• How do I refer to Melanin in YA?
    • Please refer to Melanin in YA pronouncing the Y and A letters separately, as “YA” stands for “Young Adult” and is NOT pronounced “yah.” Melanin in YA has no acronym.
  • What is the official Melanin in YA logo?
    • The Melanin in YA logo is below and you do NOT have permission to edit, change, distort, rotate, recolor, or alter the logo in any way. You do not have permission to use the the name, logo, or likeness in any manner that implies sponsorship or endorsement by Melanin in YA without express written permission from Melanin in YA from info@melanininya.com.
  • I love your graphics. Who designed the artwork for Melanin in YA?
    • Alaysia Jordan did a tremendous job creating the inaugural look for Melanin in YA! Many thanks!
  • Is Melanin in YA free to use?
    • Melanin in YA is free to use. Melanin in YA is supported by Patreon monthly supporters, monthly Newsletter subscribers, one time Ko-fi supporters, Bookshop affiliate links as well as coming soon: advertisements and a merchandise online store. Melanin in YA funds are allocated towards maintaining the database for free use, maintaining the LLC, marketing, and giveaway purposes.
    • Patreon Patrons can support Melanin in YA’s efforts for as low as $1 a month but only at the $10 a month ARC Level do Patrons get updates on Melanin in YA in real time, a semimonthly newsletter, new directories exclusively first as they are being created in real time and months before they go public, hidden directories that may never go public, as well as their name on the Patrons page.
    • Newsletter Subscribers at $5 per month receive a semimonthly newsletter, new completed directories before they go public, as well as hidden directories that may never go public.
  • Are you going to expand to Children’s, Middle Grade or New Adult?
    • No. “YA” stands for Young Adult so that is what will be covered on Melanin in YA. Books for teenagers. Please utilize the More Resources Page to see what others are doing in various spaces. All inquiries regarding children’s, middle grade and adult books will be ignored.

  • I noticed an Adult Title on an Author’s Profile. I thought you only covered YA.
    • Good looking out! Melanin in YA does cover YA titles with Adult crossover but if it is shelved as Adult in the store, it does not belong on this website. Please shoot an email to melanininya@gmail.com with the title so that a correction can be made.

  • Will you expand to indie authors? Why or why not?
    • Not in the first year, no. Melanin in YA will circle back to this coverage at a later date. One person is creating this entire database. Please give Melanin in YA time to expand.

  • Will you expand to traditional publishing outside of the United States?
    • Yes and this will take quite some time since one person is doing this and is not well versed in those markets. Thank you for your patience.

  • Will you expand Melanin in YA to nonBlack POC creatives and industry professionals?
    • Melanin in YA would love to support everyone in the BIPOC community in the way that Melanin in YA does for the Black community, however this is not possible in the near future with only one person behind the helm. This is why it is so important to take advantage of the resources that have already been made available. Please visit the More Resources page for more.

  • I love what you’re doing! How can I help?
    • Thank you! Traditionally Published Black YA Authors, especially 2021 and 2022 Debut Authors, tell Melanin in YA what we can do FOR YOU. Email info@melanininya.com. Traditionally Published BIPOC Authors & Traditional Publishers, if you have any swag that you’d like to donate to Melanin in YA for our giveaways, please email info@melanininya.com. Visitors, please consider making a one time show of financial support on Ko-fi or becoming a monthly patron on Patreon for as little as $1 per month. Thanks so much!

  • How do I contact Melanin in YA for press inquiries?
    • Please email info@melanininya.com. Melanin in YA does not offer a phone number. Melanin in YA aims to respond to all emails within 48 hours.

  • How can I send you a book/ARC/bookmarks/bookplates/stickers/swag for giveaway?
    • Please email info@melanininya.com. Melanin in YA does not offer a phone number. Melanin in YA aims to respond to all emails within 48 hours.

  • How can I advertise/sponsor a post on Melanin in YA?
    • Please email info@melanininya.com. Melanin in YA does not offer a phone number. Melanin in YA aims to respond to all emails within 48 hours.
  • Am I able to set up an interview for research?
    • Yes, Melanin in YA does offer research consultations. Please email info@melanininya.com for rates.

  • How do I become a traditionally published author? How do I become a literary agent or other industry professional?
    • There are many paths to becoming any of the above. We highly recommend doing your own independent research and/or attending conferences/workshops geared toward your desired profession on your journey to becoming a published author, industry professional, etc…
    • For writers, the typical journey consists of you writing and revising a manuscript, querying a literary agent with the manuscript, accepting and offer of representation from a literary agent, polishing the manuscript with the literary agent, and the literary agent submitting your manuscript to editors at a publishing house to sell. Writers, please be aware that a legitimate literary agent or publisher will never ask you for money. A literary agent makes money when you make money and a publisher pays you, you do not ever pay them. Please be sure to utilize resources tools such as Writers Beware in your research.

  • X Person Listed on Melanin in YA has a Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. Why aren’t these accounts listed in their profile?
    • Melanin in YA does not link to private Twitter accounts, private Instagram accounts, or Facebook Friend Profiles (even if the author links to a Friend Profile). If a link is currently private, it was not private when the link was added so please respect those accounts, especially while they are locked. Melanin in YA also does not link to Instagram accounts of Editors or inactive social media accounts for bookstores. If the social media link is still missing, feel free to send an email.