'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 diversity but quotas that she was objecting to and calling out what she described as the “malicious misinterpretation” of her original essay.In a piece for the Spectator this month, Shriver objected to the publisher’s goal for its staff and authors to represent UK society by 2025. “Drunk on virtue, Penguin Random House no longer regards the company’s raison d’etre as the acquisition and dissemination of good books,” she wrote. “Rather, the organisation aims to mirror the percentages of minorities in the UK population with statistical precision.” Related: Diversity in publishing is under attack. I hear the sound of knuckles dragging | Hanif Kureishi Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2018-06-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Critics’ Picks: A Year in Reading

New York Times book critics discuss their favorite books and memorable reading experiences of 2022. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2022-12-09 20:04:15 UTC ]
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IPA Joins Criticism of Russia’s Anti-LGBTQ Bill

The International Publishers Association warns that 'publishers will find themselves at risk' under the proposed Russian legislation. The post IPA Joins Criticism of Russia’s Anti-LGBTQ Bill appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-11-29 05:22:31 UTC ]
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New and Forthcoming Titles for a Diverse Market

The following is a listing of new and forthcoming adult, young adult, and children’s titles that showcase the multicultural nature of American society and reflect the ever-increasing range of topics and disciplines needed to serve its diverse communities. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-11-19 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Sheikh Zayed Award Names More Longlists: Criticism and Nations’ Development

Two categories’ longlists have just been released in the 17th edition of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, based in Abu Dhabi. The post Sheikh Zayed Award Names More Longlists: Criticism and Nations’ Development appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-11-18 22:40:21 UTC ]
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Heartland Fall Forum 2022: Bigger, Better, More Diverse Than Ever

Heartland Fall Forum in St. Louis was, booksellers and exhibitors reported, the most exciting regional in years, with an influx of young and BIPOC booksellers giving the show a boost of energy. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-10-17 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon’s upgrades to its entry-level Kindle should finally silence critics

Last year, Amazon spiffed up the Kindle Paperwhite, infusing its mid-tier e-reader with an array of premium hardware upgrades. The tweaks were enough to push the humbler entry-level Kindle firmly out of the spotlight given its inferior screen, lower number of front light LEDs, and lack of... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2022-09-13 13:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishers, Internet Archive Trade Reply Briefs in Book Scanning Case

In the lengthy filings, the parties sharpen their arguments for summary judgment in the closely watched copyright case. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-09-06 04:00:00 UTC ]
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His First Novel Was a Critical Hit. Two Decades Later, He Rewrote It.

Many fiction writers wind up wishing they could redraft their early works. Akhil Sharma actually did. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2022-07-12 13:49:06 UTC ]
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Pamela Paul criticized for anti-trans opinion about the word 'woman'

After the former book editor of the New York Times published an Op-Ed decrying trans-inclusive language, the online literary community spoke out. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2022-07-07 19:21:33 UTC ]
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Indie bookstore boom turns page to a more diverse America

The year 2021 saw a substantial increase in the number of independent bookstores in the United States. And a growing proportion of these stores is owned by individuals from diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2022-06-17 15:44:11 UTC ]
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Critics Blast James Patterson For Saying White Writers Are Struggling To Get Work

The author, who is white, told British newspaper The Times that job difficulties were "another form of racism." Continue reading at The Huffington Post

[ The Huffington Post | 2022-06-13 08:03:37 UTC ]
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Midge Decter, social critic and leader of neoconservative movement, dies at 94

She was a longtime contributor of Commentary magazine, where her husband Norman Podhoretz was editor. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-05-09 20:57:00 UTC ]
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Centering Diverse Perspectives

As the two-year anniversary approaches of the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, new and forthcoming books reflect religion and spirituality publishers’ intensified efforts to recruit and acquire books by BIPOC authors. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-04-27 04:00:00 UTC ]
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In critic Margo Jefferson’s memoir, a life is refracted through art

The Pulitzer winner relates her story, and nuanced ideas about race and family, via a series of encounters with literature, music and painting. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-04-22 12:00:39 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 ]
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HBG Diversity Efforts Continue in Hiring and New Partnerships

In its annual update on its diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, Hachette Book Group reported that BIPOC employees comprised 35.4% of its workforce last year, up from 32.9% in 2020. The company also announced four new partnerships it has signed to support writers and publishing... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-03-24 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Ted Cruz gave the nation a lesson on misreading kids books

Ted Cruz misinterpreted and misrepresented Black children's books as he questioned Ketanji Brown Jackson during her Supreme Court confirmation hearing. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-03-23 17:49:14 UTC ]
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National Book Critics Circle Award Winners Announced

The NBCC Awards are the only awards in the U.S. chosen by book critics. Here are the winners for books published in 2021. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-03-18 15:45:58 UTC ]
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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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Bruce Duffy, who explored philosophers’ lives in critically praised debut novel, dies at 70

His ambitious 1987 novel about the life of Ludwig Wittgenstein and other philosophers was a literary sensation. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-03-11 20:48:27 UTC ]
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