Why the 23for23 Challenge is so Important

I’ve been following the posts for the #23for23 challenge on Instagram over the past month and a half(ish), and I’ve chosen to participate in the challenge myself.

Why? Because we need more stories by minority populations, and the only way more authors from these groups will be given opportunities and published is if we as readers can show with our dollars and our enthusiasm that we read and want more of these stories.

So what exactly is the #23 for23 challenge? This is the brainchild of romance authors Nikki Payne, Adriana Herrera, and Nisha Sharma, and was introduced in late August at Steamy Lit Con. The challenge is to read 23 romance novels written by BIPOC authors, and about BIPOC characters, in the remaining months of 2023 (Only romance readers would commit to reading so many books in so few months, am I right?!).

You can find out more information about the challenge, including some suggested reading lists, at 23for23.net. Fated Mates also did a recent podcast episode suggesting great books to read for the challenge.

I am all in favor of supporting this challenge as I fully believe we need more stories centered on BIPOC characters. Why? Because I fully believe in the power of story, and the written word in particular, to increase empathy. When we read a good book, we should be transported. We live through the characters and can better understand an experience or perspective that is not ours. As corny as I know this sounds, I 100% believe the world would be a better, and more compassionate place, if we read more about those who’s lived experiences differ from our own.

So, as an author, why don’t I write and lift up these stories myself? Well, the short answer is that as a white, cis gendered, heterosexual, middle-class woman, I don’t believe it’s my place to tell these stories as they are not my own. I came across a tweet recently (October 4th, 2023 to be exact) that explained this much better than I ever will be able to. @ElleOnWords wrote:

I don’t know who needs to hear this—apparently, a lot of y’all—but Black women are capable of telling our own stories. We don’t need anyone doing it for us, we got it covered. We just need resources, opportunities, and the same number of chances everyone else gets. Dassit.

People need to be able to tell their own stories, but we need to provide the space and opportunity for them to do able to so. That’s why the #23for23 challenge is so important. By lifting up these authors and showing how much we love and want their books, we are telling the publishing industry to give them that chance.

I do, and will continue to, include BIPOC characters in my books, but we need to allow stories to be told in their own voices, and I will not intrude on that space.

So, please join me in reading books by BIPOC authors in 2023 (and beyond!), even if you can’t commit to 23 books before the end of the year. Read these books, then share about them on your socials with the hashtag #23for23. And the maybe, slowly we will all become just a bit kinder to one another.