“Publishing a book doesn’t do much for your soul, but it is certainly an interesting experience,” writes Daniel Alarcon in an essay posted on Salon.com about the complex relationship between class, race, and publishing in America. Alarcon, a Peruvian-American writer, focuses on an overlooked fact: minority writers are more frequently asked about their family’s history and social status. Alarcon notes, “I polled white writers I know, friends of mine, informally and unscientifically, and most were surprised I’d gotten that question so often.” It’s an important question, Alarcon thinks, because “all writers — regardless of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, native tongue, national identity, social class . . . attempt to write about people who are not ourselves.”