The Vision Behind Sunbird Press: Yann W. Tanoé’s Journey
Hello, I’m Yann W. Tanoé, founder of Sunbird Press, a small, diversity-led independent publishing house with a big mission, vision and dream. At Sunbird Press, diversity isn’t just a catchphrase—it’s the core of our mission. As someone of dual heritage, with a multicultural, third culture and multinational background, my sensitivity to the world is inherently global, multicultural and mixed. I operate in a world where I open my door to others who share similar sensitivities, inviting them to join me in a shared creative space.
My writing journey began at the age of twelve, sparked by my travels and the beautiful landscapes of my heritage, spanning from West Africa and the Middle East to France and the UK. Writing became a way to preserve the memories of these vibrant places and moments, as well as a tool to understand the world, especially during my family’s move to the UK where we settled to this day. A transition that in many ways forced me to redefine my identity both internally and externally.
In my early twenties, the desire to be published grew stronger. Despite numerous attempts to find a home for my narratives, traditional publishing houses deemed my stories—rich with hybrid worlds, concepts, wisdoms, and colours—unmarketable. As a multicultural person of colour, it was challenging to find a platform for my voice. In 2015, I decided to take matters into my own hands by self-publishing my first book, Childhood is Eternal. This milestone not only fulfilled a personal dream but also ignited a deeper passion for sharing diverse stories. By 2016, Sunbird Press was thriving, publishing books from other brilliant voices that echoed my multicultural experiences.
In 2017, we pivoted slightly and that’s when my love for collective publications blossomed with the launch of ‘Grey Areas’, our first journal dedicated to critical and creative perspectives. This was followed in 2019 by ‘Open Door’, our men’s magazine (born as a spin off Grey Areas 5’ all male edition) that has been one of our most successful publication to date. We are excited about our upcoming LGBTQ+ publication, ‘Their Bi_Dentity’, which will focus on individuals with fluid orientations, set to launch soon. Additionally, ‘The G.O. Mag’ (The Green Opportunity), celebrating the protagonists of ‘Green’ change, is slated for release in 2025. These publications, like all others at Sunbird Press, are committed to featuring and promoting voices from marginalised communities, encompassing multi-heritage, multinational, and multi-orientation perspectives.
My mission as a publisher is to create safe spaces where those at the crossroads of worlds can proudly share their narratives. I view my publications as more than just printed pages; they are identity spaces. Through my work, I aim to enrich my readers’ lives with new perspectives, sharpening their understanding of the world and empowering them to become agents of change. As authors, we have a responsibility to reflect society through our crafts. Our pens become tools for mass healing, shedding light on events and fostering reconciliation.
In today’s world, dominated by harsh statistics, biassed information, where nationalism is on the rise we are often forced to take a side. This desensitizes us to others’ realities. Through SunBird Press, I strive to open my readers’ hearts, appealing to their sense of reason and humanity. By asking the simple yet profound question, “How does this make you feel?” I believe literature and general press can unlock powerful responses and actions. Emotions are the precursors to action, and the more we connect with how the world makes us feel through diverse stories, the more we see ourselves as part of its fabric—its successes, failures, and improvements.
I hope that Sunbird Press can contribute to the emotional rehabilitation of our society, helping us all navigate these crucial transitions. Together, we can beat indifference and foster a more inclusive and empathetic world.
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