Black authors call on the book industry to diversify publishing

The UK book industry says it “could and should do more” to diversify publishing, following an open letter from the Black Writers’ Guild and new research released.

More than 100 writers, who have formed the new guild, have called on major publishing houses to introduce reforms to make the industry more inclusive.

The Black Writers’ Guild includes former Bristol lord mayor Cleo Lake and Bristol-based historian David Olusoga and is led by people Southville-based publisher Sharmaine Lovegrove.

The open letter released on June 15, 2020 called on Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, Hachette, HarperCollins and Macmillan to take action to raise awareness of racial inequality and address racism within the industry.

Specific requests included specific requests audits, more data on black staffing at all levels and funding for marketing and publicity for new and emerging black talent.

Historian David Osuloga was among those to sign the letter. Photo: BBC

The letter is further backed by new research released on June 23, 2020.. The research, which was two years in the making, was conducted by Dr Anamik Saha and Dr Sandra van Lente and is part of a partnership project between Goldsmiths, University of London, Spread the Word and the Bookseller.

Rethinking ‘Diversity’ in Publishing, is the UK’s first academic study on diversity in trade fiction and publishing and calls on publishers to “radically reimagine” the traditional white middle-class reader and to “value” diverse audiences.

The report and open letter come ahead of #RethinkingDiversityWeek, taking place from Tuesday, June 23 to Friday, June 26.

Primarily focusing on “neutral” components of publishing such as acquisition, promotion, sales and retail, the Rethinking ‘Diversity’ in Publishing report found assumptions such as audiences are still imagined as white and middle-class, publishers still see writers of colour as a “commercial risk” and that black, Asian and minority ethnic and working class audiences are unappreciated by publishers.

The open letter called for increased black representation. Photo: Ivan Gonzalez

The report echoes calls from the Black Writers’ Guild’s open letter, which included concerns over the lack of black commissioners and staff at all levels, and the undervaluing of black voices.

As the five major publishers respond and act on the open letter, #RethinkingDiversityWeek, run by Goldsmiths, will be hosting Bristol authors of colour for online events.

Sharmaine Lovegrove, publisher at Dialogue Books and who helps organise the Black Writers’ Guild, will speak on Instagram Live at midday on Thursday, June 25 about how books by authors of colour are sold, marketed and promoted.

Nikesh Shukla, author, writer, former editor of Rife Magazine and co-founder of The Good Literary Agency, will also take part in an event.

A Zoom webinar at midday on Friday, June 26 will see the author discuss the future of publishing and how to meet the needs of writers of colour.

Nikesh Shukla will take part in #RethinkingDiversityWeek. Photo: Jess Connett

Main photo of Sharmaine Lovegrove: Christoffer Åhlén

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