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 publisher for a seven-figure advance, was chosen for Oprah’s Book Club, and was touted as “the new Grapes of Wrath”. On release in 2020, early readers noted that the white author’s depiction of Mexican people was, at best, flawed, inaccurate, and riddled with stereotypes and, at worst, simply racist.A sensitivity reader is an additional editor who works alongside the publishing house staffer who acquired the rights to your book. This individual will conduct a very specific read of the manuscript, and offer notes on characters from marginalised groups, or elements which may cause offence. The argument goes that if American Dirt had been sufficiently scrutinised by a reader of Mexican heritage, some of the furore could have been avoided. Continue reading... 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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Carthew plans UK tour to address publishing diversity and inclusion

Natasha Carthew, the artistic director of The Festival for Working Class Writers, is planning a UK tour in 2022 to address diversity and inclusion issues in the industry. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-11-25 12:09:19 UTC ]
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US files antitrust suit to stop major book publisher merger

The Justice Department is suing to block a $2.2 billion book publishing deal that would have reshaped the industry Continue reading at ABC News

[ ABC News | 2021-11-02 21:39:48 UTC ]
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At Sharjah: IPA President Bodour Al Qasimi on Diversity in Publishing

'Sometimes we can become prisoners of our preconceptions,' the International Publishers Association's Bodour Al Qasimi tells colleagues in Sharjah. The post At Sharjah: IPA President Bodour Al Qasimi on Diversity in Publishing appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-11-02 02:24:56 UTC ]
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Next Stop After Frankfurt Book Fair: Sharjah’s Publishers’ Conference

Some 520 publishing professionals are traveling to the UAE for the 40th Sharjah International Book Fair and its Publishers' Conference. The post Next Stop After Frankfurt Book Fair: Sharjah’s Publishers’ Conference appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-10-28 14:20:43 UTC ]
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Publishers should emphasise 'joyful' qualities of diverse books, Levine says

Publishers “should stop thinking about BAME talent as fulfilling a school requirement” and “should emphasise the joyful and literary qualities" of diverse books, Arthur Levine, founder of the independent publisher Levine Querido, has said. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-09-22 04:07:18 UTC ]
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Authors Guild Diversity Webinar Asks: Can Book Publishing Change?

The Authors Guild's virtual panel "Centering Black Voices: Short-Term Progress or Sustainable Change?," held on July 27, offered a wide-ranging examination of the history and potential of the book industry’s continuing struggle to address diversity. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-07-30 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Avon to publish Goodwin's 'heart-stopping' debut in two-book deal

Avon Books has acquired Sarah Goodwin's debut Stranded, plus one more untitled novel.   Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-06-25 00:42:01 UTC ]
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Dr. Seuss Enterprises will stop publishing these 6 books due to racist imagery

‘Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprises’ catalog represents and supports all communities and families.’ Six Dr. Seuss books are being pulled from publication, the organization who manages the late author’s legacy accounted... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2021-03-02 08:06:15 UTC ]
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The UK’s Publishers Association Releases Its New Diversity Report

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-02-12 14:37:25 UTC ]
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Small Publishers Struggle to Build a Diverse Workforce

Interviews with mainline Christian, Catholic, and spirituality publishers found efforts to build a more inclusive staff bump into tight budgets, small staffs, lack of attrition, and high competition for talent. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-02-09 05:00:00 UTC ]
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HarperVoyager spellbound by Juno Dawson's first adult trilogy

HarperVoyager has snared YA writer Juno Dawson's first three adult novels, a trilogy set around a government agency for witches, at auction in a six-figure deal. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-01-27 18:39:44 UTC ]
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Commentary: The latest publishing mega-merger might kill off small presses — and literary diversity

The planned merger of Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster may be global but it's bad for books both foreign and domestic. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2020-12-04 19:25:12 UTC ]
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‘There Are Tons of Brown Faces Missing’: Publishers Step Up Diversity Efforts

The push in book publishing for more authors and workers of color hasn’t abated, and companies are increasingly making lasting changes to the way they do business. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2020-10-29 16:18:17 UTC ]
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Bernardine Evaristo to UK Publishing: Hire More Diverse People

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-10-14 18:02:09 UTC ]
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Puffin to publish animal detective series for younger readers by Megan Rix

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[ The Bookseller | 2020-09-02 09:37:50 UTC ]
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Aspen Institute Looks at a Publishing Industry Challenged to Embrace Diversity

Aspen asks, 'Why is the world of publishing so reluctant to offer Black writers the same major book deals typically offered to white writers?' The post Aspen Institute Looks at a Publishing Industry Challenged to Embrace Diversity appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-08-21 18:41:12 UTC ]
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HarperCollins’ Ecco and Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney Create a Publishing Diversity Fellowship

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-08-19 13:46:28 UTC ]
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Diversity in Publishing in the Age of Black Lives Matter

While recent efforts are encouraging, publishing needs to establish permanent methods to give people of color more opportunities. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-08-14 04:00:00 UTC ]
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