In recent decades, corporate consolidation of the book industry has shrunk the number of and the visions of publishing houses, concentrating power at the top of the remaining Big Five, prioritizing profitability over cultural contribution. Countering that contraction, the 2020 murder of George Floyd has triggered long-overdue inclusionary change in America, and in American book publishing.
’s trendy Fairfax District, listening intently as Waithe and Cho movingly shared the real-life meaning of collaborating across products and ethnicities, and amplifying underrepresented voices. “Growing up Korean American,” said Cho, who wore a traditional Korean dress, “I was hungry to see myself in the sci-fi books I loved. Never did I dream I’d be publishing a Korean space opera myself.” Cho smiled at Waithe. “This feels like a dream. The best dream of my life.