Speak Up SMP 📢

Hey everyone! I’ve been seeing a lot of questions pop up about the #SPEAKUPSMP movement, and I wanted to share my perspective and some more detailed info, especially for those looking to understand what "SMP" means in this context and how we can all contribute to meaningful change. First off, "SMP" refers to St. Martin's Press, a major publishing house. The boycott of St. Martin's Press isn't just a fleeting trend; it's a powerful statement from the reading community calling for accountability. This movement really took off after deeply concerning racist and Islamophobic statements were made by an employee. As readers, authors, and book lovers, we believe that publishing houses should be places of inclusivity and respect, and when that trust is broken, it's our collective responsibility to speak up. The core of the #SPEAKUPSMP movement revolves around three demands that we, as SOLIDARITY AMONGST READERS, are pushing for. These aren't unreasonable requests; they're about fostering a more equitable publishing landscape. The demands include: addressing and denouncing the harmful remarks publicly, taking concrete steps to mitigate harm caused by these statements, and actively committing to support Muslim, Arab, Palestinian, and BIPOC influencers, authors, and readers. It’s about building a space where everyone feels seen and valued, not marginalized. I know some people worry about boycotts harming authors, especially marginalized ones, and that's a valid concern! But the beauty of #SPEAKUPSMP is its thoughtful approach. The goal isn't to stop reading or supporting authors. In fact, we’re encouraged to still buy, borrow, & read them! The crucial difference is to DON'T PLATFORM RATE OR REVIEW ST. MARTIN'S PRESS BOOKS on social media, blogs, or review sites until these demands are met. This means you can still enjoy your books, but we collectively withhold the free promotional labor that publishers often rely on. Think about it: our reviews and posts are unpaid marketing for these companies. By pausing that for SMP, we’re sending a clear message. It can be a bit tricky to know which books fall under St. Martin's Press. They have several St. Martin's Press imprints like Wednesday Books and Minotaur Books, among others. A quick way to check is usually on the book's info page or even on the spine. If you’re promoting an upcoming release and realize it’s from SMP, you can still talk about it! Just find ways to hide a book cover or omit the publisher's name in your posts. The idea is to disassociate the content from the problematic publisher while still celebrating the author's work. This movement is really about readers for accountability. It’s about leveraging our collective power as consumers and promoters in the book world. If you want to dive deeper, I highly recommend checking out @readersforaccountability. They're a fantastic resource for more information, updates, and even a petition you can sign to add your voice. Every action, big or small, contributes to showing publishing houses that readers expect more. Join us in making the book community a truly inclusive and respectful place for everyone.