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| Black Writers’ Guild calls for sweeping change in UK publishing | Black Writers’ Guild calls for sweeping change in UK publishing |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| More than 100 authors join new body calling for the industry to address deep-seated inequalities in output and personnel | More than 100 authors join new body calling for the industry to address deep-seated inequalities in output and personnel |
| More than 100 writers including Booker winner Bernardine Evaristo, Benjamin Zephaniah and Malorie Blackman have called on all major publishing houses in the UK to introduce sweeping reforms to make the overwhelmingly white industry more inclusive at all levels. | More than 100 writers including Booker winner Bernardine Evaristo, Benjamin Zephaniah and Malorie Blackman have called on all major publishing houses in the UK to introduce sweeping reforms to make the overwhelmingly white industry more inclusive at all levels. |
| As black authors top the bestseller charts in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests spurred by the killing of George Floyd, the newly formed Black Writers’ Guild (BWG), which counts among its members some of Britain’s best known authors and poets, has written an open letter airing concerns that “British publishers are raising awareness of racial inequality without significantly addressing their own”. | As black authors top the bestseller charts in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests spurred by the killing of George Floyd, the newly formed Black Writers’ Guild (BWG), which counts among its members some of Britain’s best known authors and poets, has written an open letter airing concerns that “British publishers are raising awareness of racial inequality without significantly addressing their own”. |
| Several of the signatories have recently shared their experiences of racism, including editors’ requests to add white or racist characters to their books, and being offered lower advances than their white contemporaries. | Several of the signatories have recently shared their experiences of racism, including editors’ requests to add white or racist characters to their books, and being offered lower advances than their white contemporaries. |
| The letter was sent to the “big five” publishers – Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, Hachette, HarperCollins and Macmillan – on Monday afternoon. | The letter was sent to the “big five” publishers – Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, Hachette, HarperCollins and Macmillan – on Monday afternoon. |
| Despite launching numerous schemes to attract a more diverse workforce over the last five years, the industry has failed to reflect Britain’s racial and regional diversity with white, privately educated individuals massively over-represented. A major survey conducted by the Publishers Association last year found that “significant progress” was still needed to improve racial diversity, with only 11.6% of respondents identifying as BAME – lower than the UK population (14%), and significantly lower than London (40.2%), where all the major publishers are based. In comparison, the proportion who went to private school is three times the national figure. | Despite launching numerous schemes to attract a more diverse workforce over the last five years, the industry has failed to reflect Britain’s racial and regional diversity with white, privately educated individuals massively over-represented. A major survey conducted by the Publishers Association last year found that “significant progress” was still needed to improve racial diversity, with only 11.6% of respondents identifying as BAME – lower than the UK population (14%), and significantly lower than London (40.2%), where all the major publishers are based. In comparison, the proportion who went to private school is three times the national figure. |
| Among its recommendations, the BWG is calling on publishers to share more data about their black authors, including how many make it through the submission process to publication, and the size of their advances. It also recommends that publishers hire more black commissioning editors, who find new talent to publish, as well as more black staff in marketing, publicity and illustration roles. | Among its recommendations, the BWG is calling on publishers to share more data about their black authors, including how many make it through the submission process to publication, and the size of their advances. It also recommends that publishers hire more black commissioning editors, who find new talent to publish, as well as more black staff in marketing, publicity and illustration roles. |
| “One of the biggest complaints about publishers amongst black writers who do not start out with a notable profile is that our books are misunderstood by both editors and the marketing departments,” the letter states. | “One of the biggest complaints about publishers amongst black writers who do not start out with a notable profile is that our books are misunderstood by both editors and the marketing departments,” the letter states. |
| The letter also notes the lack of any black people on the boards of major publishers. “In 2020 this is unacceptable as well as unsustainable in the modern world. We are asking publishers to address and rectify this immediately,” the letter states. | The letter also notes the lack of any black people on the boards of major publishers. “In 2020 this is unacceptable as well as unsustainable in the modern world. We are asking publishers to address and rectify this immediately,” the letter states. |
| The guild also outlines a potential new network of black literary agents, talent scouts and booksellers outside London “to ensure the whole supply chain is knowledgable and committed to working with our narratives”, and asks publishers to put money into new awards, festivals and literary magazines dedicated to black talent. The most dramatic proposal is for a new system where stakeholders could raise any future concerns about decision-making made at the highest levels directly with senior executives.Publisher Sharmaine Lovegrove, who formed the guild with journalist Afua Hirsch and author Nels Abbey, said they had “had hundreds of positive responses” within hours of floating the idea to writers. | The guild also outlines a potential new network of black literary agents, talent scouts and booksellers outside London “to ensure the whole supply chain is knowledgable and committed to working with our narratives”, and asks publishers to put money into new awards, festivals and literary magazines dedicated to black talent. The most dramatic proposal is for a new system where stakeholders could raise any future concerns about decision-making made at the highest levels directly with senior executives.Publisher Sharmaine Lovegrove, who formed the guild with journalist Afua Hirsch and author Nels Abbey, said they had “had hundreds of positive responses” within hours of floating the idea to writers. |
