‘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

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How to promote books by black authors

As a black publicist with more than seven years in culture and entertainment publicity, I have sat in many all-white creative meetings where the genuine answer to making a campaign diverse was to give Stormzy a call (before that it was Tinie Tempah).  If you are serious about diversity and... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-07-24 03:36:15 UTC ]
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UK Book Industry: Publishers Call for Aid, Reporting 2019’s Success

Exports in 2019 rose 3.3 percent over those of 2018 for the UK market, as revealed in today's report on last year's pre-pandemic performance. The post UK Book Industry: Publishers Call for Aid, Reporting 2019’s Success appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-07-22 13:29:07 UTC ]
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Bonnier Books UK to release 500 Words: Black Lives Matter

Bonnier Books UK is releasing 500 Words: Black Lives Matter, a book featuring short stories children have submitted to a Chris Evans-devised Virgin Radio competition this month. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-07-16 10:43:26 UTC ]
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Coronavirus Impact: Nielsen Book India on Readers in the Pandemic

Nielsen Book's extensive survey of India's consumer behavior in and after lockdowns reveals shifts in the time spent reading–and listening–for publishers. The post Coronavirus Impact: Nielsen Book India on Readers in the Pandemic appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-07-15 14:45:54 UTC ]
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What black writers think about the UK's publishing industry – a survey

Limited promotion and marketing budgets reinforce false ideas about how well diverse books and writers will sell. This leads to a negative cycle for black, Asian and minority ethnic writers. Continue reading at The Conversation

[ The Conversation | 2020-07-15 09:57:53 UTC ]
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'Know your audience and be direct,' Black Girls Book Club founders urge M&P delegates

Marketers and publicists have been encouraged to know their audience and be "direct" and "transparent" in their approach, in a keynote at The Bookseller's marketing and publicity virtual conference. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-07-08 06:40:23 UTC ]
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The book industry needs to take responsibility for transforming itself

It would have been hard to have missed last week’s digital launch of Rethinking ‘Diversity’ in Publishing. The report - the first of its kind on diversity in trade fiction - not only landed noisily, but put the publishing ecosystem in the dock. So what's next? Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-07-03 09:58:58 UTC ]
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I'm the first black author to win book of the year. I'm proud, but not completely happy

Instead of celebrating myself, I’m going to celebrate the books by black authors that came before meI have a funny thing about winning. I find it overwhelming. I don’t know how to cope or act when things are meant to be “good”. What do I do? Should I be happy? What is that? How many ways can I... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-07-02 07:00:46 UTC ]
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Evaristo, Maiklem and Anderson win Indie Book Awards 2020

This year's top summer reads according to indie booksellers have been revealed, with Bernardine Evaristo, Lara Maiklem, Sophie Anderson and Chris Haughton named as winners of the 2020 Indie Book Awards. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-06-26 06:05:16 UTC ]
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This Website Makes It Easier to Buy Anti-Racist Books From Black-owned Bookstores

In the weeks since the May 25 killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, books about anti-racism have consistently topped bestseller lists. Many of these books have been purchased from the likes of Amazon and Barnes & Noble. To try and funnel some of these sales to Black-owned bookstores... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2020-06-19 21:16:38 UTC ]
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Reni Eddo-Lodge becomes first black British author to top UK book charts

Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race wins landmark ranking in the wake of worldwide Black Lives Matter protestsReni Eddo-Lodge has become the first black British author to take the overall No 1 spot in the UK’s official book charts.Eddo-Lodge’s Why I’m No Longer Talking to White... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-06-16 14:00:03 UTC ]
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Black Bookstore Selling Out of Books For First Time in 30 Years: Critical Linking, June 14, 2020

An awesome daily roundup of the most interesting bookish links from around the web. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2020-06-14 10:30:00 UTC ]
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Author Bernardine Evaristo: 'This is a history-making moment'

Author Bernardine Evaristo becomes the first black British woman to top the UK paperback fiction chart. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2020-06-12 11:06:56 UTC ]
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Black British authors top UK book charts in wake of BLM protests

Bernardine Evaristo and Reni Eddo-Lodge take No 1 slots in wake of anti-racist demonstrations, as Waterstones staff ask chain to support causeBernardine Evaristo and Reni Eddo-Lodge have become the first black British women to top the UK’s fiction and nonfiction paperback charts, in a week where... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-06-10 13:46:40 UTC ]
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"Do better, publishing people": an open letter to the industry

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[ The Bookseller | 2020-06-10 12:34:21 UTC ]
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Empathy – a new 'why' for the book industry

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[ The Bookseller | 2020-06-08 13:07:01 UTC ]
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Black-Owned Bookstore Offers “Ally Box” Book Subscription: Critical Linking, June 5, 2020

An awesome daily roundup of the most interesting bookish links from around the web. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2020-06-05 10:30:41 UTC ]
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‘No reader is too young to start’: anti-racist books for all children and teens

It’s never too early to learn that racism is wrong and we should be doing something about it. These books will help show our kids how, writes publisher and bookseller Aimée FeloneDo the work: Layla F Saad’s anti-racist reading list The weight of the world seems heavier than ever right now. The... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-06-04 07:00:00 UTC ]
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20 New Asian American Books to Read Right Now

It’s been just over 45 years since the publication of Aiiieeeee!, a groundbreaking and trailblazing anthology that established the category of Asian American literature. Since then, we’ve seen the amalgamation of great organizations centering around Asian American Pacific Islander literature,... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2020-05-29 11:00:00 UTC ]
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The Book Industry Charitable Foundation Has Never Been Busier Helping Bookstores

Last August, I wrote about the Book Industry Charitable Foundation, or “Binc,” a Michigan-based non-profit created to support booksellers who have fallen on hard times. If a bookseller winds up in the hospital or a bookstore has a flood, Binc can step in and pay their bills, no questions asked... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-05-29 08:48:18 UTC ]
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