How to Write Black Characters: An Incomplete Guide

Can a White author write a Black character?

Salt & Sage Books gives a resounding yes! Not only can you, but you ought to! Diversity in our stories is so important! But you know better than to just dive headlong into creating a Black character. You want to do research, to listen to the voices of Black people around you, to really do your best to get it right.

The Incomplete Guide to Writing Black Characters can help. Written and collaborated by three of Salt & Sage's Black editors and sensitivity readers, this guide is a compilation of important things you should know before you sit down to write a Black character.

You care about writing diversely. You know how important it is to have accurate representation in your stories. You want to include characters whose experience is outside of yours. It's easy to find examples of writing gone wrong, but where do you start to get it right? 

Start right here with Salt & Sage's Incomplete Guide for How to Write a Black character. You'll find ***10 important things*** to consider when writing Black characters, full of links, explanations, and ideas for how to write your Black character authentically and with real respect.

By no means is this exhaustive, but it is a great place to start.

Disclaimer: No one book or perspective can reflect the diverse experiences of Black folx, nor should you use this as your only guide. We strongly encourage you to hire a sensitivity reader (or several!), to listen to Black voices, and to extensively read #ownvoices books by Black authors.