Third State Books: Centering Asian American Voices in Publishing
Cofounders Stephanie Lim and Charles Kim discuss their mission to provide authentic AAPI representation.
1Mission and Origins
Third State Books was established by Stephanie Lim and Charles Kim to bridge cultural gaps for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. As the only general-interest publisher in North America exclusively focused on AAPI stories, they aim to provide authentic narratives that reflect the diverse experiences of over 24 million Asian Americans today.
2Challenging Industry Norms
The founders argue that mainstream publishing often relies on stereotypical tropes, such as narratives centered solely on racial bullying. By accepting unsolicited queries across all genres, including romance and sci-fi, they bypass traditional gatekeepers to ensure that AAPI authors can share stories where their heritage is not their only defining feature.
3Data-Driven Storytelling
Third State collaborated with the Pew Research Center on the upcoming book Everyday Americans, based on an extensive survey of Asian Americans. By analyzing input from 84 distinct focus groups, the project aims to move beyond the monolithic view of Asian Americans, highlighting the nuanced realities of eighteen different ethnic backgrounds.
4Addressing Social Myths
The survey revealed that many Asian Americans remain unaware of the 'model minority' myth, a stereotype originating from the civil rights era. Lim notes that this lack of historical awareness stems from the absence of AAPI history in school curricula, reinforcing the publisher's commitment to educating readers through their diverse book list.
5True Crime Perspectives
The press features high-profile cases, such as the biography of L.A. Coroner Thomas Noguchi and the prosecution of the Golden State Killer. These books prioritize the perspectives of Asian American professionals, offering authorized accounts that challenge the industry's tendency to prioritize celebrity-focused narratives over the actual work of forensic experts.
6Community Impact
The publisher actively supports victims of violence, donating a portion of proceeds from their Golden State Killer book to Phyllis’s Garden. This nonprofit, named after a survivor, provides critical assistance to victims of sexual assault, demonstrating how Third State’s publishing projects serve as a tool for community healing and closure.
7Representation in Leadership
Kim highlights that acquiring an AAPI author does not automatically make a publisher an ally. He notes a persistent lack of AAPI representation at senior leadership levels within major publishing houses, which often results in inadequate marketing budgets and resources being allocated to books written by authors from the AAPI community.
8Expanding Children's Literature
Third State’s children's program aims to place AAPI characters in roles typically reserved for white protagonists, such as explorers or astronauts. By focusing on relatable, universal experiences, they hope to move past outdated stereotypes, ensuring that children of all backgrounds can see themselves as the heroes of their own stories.
9Focus on Neurodiversity
The publisher addresses neurodivergence in titles like Too Much Tony, written by Dr. Jenny Wang. Recognizing that most materials on this topic default to white children, Lim emphasizes the importance of providing resources that reflect the neurodiverse experiences of families from all backgrounds, helping children navigate their complex emotions.
10Educational Mandates
With 13 states now mandating the teaching of Asian American history as of July 2026, the demand for quality educational materials is rising. Third State’s Fighting to Belong! graphic novel series serves this need, providing accessible, comic-style narratives that cover AAPI history from the late 18th century to the present day.
11Strategic Partnerships
The press works closely with organizations like The Asian American Foundation and The Asian American Education Project to distribute their educational content. By reaching thousands of teachers across the country, they ensure that their books effectively support state content standards while telling the history of Asian Americans as American history.
12Future Publishing Goals
Looking ahead, Third State plans to release a hardcover compendium of their graphic novel series next year. By continuing to publish authentic stories and maintaining their open submission policy, they remain dedicated to their founding goal: telling their own stories, in their own way, to a broad and universal audience.