What the Church Needs to Know About the Gaps in Christian Publishing | Deborah Sáenz
Who gets to determine the stories, wisdom, and perspectives that shape the church? And what responsibility do readers have as they make their choices of what Christian books to read?
In this episode of Hear Women, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young welcomes Deborah Sáenz, Acquisitions and Development Editor at NavPress, to pull back the curtains on Christian publishing and the vital question of whose voices are heard. With her experience in both marketing and editorial roles, Sáenz reveals the hidden decisions that influence which authors and perspectives end up on bookstore shelves, and why so many stories remain untold.
Together, Gilmore-Young and Sáenz discuss the evolution and continuing challenges to diversity within the publishing world, reflecting on shifting industry landscapes, the problem of representation among staff and authors, and the systemic hurdles that keep many writers on the margins. You’ll hear practical advice for aspiring BIPOC authors facing discouragement, insights into how the industry can create more opportunity for underrepresented writers, and a call for church communities to read stories that showcase a wide variety of life experiences and backgrounds.
This conversation challenges listeners to consider their role in elevating needed voices and why the future of Christian formation depends on it.
This episode highlights the following themes:
- How publishing professionals shape which stories reach the church and which are left out
- Why representation among editors, marketers, and decision-makers matters for diversity
- Why the church benefits from reading beyond its comfort zone
Links from this episode:
- Learn more about Deborah Sáenz
- Read Christ in the Abyss by Jean Neely
- Learn more about the Every Voice Now initiative at IVP
- Read the transcript here
- Learn more about Hear Women
- Learn more about your hosts, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, Nijay Gupta, and Tara Beth Leach
- Read Redeemer by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young
- Read Tell Her Story by Nijay Gupta
- Read Emboldened by Tara Beth Leach
SPECIAL OFFER | Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPHEAR40 for 40% off and free shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.
SPONSOR | Hear Women is sponsored by Northern Seminary, where thousands of women have been equipped to serve as pastors, practitioners, church planters, and ministry leaders across the globe. Explore your calling and visit seminary.edu to learn more.
Credits:
✅ Producers: Christine Pelliccio Melo, Helen Lee, and Travis Albritton
✅ Research Assistants: Abby Lee and Jazmin Rose
✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts
✅ Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne
✅ Podcast Art: Kate Lillard
✅ Theme Song: "Organica" by Artax
Disclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.
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