In an industry where voices can be silenced by systematic barriers and entrenched interests, The Asian Book Eye stands as a beacon of accountability and transparency. Our programme is dedicated to the unflinching exposure of malpractices that lurk within the shadowy corners of the publishing world, now expanding with the launch of our monthly feature that casts our gaze deeper than ever before into the inequities of literary production and distribution.

From the unbalanced power dynamics between writers and publishers to the gatekeeping practices of literary agents, we shine a light on issues that have long remained unaddressed. The Asian Book Eye is committed to amplifying the voices that have been marginalised, overlooked, or deliberately silenced across the vast tapestry of Asian literary communities, from South Asian powerhouses to East Asian markets, from Southeast Asian emerging voices to Central Asian storytellers whose narratives rarely cross borders.

Our eyes penetrate the veneer of respectability that often masks discriminatory practices, exploitative contracts, and cultural appropriation within the literary ecosystem. We examine the entire chain of literary production—from manuscript to bookshelf—scrutinising each link for evidence of injustice or inequity. The publishing industry’s opaque operations have long enabled systemic biases to flourish unchecked, with Asian voices particularly vulnerable to marginalisation, exoticisation, and outright exclusion.

Through rigorous research and fearless reporting, our new monthly series will uncover the hidden mechanisms that perpetuate these imbalances. Each issue will focus on a specific aspect of the industry—royalty structures that disadvantage authors, translation rights that appropriate cultural content without proper compensation, marketing strategies that whitewash or orientalise Asian narratives, and distribution networks that prioritise Western perspectives over authentic Asian voices.

The Asian Book Eye is not merely a watchdog; we are advocates for positive change. By exposing problematic practices, we create space for dialogue and reform. Our work celebrates those publishers, agents, and publicists who champion diversity and ethical conduct, while calling to account those who fall short of the standards our literary communities deserve and demand.

Our programme brings together diverse perspectives united by a common purpose: to ensure that the world of literature truly reflects the richness of human experience and provides fair opportunities for all voices to be heard. Our team comprises veteran journalists with decades of experience in literary journalism, former publishing executives with insider knowledge of corporate decision-making, and authors who have navigated the treacherous waters of getting published as Asian writers.

The publishing landscape is shifting dramatically in the digital age, presenting both new opportunities and challenges for Asian writers and publishers. Traditional gatekeepers are being circumvented by self-publishing platforms and direct-to-reader models, yet many of these alternatives come with their own exploitative structures. Our watchful eyes will examine these emerging models critically, assessing whether they truly offer more equitable pathways for Asian creators or merely reproduce old hierarchies in new guises.

Through incisive reporting, analysis, and commentary, The Asian Book Eye offers readers and industry professionals alike an unvarnished look at the realities of publishing. We believe that a more just, transparent, and inclusive industry benefits everyone—writers, publishers, and readers alike. Our commitment to this vision drives every aspect of our work, from the stories we choose to spotlight to the recommendations we make for industry reform.

Each monthly feature will conclude with actionable recommendations for different stakeholders—guidelines for authors to protect their rights, best practices for publishers seeking to decolonise their catalogues, standards for literary agents to ensure fair representation, and criteria for readers to make more informed choices about the books they purchase and promote.

We recognise that exposure alone is insufficient; accountability requires sustained pressure and viable alternatives. Therefore, our observations will be accompanied by resources for community building among Asian writers, including forums for sharing experiences, legal resources for challenging unfair contracts, and platforms for connecting with ethical industry partners.

The Asian Book Eye also acknowledges the diversity within Asian literary communities—our gaze will be attentive to the specific challenges faced by different linguistic traditions, national publishing ecosystems, and cultural contexts. We will avoid homogenising “Asian literature” while identifying the common patterns of exclusion and exploitation that affect writers across the continent.

Our monthly features will not shy away from controversial topics—the complicity of Asian publishers in reproducing Western biases, the complex politics of translation and cultural representation, the economic pressures that lead Asian authors to modify their work for Western consumption, and the tensions between commercial viability and authentic expression that every writer must navigate.

Join us as we pull back the curtain on literary injustice and work towards a more equitable future for creative expression. The Asian Book Eye invites submissions from industry whistleblowers, anonymous tips from those witnessing malpractice, and testimonials from authors who have experienced discrimination or exploitation. Your stories guide our gaze and strengthen our collective stand against the inequities that have long defined publishing.

In illuminating these shadows, we aim not to discourage but to empower—to create a literary ecosystem where Asian voices flourish in their authentic diversity, where readers have access to the full spectrum of human creativity, and where the business of books serves the higher purpose of cultural exchange and understanding.

The Asian Book Eye will be a subscriber-only program, published on a monthly basis.

Sandra Clark