Why Inclusion Is at the Heart of Our Books

Over the past year, I’ve been reflecting deeply on how we can continue to grow—not just as a company, but as a community rooted in truth, liberation, and representation.

That reflection has led to a powerful shift in how I’m approaching equity and inclusion across all of our projects. I’ve come to recognize that those of us with access, stability, or privilege—myself included—carry a responsibility to better understand the experiences of those from historically marginalized or underrepresented communities and to offer support wherever we can.

With that in mind, I’m honored to share that we’ve begun offering a limited number of partial scholarship spots in every multi-author book project.

These spots are specifically reserved for authors from communities whose voices have not always had the platforms they deserve

• BIPOC authors

• LGBTQIA+ voices

• Disabled and neurodivergent individuals

• System-impacted writers

This change reflects our ongoing commitment to cultivating truly inclusive and supportive spaces—where every author feels safe, seen, and celebrated in their vulnerability and brilliance.

A Message from Melisa Keenan, Founder of HOPE Publishing

Earlier this year, a client made the decision to step away from a project with us. At first, it stung—but what they offered me in that moment was actually a gift: perspective.

Their departure illuminated something I had been missing, and it opened a door for me to listen more deeply. Thanks to their courage—and the ongoing counsel of many of the beautiful authors and collaborators in the HOPE community—I realized I hadn’t been creating the level of inclusion I intended to. And I could be doing more.

So now, I am.

From this point forward, every multi-author book project we lead will include partial scholarship opportunities for storytellers from historically marginalized and underrepresented communities. These spaces are reserved for individuals whose voices haven’t always had access to traditional platforms—BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, neurodivergent, and system-impacted individuals, among others.

This isn’t just about accessibility.

It’s about alignment.

It’s about repairing and rebuilding trust.

And it’s about standing for the kind of spiritual, creative, and cultural leadership that reflects all of who we are.

If you’ve been part of our world already, you know how sacred our book spaces can be. This shift will only deepen the safety, the magic, and the depth of transformation that happens when truth is shared across difference.