When Jill Soloway created TOPPLE Productions she did it to showcase LGBTQ+ and POC voices with shows like “Transparent,” which continues to represent the nuanced storylines of people from all backgrounds instead of silencing them. The multimedia brand is a tool to, as Soloway exclaimed during her 2016 Emmy win, “topple the patriarchy!”
Now, Soloway’s company continues to transcend in popular culture with Amazon Publishing’s new imprint, TOPPLE Books. The company will allow gender non-conforming, women of color, lesbian, bisexual and queer writers the opportunity to have an outlet specifically designed to spotlight their unique voices in storytelling. The imprint will focus on publishing narrative fiction and nonfiction pieces. TOPPLE Books will be an extension of TOPPLE Productions as well as an imprint for Amazon Publishing.
Launched in 2009, Amazon Publishing has 15 imprints, each focusing on different genres. TOPPLE Books, curated by Jill Soloway, is now a part of the company’s publishing empire. Little A Editorial Director Carmen Johnson will work with Soloway to pen introductions and select books for publishing. Little A is Amazon Publishing’s literary fiction and nonfiction imprint. Both imprints seek to uplift marginalized voices as a part of Amazon’s mission together with Soloway.
Aside from writing for hit TV shows like “Six Feet Under” and “I Love Dick,” Soloway herself has published an erotic novella as a part of an anthology series, “Jodi K.,” as well as a memoir titled “Tiny Ladies in Shiny Pants,” both published in 2005.
Amazon announced on February 27 that “TOPPLE Books will use the power of literature and storytelling to ignite discussion and affect change.” Soloway has taken on the role of Editor-at-Large to “introduce readers to an important and diverse canon of authors and experiences.”
Amidst the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, Soloway understands the importance of representation. “We live in a complicated, messy world where every day we have to proactively re-center our own experiences by challenging privilege. With TOPPLE Books we’re looking for those undeniably compelling essential voices so often not heard,” Soloway said in a statement.
