publishing a space where everyone’s story can be told.
In the next few paragraphs, we’ll take a closer look at the books Akan Books will be publishing in 2025, the services they offer to their authors and how to submit your own writing. Get to know how this imprint is bringing new and underrepresented voices to the forefront of the reading world.
Overspill by Charlotte Paradise
This book tells the story of Sara, a twenty-five-year-old who’s struggling to accept herself for who she is. She seeks to find love, find someone who loves her truly for who she is, but fears she never will. This is until she meets Miles, someone who she hopes won’t inevitably hurt her.
Paradise’s debut novel includes themes of trauma, identity and self-love. Always wanting to be an author, she feared that her dream was at an end when she became disabled. But now, ten years on, she is releasing her book with Akan Books in April 2025.
Wild Moon Rising by Jenny Knight
Author Jenny Knight’s novel tells a coming-of-age story, but not at the age you typically think, focusing on life for a woman after divorce and post-menopause.
After moving to Hunter’s Moon, Claire thought life would be perfect. But her marriage has unexpectedly ended, her kids have left home and she now doesn’t feel the same enjoyment from work that she used to. Finding herself alone in a new place, Claire isn’t sure about who she is anymore or what she wants from life.
It wasn’t always like this, and she strives to change her story as she reclaims her identity as not just a mother or a wife, but as Claire. A tale of love, desire, identity and acceptance, this book is a must-read. Akan Books will be publishing it in June 2025.
Calling Una Marson by June Sarpong and Jennifer Obidike
This biography sheds light on Una Marson, the first Black and female broadcaster at the BBC. A trailblazer for Black women in the media, she has often gone unheard of in time. Not only was she a journalist, but also a poet and a strong political activist, fighting against the racist and patriarchal barriers that she faced in the industry.
To be published in February 2025, Sarpong and Obidike have spotlighted Marson and told the in depth, inspirational tale of her life as a Caribbean woman in the UK. For the first time, Marson's story will be fully told to all.
In addition to the publishing contracts that will bring about the books listed above, Akan Books provides educational resources on subjects such as navigating the publishing industry, finding a literary agent and career development. Budding writers will be taught the intricacies of contracts and the practical knowledge needed for marketing. They will also be supported as they search for a literary agent who understands their personal style and voice and is best suited to advocate for them in the industry. Lastly, Akan Books does more than publish a single book for their authors; further support in writing, publishing and marketing will also lay the foundation for long-term careers in the publishing industry and set future works up for success.
Akan Books continues to search for writers from underrepresented communities, and submissions can be sent via their website. For anyone looking to take their first step into publishing, Akan Books accepts fiction and non-fiction submissions from unagented writers over the age of eighteen who come from underrepresented groups. Submissions should include a summary of your book, three chapters from your book and a paragraph of any other relevant information.
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