Lionel Shriver is wrong. Penguin’s push for diversity will translate into better books

Penguin Random House’s vow to make its output ‘reflect British society’ has been met with predictable howls of outrageLionel Shriver has directed another broadside at the publishing world, this time taking aim in The Spectator at a Penguin Random House directive that by 2025 its hiring and publishing output “reflect UK society”. Whether entirely serious or as an agente provocatrice, Shriver charged that this was political correctness inimical to the production of “good books”.This may make for good copy, but Penguin Random House is a very large company in an industry that produces a staggering number of distinct products. Given that writing ability is presumably evenly distributed across the socio-economic and ethnic spectrum – why would it not be? – one would expect, statistically, the company’s output to reflect the wider society. If it diverges to any significant extent, then that itself is evidence of a problem – perhaps a social one, but almost certainly a business one: it will be leaving parts of its market underserved. Related: Lionel Shriver may not realise it, but greatness can come from anywhere Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2018-06-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #staggering number #wider society

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Lionel Shriver is wrong. Penguin’s push for diversity will translate into better books

Penguin Random House’s vow to make its output ‘reflect British society’ has been met with predictable howls of outrageLionel Shriver has directed another broadside at the publishing world, this time taking aim in The Spectator at a Penguin Random House directive that by 2025 its hiring and... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-06-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #staggering number #wider society


Penguin Random House and We Need Diverse Books Open Submissions for the 2024 Creative Writing Awards

The awards partnership between Penguin Random House and We Need Diverse Books will award $60,000 in scholarships. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-10-18 18:22:57 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #diverse books #penguin random house #random house


We Need Diverse Books is partnering with Penguin Random House to establish a Black Creatives Fund.

Some good news: today, Publishers Weekly reported that We Need Diverse Books is partnering with Penguin Random House on a series of programs to get more books by Black writers published. The Black Creatives Fund initiative involves a “Revisions Workshop”; a mentoring program; and marketing... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2021-02-17 18:23:38 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #diverse books #publishers weekly #penguin random house


At the National Book Foundation’s Translation Panel: ‘The Most Diverse Reading Experience’

Given a chance to speak to an audience of consumers, translation specialists brought together by the National Book Foundation, spoke about cultural distinctions, the challenges to finding readership, and bookselling tactics for the uninitiated. The post At the National Book Foundation’s... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-07-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Wilful misreading': Lionel Shriver replies to critics in diversity row

Novelist responds to the reaction against her comments on diversity in publishing, accusing her critics of ‘malicious misinterpretation’Lionel Shriver has responded to the vituperative row that followed her recent comments about Penguin Random House’s diversity scheme, saying that it was not... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-06-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #lionel shriver #original essay #good books


Lionel Shriver dismissed as contest judge after her dismissive comments about diversity in publishing

Writer Lionel Shriver, best known for her novel “We Need To Talk About Kevin,” has lost her spot as a judge for a writing contest after she published a column in the Spectator mocking a diversity drive in Britain’s division of Penguin Random House. Shriver was responding to an email she’d seen,... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2018-06-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #diversity drive #writing contest


Publisher defends diversity drive after Lionel Shriver's attack

Penguin Random House has responded to the novelist’s criticisms, saying it aims to ‘reflect the society in which we live’Lionel Shriver’s blistering assertion that, “drunk on virtue”, Penguin Random House is putting diversity ahead of literary excellence has been dismissed by the publisher,... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-06-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #uk society #lionel shriver #literary excellence #narrow section #account ethnicity #social mobility #free speech


Lionel Shriver attacks Penguin publisher's inclusion policy

Lionel Shriver says the "dissemination of good books" should be most important for publishers. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2018-06-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #lionel shriver #good books


Book review: 'The New Republic' by Lionel Shriver

Lionel Shriver deftly handles terrorism, politics and satire in 'The New Republic.'It takes guts to write a satire about terrorism — and Lionel Shriver has guts. She has already published biting novels about the failings of the U.S. healthcare system ("So Much for That") and a school shooter... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2012-03-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book review #lionel shriver #healthcare system


Scholastic Offers Option to Exclude Diverse Books from Book Fairs

Scholastic has separated out LGBTQ books and BIPOC books into an optional add-on box in a policy some are calling a "bigot button." Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-10-16 14:39:10 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book fairs #lgbtq books #bipoc books #scholastic


Hachette Book Group Saw Diversity Gains in Staff, Book Acquisitions in 2020

BIPOC employees represented 47.8% of new hires by the Hachette Book Group in 2020, and the percentage of titles acquired from BIPOC authors and illustrators increased to 29%, from 22%. CEO Michael Pietsch acknowledged that despite the improvement, much more work needs to be done. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-05-13 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book acquisitions #bipoc authors #book group


For Banned Books Week, I read the country’s 10 most challenged books. The gay penguins did not corrupt me.

The fact that these insightful, helpful and encouraging books are meeting such resistance is a distressing sign. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2020-09-28 12:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #challenged books #gay penguins


Penguin Random House Children’s Books to Publish Wattpad Books in UK

The latest stage in Wattpad's rapid expansion, its own new line of books is to be published in the UK market by Penguin Random House UK. The post Penguin Random House Children’s Books to Publish Wattpad Books in UK appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-08-08 09:05:12 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #uk market #uk appeared #rapid expansion #penguin random house #random house


New Translated YA Book Shortlist from GLLI; New Translators’ Grants From SCBWI

SCBWI has opened a new work-in-progress grant program for translators, and GLLI soon will name its first Translated YA Book Prize. The post New Translated YA Book Shortlist from GLLI; New Translators’ Grants From SCBWI appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-01-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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PRH Bolsters We Need Diverse Books for Banned Books Week

Penguin Random House has partnered with the publishing diversity group on a social media campaign as a part of its support for Banned Books Week, held this year September 23-29. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-09-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #diverse books


Sheikh Zayed Book Award, PP, and Frankfurt Book Fair NY Hosts Event Celebrating Arabic Literature in Translation

The Sheikh Zayed Book Award, Publishing Perspectives, and the Frankfurt Book Fair New York will host at seminar on Arabic literature in translation in NYC. The post Sheikh Zayed Book Award, PP, and Frankfurt Book Fair NY Hosts Event Celebrating Arabic Literature in Translation appeared first on... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-07-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #translation appeared #arabic literature


BookCon 2018: We Need Diverse Books: Beyond Diversity 101

We Need Diverse Books has grown alongside BookCon, working for greater inclusiveness in publishing. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-06-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #diverse books


National Book Awards opens up to translated books

America’s National Book Awards will reportedly expand to recognise works in translation. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-02-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #translated books


Hachette and Penguin Random House lead British Book Awards Books of the Year shortlists

Hachette and Penguin Random House have earned 11 shortlistings each in the British Book Awards’ Books of the Year awards, with Pan Macmillan garnering three nods and Faber and HarperCollins both winning two nominations. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-03-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #year shortlists #year awards


‘Ghettoizing the Translations’: Chad Post on Marketing Books in Translation

What's done to help sell standard books, but not to help sell books in translation? In a telling interview, Chad Post talks about differences in marketing. The post ‘Ghettoizing the Translations’: Chad Post on Marketing Books in Translation appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-02-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #translation appeared #marketing books #chad post #sell books