‘Black and Asian people not seen as readers’: Bernardine Evaristo condemns books industry

In foreword to report into diversity in publishing, Booker prize-winning author rails against ‘ridiculous’ beliefsBernardine Evaristo, the first black woman to win the Booker prize, has hit out at “ridiculous” and “misguided” beliefs in the publishing industry, where “black and Asian people are not considered to be a substantial readership, or to even be readers”.Evaristo, writing the foreword for the UK’s first academic study into diversity in trade fiction and publishing, released on Tuesday, said the report showed that the UK books industry “hasn’t changed fast enough to become more inclusive”. A key finding of the study was that writers of colour and their books are “either whitewashed or exoticised” to appeal to what UK publishing sees as its core audience of white, middle-class readers.Literature transcends all perceived differences and barriers. It’s partly the point of it Related: Black Writers’ Guild calls for sweeping change in UK publishing Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2020-06-23 11:06:09 UTC ]
News tagged with: #black woman #academic study #asian people #booker prize #trade fiction #core audience #guild calls #sweeping change #prize-winning author

Other Publishing stories related to: '‘Black and Asian people not seen as readers’: Bernardine Evaristo condemns books industry'


‘Black and Asian people not seen as readers’: Bernardine Evaristo condemns books industry

In foreword to report into diversity in publishing, Booker prize-winning author rails against ‘ridiculous’ beliefsBernardine Evaristo, the first black woman to win the Booker prize, has hit out at “ridiculous” and “misguided” beliefs in the publishing industry, where “black and Asian people are... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-06-23 11:06:09 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #black woman #academic study #asian people #booker prize #trade fiction #core audience #guild calls #sweeping change #prize-winning author


‘Everyone’s got a book in them’: boom in memoir industry as ordinary people record their stories

Companies providing ghostwritten autobiographies for people wanting to share histories have seen surge in trade since CovidBrian Lewis grew up on a tough council estate after arriving in Britain as part of the Windrush generation. At the age of eight he developed an interest in chess and joined... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-09-24 14:00:06 UTC ]
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Book industry figures condemn abuse of Clanchy critics in open letter

An open letter, signed by more than 150 figures from the book industry, has condemned the abuse suffered by Monisha Rajesh, Professor Sunny Singh and Chimene Suleyman following their criticisms of Kate Clanchy.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-11 17:31:27 UTC ]
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According to data, Black and Latinx Millennials are keeping the book industry alive.

Surprisingly, despite the heavy toll taken by the COVID-19 pandemic on brick and mortar bookstores (especially independent brick and mortar bookstores) nationwide, US book sales actually increased by 8 percent in 2020. What demographic is responsible for keeping the industry alive and thriving... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2021-02-23 19:04:39 UTC ]
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Bernardine Evaristo: the forgotten black British novels everyone should read

The Booker-winning novelist is relaunching a series of neglected novels by black British writers. She explains why they deserve a new readership In today’s culture, it’s as though black British literary history began relatively recently, and new books are published without reference to or... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2021-01-30 11:00:07 UTC ]
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52 Incredible Picture Book Biographies of Black People Creating and Leading

Check out wonderful picture book biographies of inspiring Black icons, including Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2020-10-26 10:33:00 UTC ]
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Bernardine Evaristo to UK Publishing: Hire More Diverse People

At the Frankfurt Book Fair conference, writer Bernardine Evaristo delivered a forceful keynote on the systemic bias against people of color in the UK publishing industry The post Bernardine Evaristo to UK Publishing: Hire More Diverse People appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-10-14 18:02:09 UTC ]
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Evaristo and Carty-Williams become first black authors to win top British Book awards

Candice Carty-Williams and Bernardine Evaristo take book of the year and author of the year categories, as publishers face criticism for treatment of black authorsCandice Carty-Williams and Bernardine Evaristo have become the first black authors to win the top prizes at the British Book awards,... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-06-29 17:45:42 UTC ]
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Black Lives Matter in the book industry

It’s early 2012 and a young boy is walking home when he is fatally shot in the back by a neighbourhood watch officer. The officer claims the boy – only seventeen at the time – was reaching for a gun. All the boy had on him was a packet of Skittles and a can of Arizona iced tea. Now it’s the... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-06-02 22:33:58 UTC ]
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Sally Rooney's Normal People tops UK book charts as readers fall for TV version

Costa award-winning love story of Connell and Marianne takes top slot from David Walliams’ bestselling children’s book SlimeSally Rooney’s Normal People has flown to the top of the UK’s book charts more than two years after it was published, thanks to the release of the TV adaptation starring... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-05-13 15:44:19 UTC ]
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Galley Beggar faces £40k black hole after The Book People enters administration

A Galley Beggar Press fundraiser has raised £20,000 within an hour of launching, as the indie faces a £40,000 "black hole" from The Book People’s administration status. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-12-17 20:00:20 UTC ]
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Bernardine Evaristo: 'These are unprecedented times for black female writers'

The first black woman to win the Booker prize argues that a revolution is sweeping through British publishing. But can it lead to lasting change?Chidera Eggerue, AKA The Slumflower, is a social media star, south-east London homegirl and feminist. She first came to prominence in 2017 when she... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2019-10-19 07:00:24 UTC ]
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‘Do black people read?’ What my years in publishing have taught me about diversity in books | Natalie Jerome

Malorie Blackman laments the lack of BAME children’s characters. I know – it’s a real battle to get writers of colour publishedMy daughter, like me, is of mixed heritage. She has wildly curly hair, as have I. When she was born four years ago I was given five copies of the same kids’ picture book... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2019-08-17 07:00:41 UTC ]
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People Who Use E-Readers Dive Far Deeper Into Books

Digital publishing is rapidly becoming a haven for struggling writers—but it turns out the format might hold similar potential for struggling readers too.     Continue reading at Wired

[ Wired | 2014-03-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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New data says less than 3 percent of children's books surveyed in 2013 were about black people

The Cooperative Children's Book Center of the University of Wisconsin – Madison found that of the new children's books they received at their center, less than 3 percent focused on black people and even fewer were by black authors (about 2 percent, according to the CCBC.) Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-03-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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WLT Book Buzz Episode #5 - Black Voices: 41 Books for Everyone of Any Age from Black Joy to History to Empowerment

News and Events Laura and Bunmi celebrate 41 books by Black authors. From Black joy to history to empowerment, the books on this list provide affirming messages for children and young adults with a special shout-out to NSK Neustadt Prize finalist Jason... Continue reading at World Literature Today

[ World Literature Today | 2022-02-24 19:13:40 UTC ]
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10 New December Book Club Picks, From #ReadWithMC to Subtle Asian Book Club

Here are the books being read by all of the book clubs this month, as well as how to take part in the discussion. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-12-08 11:36:00 UTC ]
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Publishing On and Off the Page: A Reading List of Books About Book People

Readers love to read about book people almost as much as writers love to write about them (I love to do both). My latest novel, On Fire Island, follows uber-talented young book editor, Julia Gold and literary wunderkind, Benjamin Morse, through their journeys on and off the page. Threaded in... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-05-26 08:52:35 UTC ]
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U.S. Book Show 2023: Meg Medina on Her 'Rebellious' Books for Young Readers

On May 24, Newbery Medalist and newly appointed National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Meg Medina sat down with the 'New York Times for Kids' editorial director Amber Williams to discuss her storied career, the 10th anniversary of 'Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass,' and her latest... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-05-26 04:00:00 UTC ]
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