RuPaul Launches Online Book Marketplace To Empower Underrepresented Authors

RuPaul, the iconic multifaceted celebrity, has embarked on an innovative venture with the launch of Allstora, an online book marketplace. 

Allstora

This 100% author-owned platform empowers and showcases storytellers from underrepresented communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals, women, and people of color.

Allstora, co-founded by RuPaul alongside bestselling author Eric Cervini and his partner, Adam Powell, hosts an impressive selection of over 10 million titles. 

Before Allstora, Cervini, and Powell were involved with ShopQueer.co, a precursor to this new initiative.

As the chief creative officer, RuPaul will also spearhead RuPaul’s Book Club, focusing on literature from diverse authors.

“Reading is fundamental, and we all benefit from stories that give us a different perspective or take us to another world,” said RuPaul in a statement.

“I’m passionate about uplifting the voices of underrepresented groups, and I’m proud of what Allstora offers to both authors and readers: a community.”

Supporting authors and communities

The platform introduces an equitable profit-split model for authors and offers 30-50% discounts on all books through a wholesale membership model.

“As an author, I understand firsthand how impossible it feels to survive in the literary world, and we hope to create an industry-wide shift in how we purchase books and compensate authors,” said Cervini.

“Allstora’s mission is to empower authors and cultivate communities through the power of literature, made accessible to all, and we’re thrilled to have the legendary RuPaul by our side.”

Allstora’s philanthropic arm, the Rainbow Book Bus, will also partner with local LGBTQ organizations to distribute diverse titles to communities with limited book access or are facing book bans.