Romance so white? Publishers grapple with race issues amid author protests

New report exposes decline in diversity in romance writing, as editor resigns after telling author they avoid putting non-white characters on covers ‘because we like the book to sell’Readers, writers and editors of romance books are grappling with the genre’s record on diversity, after a week where a report found that books by authors of colour were on the decline, an imprint specialising in diverse romances closed, and another publisher was forced to apologise for telling a writer they avoided putting people of colour on book covers because they didn’t sell.Queer romance writer Cole McCade came forward last week to reveal conversations with editor Sarah Lyons of the New Jersey-based publisher Riptide. McCade, who also writes as Xen Sanders, described Riptide as “at all levels hostile to me as a person of colour”. He published an email from Lyons in which she told him: “We don’t mind POC But I will warn you – and you have NO idea how much I hate having to say this – we won’t put them on the cover, because we like the book to, you know, sell :-(.” Related: 'Women are having different fantasies': romantic fiction in the age of Trump Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2018-03-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #romance writing #editor resigns #report found #romantic fiction

Other Publishing stories related to: 'Romance so white? Publishers grapple with race issues amid author protests'


Atomic Blonde author Johnston to publish thriller series

New York Times best-selling graphic novelist and games writer Antony Johnston has signed a deal with Eye Books to publish The Exphoria Code. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-09-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Ahead of Frankfurt: Michael Healy on World Copyright Issues Publishers Need to Watch

'Copyright has come to be seen by many outside our industry as an inhibitor to creativity,' writes Michael Healy ahead of a session at Frankfurt Book Fair. The post Ahead of Frankfurt: Michael Healy on World Copyright Issues Publishers Need to Watch appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-09-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #post ahead #michael healy


Authors protest 'axing' of Haringey children's librarians

A group of authors are campaigning against changes to Haringey’s library service with a “day of action” planned for Saturday (9th September). Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-09-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #authors protest #library service


Amazon Alleges Violations by KDP Authors, Publishers

Amazon has filed arbitration complaints against five individuals who it claims offered services to KDP authors and publishers intended to help them manipulate the reading platform for financial gain. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-09-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #reading platform #financial gain


UK publishing industry remains 90% white, survey finds

Research indicates diversity has improved in recent years, but a generational change is needed to balance the book trade, according to researchersA survey of more than 1,000 people working in UK publishing has found that more than 90% currently in the industry classify themselves as white... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-09-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book trade #uk publishing #vast majority


Ukraine Publishing Industry’s Bad Year: Closures Amid Kiev’s Russian Book Ban

The Ukrainian ban on Russian-language book imports is seen as contributing to closures and consolidations. Surviving publishers are reported struggling. The post Ukraine Publishing Industry’s Bad Year: Closures Amid Kiev’s Russian Book Ban appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-08-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #bad year


Author 'devastated' over Russian publisher's LGBT censorship

A Russian publisher's decision to cut a gay scene from American fantasy author VE Schwab’s fantasy trilogy, Shades of Magic, has been met with anger and "heartbreak". Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-08-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Publishers, Authors Win KinderGuides Copyright Case

A federal judge has found that Moppet Books had infringed copyright with its unauthorized children's "learning guides" to a host of classic novels. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-08-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #federal judge #moppet books #classic novels


Controversy as author pulls out of history festival in diversity protest

A Twitter storm has erupted over the lack of people of colour speaking at the Chalke Valley History Festival, with historian Rebecca Rideal pulling out just four days before it is due to begin, on Monday (26th June), in protest over the issue. However, the festival director, historian James... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-06-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #editorial content


BookCon 2017: Consumers Flock to Javits to Meet Authors—and Publishers

BookCon, which returned to New York City and to a two-day format, drew a strong crowd, continuing to skew towards female readers of YA literature. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-06-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #female readers #ya literature


Publishing staffers say age is a workplace issue

Claims are being made of a “thinning out” of older staffers in publishing, with the industry shifting its workforce demographic. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-05-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


French publishers face delays and transparency issues in Facebook’s fake-news crackdown

French publishers are happy about Facebook's fact-checking initiative, but there's room for improvement. The post French publishers face delays and transparency issues in Facebook’s fake-news crackdown appeared first on Digiday. Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2017-05-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #fake-news crackdown #french publishers #fact-checking initiative


Horowitz's UK publisher says it did not warn author off creating black character

Anthony Horowitz children's publisher at Walker has said it would not instruct authors on whether or not to include characters of a different race or background in their books. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-05-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #uk publisher


New fake news dilemma: sites publish real scoops amid mess of false reports

Louise Mensch is among a number of bloggers offering a mix of true and inaccurate stories, forcing readers to discern for truth for themselvesThe need for vigilance in distinguishing real journalism from “fake news” has become well established since Donald Trump was elected with help from bogus... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-05-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #fake news #evidence shows


'Show me the money!': the self-published authors being snapped up by Hollywood

After the success of self-published authors like Andy Weir and EL James, Hollywood is scooping up the rights to books as fast as it can. But why – and is it always good for the author?After watching Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill, self-published author Mark Dawson was inspired to create his own... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-05-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #self-published authors #andy weir #el james #kill bill #household names


New Amazon Buy Button Program Draws Ire of Publishers, Authors

Industry members claim the program, which allows third-party re-sellers to win the main buy button on book pages, has the potential to "decimate authors' and publishers' earnings," especially on backlist books. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-05-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book pages #backlist books


Amid Concerns at Kuala Lumpur Book Fair, Publishers Say Paper Costs Under Control

In Free Malaysia Today: Publishing players say that expected increases in paper costs are less a worry than growing numbers of local authors. The post Amid Concerns at Kuala Lumpur Book Fair, Publishers Say Paper Costs Under Control appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-05-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #paper costs #publishing players #local authors


Just William author Crompton's 'forgotten' adult novels to be published

Pan Macmillan's digital imprint Bello is to publish eight of Richmal Crompton's "forgotten" adult novels. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-04-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #adult novels #pan macmillan #richmal crompton


Industry Notes: Turkey’s ANKOS Signs With De Gruyter; US Authors Guild Issues New Guide

The US' Authors Guild widens its services with self-publishing instruction; university students in Turkey gain access to De Gruyter journal resources. The post Industry Notes: Turkey’s ANKOS Signs With De Gruyter; US Authors Guild Issues New Guide appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-04-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #guide appeared #de gruyter #university students


‘To Uphold and Defend’: International Publishers Association Issues Manifesto

Pledging 'to challenge violations wherever they occur,' the 60-nation organization of world publishing associations formalizes its commitment. The post ‘To Uphold and Defend’: International Publishers Association Issues Manifesto appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |