Diversity in publishing – still hideously middle-class and white?

Two years ago, we called publishers to account for the glaring lack of diversity in the industry. Pledges were made and initiatives set up. Have things improved?Find out about the new projects to encourage inclusivity in the book businessIn December 2015, British publishing stood accused of woeful blindness to diversity, and not for the first time, after World Book Night (WBN) announced its titles, and none of the 15 books was by a writer of colour. An apology was issued by organisers but a wider malaise had already set in, and along with it, the troubling feeling that WBN’s oversight was less an isolated incident and more a recurring pattern of exclusion that stretched across the literary establishment.A report on the state of the books industry had been published earlier that year by the development agency Spread the Word, which drew attention to how intransigently white, middle-class (and further up the ladder, male) it remained, from literary festivals and prizes to publications and personnel. Then, last autumn, there was more embarrassing exposure when World Book Day – which focuses on children’s titles – issued its own all-white book list and an independent publisher flagged up the fact that only one black, British male debut novelist had been published in 2016. Earlier this year, there was talk of a boycott when the Carnegie medal for children’s literature revealed its all-white longlist. Related: Only 4.8% of TV writers are black. As one of them, I know the system... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2017-12-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #literary festivals #carnegie medal #tv writers #bame writers

Other Publishing stories related to: 'Diversity in publishing – still hideously middle-class and white?'


Diversity in publishing – still hideously middle-class and white?

Two years ago, we called publishers to account for the glaring lack of diversity in the industry. Pledges were made and initiatives set up. Have things improved?Find out about the new projects to encourage inclusivity in the book businessIn December 2015, British publishing stood accused of... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-12-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #literary festivals #carnegie medal #tv writers #bame writers


Kieran: 'white middle class men should talk about diversity'

White middle class men should not be afraid to talk about and challenge publishing's lack of diversity, Unbound c.e.o. Dan Kieran has said. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The fate of the American middle class — beyond the White, male myths

Women and people of color are essential to the economy, too, Jim Tankersley writes. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2020-08-14 12:00:00 UTC ]
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Trade challenged to reach out beyond white, middle-class 'Susans'

Long-held assumptions held by the trade about writers of colour must be challenged and a concerted effort made to reach new and diverse audiences, the industry heard tuning into a webinar launching the Rethinking ‘Diversity’ in Publishing report.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-06-23 18:37:47 UTC ]
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Ad buyers: Don’t blame us for the death of the publishing middle class

The demise of Mic has become a cautionary tale for media that relied too heavily on Facebook and tried to be everything to everyone. The post Ad buyers: Don’t blame us for the death of the publishing middle class appeared first on Digiday. Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2018-12-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Diversity in the House: The State of Diversity in Publishing

Three voices on the challenge of making publishing less white and more representative of the world at large. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-04-19 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Canadian Publishing 2018: Is Diverse, Data-Driven Wattpad Publishing's Future?

The Canadian digital platform is using machine learning to discover what readers want. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-09-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The White Review literary magazine ceases publishing

A statement cited increased costs and removal of UK state funding as the magazine, which featured writers including Paul Murray, Caleb Azumah Nelson and Sally Rooney, is to consider its future Literary magazine the White Review will not be published “for an indefinite period” according to a... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-09-26 09:06:39 UTC ]
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This Bestselling Author Says Publishers Rejected His New Thriller Because He’s White. I Read It, and I’m Not So Sure.

If you believe that the role of a novel is to instruct readers on correct moral positions, then Trial is a masterpiece. Continue reading at Slate

[ Slate | 2023-06-20 16:38:36 UTC ]
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CCBC Releases Statistics Regarding Diversity in Children's Literature Published in 2022

The Cooperative Children's Book Center has released its annual statistics on diversity in children's literature, and the results are heartening: 40% of books published in 2022 have a BIPOC author, illustrator, or compiler. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-06-13 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Literary Luminaries Debate Diversity, Publishing's Moral Obligations at PEN Town Hall

During a panel, "Do Publisher’s Have a Moral Obligation to Diversify American Literature?", authors Min Jin Lee, Chris Beha, Roxane Gay and publishing veteran Erroll McDonald weighed in on a central issue in the book business. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-12-16 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Agate Publishing's 20-Year Commitment to Diversity

Publisher Doug Seibold’s personal and professional goals haven’t changed since he incorporated his company in Illinois in the fall of 2002: he Seibold wants to publish books that he is passionate about and that fill a niche, and he wants to make the industry more inclusive. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-12-16 05:00:00 UTC ]
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White House Historical Association Marks 60 Years of Publishing

This year, 'The White House: An Historic Guide,' coedited by first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, celebrates its 60th year in print and, with it, the WHHA’s 60th year in publishing. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-04-29 04:00:00 UTC ]
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After publisher pulls book by white professor on 'trap feminism,' founder speaks out

A Christian publishing house pulled a book after an online backlash questioned why a white academic was discussing Black feminism. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2022-04-19 22:03:35 UTC ]
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Heading to London Book Fair: Diversity in UK Publishing

As the UK publishing industry prepares for its annual encounter with many colleagues from other markets, a look at UK book business diversity. The post Heading to London Book Fair: Diversity in UK Publishing appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-04-01 19:24:36 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #uk publishing #uk book #publishing industry


The problematic white, male Southern writer who inspired a diverse generation

Why did Penguin decide to reissue a memoir and a novel by Harry Crews, a dead white Southern writer? His influence — and his truths — run deep. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2022-03-15 13:00:07 UTC ]
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WNDB Launches Virtual Community for Mid-Level Diverse Publishing Professionals

The We Need Diverse Books nonprofit organization advocating for more inclusion in the industry is launching a virtual community platform for mid-level diverse publishing professionals in an effort to improve retention rates. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-03-10 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Stop moaning about sensitivity readers – if there was diversity in publishing we wouldn’t need them | Juno Dawson

Since 2011, all my book editors have been white. Why wouldn’t I want another perspective on the characters I invent?Until a few years ago, only publishing industry insiders would have understood the role of the sensitivity reader. Then came American Dirt. The Jeanine Cummins novel sold to a US... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-03-08 09:00:06 UTC ]
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Academic Publishing Edition: Amsterdam’s Michiel Kolman on Diversity in STM

In scholarly and academic publishing, Elsevier's Michiel Kolman says, more female leadership is a new and promising development. The post Academic Publishing Edition: Amsterdam’s Michiel Kolman on Diversity in STM appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-01-28 13:07:42 UTC ]
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As a black literary agent, I despair at UK publishing's lack of diversity | Natalie Jerome

For decades, I sat in meetings with all-white teams. The industry needs an independent body to advise on equalityI’m a literary agent and at the height of last year’s Black Lives Matter protests I was sent a list, with accompanying photographs, of the top editors working across the major... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-01-01 10:00:46 UTC ]
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