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From the newsroom of the Washington Post.

Hey, it's Ross Helderman from the Post-Column. How are you?

He there, it's Simon from the Post.

Hey, stay fair and post-helping. Have you got a seat?

This is Post Reports. I am Martine Powers.

It's Tuesday, December 31st.

Today, how Black women authors have claimed their seat at the publishing table,

and remembering one of the pioneers who helped pave their way.

This week, we are revisiting some of our favorite stories from the past year.

And today, we're focusing on Black women writers, past and present.

I have smiled and nodded while well-meaning magazine editors advised me to tone down my allegories

and my anger. I didn't.

N.K. Jemisin is an author.

I've gritted my teeth while an established professional writer went on a 10-minute tirade at me,

and basically as a proxy for all Black people,

for mentioning under-representation in the sciences.

In 2018, Jemisin spoke at the Hugo Awards ceremony.

I've kept writing, even though my first novel, The Killing Moon, was initially rejected on the

assumption that only Black people would ever possibly want to read the work of a Black writer.

...