| “It was agreed that we needed a strong and united black writers’ group. A group that could help us, as well as our industry, make the most of the exciting opportunities black writing talent in the UK has to offer. We want to help guide our industry to become leading lights in the global movement for racial equality,” she added. | “It was agreed that we needed a strong and united black writers’ group. A group that could help us, as well as our industry, make the most of the exciting opportunities black writing talent in the UK has to offer. We want to help guide our industry to become leading lights in the global movement for racial equality,” she added. |
| The letter in full | The letter in full |
| We are the Black Writers’ Guild, representing the black publishing community in the UK. Our membership group includes over 200 published black writers, including some of Britain’s bestselling authors and leading literary figures. | We are the Black Writers’ Guild, representing the black publishing community in the UK. Our membership group includes over 200 published black writers, including some of Britain’s bestselling authors and leading literary figures. |
| The protest movement sweeping the world since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis has forced an international soul-searching to understand the pervasive racial inequalities that haunt most sectors of our society – including our own major institutions and industries. | The protest movement sweeping the world since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis has forced an international soul-searching to understand the pervasive racial inequalities that haunt most sectors of our society – including our own major institutions and industries. |
| Publishers have taken advantage of this moment to amplify the marketing of titles by their black authors and release statements of support for the black communities who have been campaigning for equality for decades. | Publishers have taken advantage of this moment to amplify the marketing of titles by their black authors and release statements of support for the black communities who have been campaigning for equality for decades. |
| Although we welcome your support at this time, we are deeply concerned that British publishers are raising awareness of racial inequality without significantly addressing their own. | Although we welcome your support at this time, we are deeply concerned that British publishers are raising awareness of racial inequality without significantly addressing their own. |
| We are calling on you to help us tackle the deep-rooted racial inequalities in the major corporate publishing companies and support grassroots black literary communities such as booksellers, book clubs and the Black Writers’ Guild. | We are calling on you to help us tackle the deep-rooted racial inequalities in the major corporate publishing companies and support grassroots black literary communities such as booksellers, book clubs and the Black Writers’ Guild. |
| We request the following: | We request the following: |
| 1. We would like there to be an audit of the books published by black authors. This should include genres, the submission-to-acquisition ratio of black authors in the past five years and the median and mode of the advances of black authors. | 1. We would like there to be an audit of the books published by black authors. This should include genres, the submission-to-acquisition ratio of black authors in the past five years and the median and mode of the advances of black authors. |
| We’d also like data on the roles of black staff across the business. | We’d also like data on the roles of black staff across the business. |
| Rather than relying on anecdotal information, the data is crucial for us to better understand the current situation and how each area can be resolved for equality. 2. We are concerned that an absence of black commissioners who understand our communities and nuanced life experiences is limiting the ability to find the stories that best capture and reflect the sensibilities within them, to market them and also identify new talent across a broad range of areas. We are calling on publishers to hire black commissioners at every level of their companies. 3. We are aware that there is a worrying absence of black publishing staff in key positions in sales, marketing and publicity departments. These roles are vital in the acquisitions process and, in addition, these specific roles are focused on books reaching readers from a range of backgrounds, so diversity is essential. This also extends to designers and illustrators who are an important part of the messaging and engagement of a book – there is a woeful lack of black talent in this area. 4. One of the biggest complaints about publishers amongst black writers who do not start out with a notable profile is that our books are misunderstood by both editors and the marketing departments. Our books can often require additional support to reach the audiences who should be sought beyond the usual retailer pathways. We would like publishers to create a ring-fenced fund for marketing and specialist publicity focus to support the books of new and emerging black talent.5. We are deeply concerned by the absence of any black members on core leadership boards. In 2020 this is unacceptable as well as unsustainable in the modern world. We are asking publishers to address and rectify this immediately.6. We would like publishers to help us lobby to expand the pool of literary agents and build a network of black literary agents and talent scouts for emerging black talent that reaches beyond London into black communities in the nations and regions. This should also extend to buyers and booksellers to ensure the whole supply chain is knowledgable and committed to working with our narratives. 7. We ask that publishers make an additional financial commitment to new awards recognising and amplifying black talent as well as other initiatives such as a festival, and a literary magazine that can help build and foster readers from the black community. | Rather than relying on anecdotal information, the data is crucial for us to better understand the current situation and how each area can be resolved for equality. 2. We are concerned that an absence of black commissioners who understand our communities and nuanced life experiences is limiting the ability to find the stories that best capture and reflect the sensibilities within them, to market them and also identify new talent across a broad range of areas. We are calling on publishers to hire black commissioners at every level of their companies. 3. We are aware that there is a worrying absence of black publishing staff in key positions in sales, marketing and publicity departments. These roles are vital in the acquisitions process and, in addition, these specific roles are focused on books reaching readers from a range of backgrounds, so diversity is essential. This also extends to designers and illustrators who are an important part of the messaging and engagement of a book – there is a woeful lack of black talent in this area. 4. One of the biggest complaints about publishers amongst black writers who do not start out with a notable profile is that our books are misunderstood by both editors and the marketing departments. Our books can often require additional support to reach the audiences who should be sought beyond the usual retailer pathways. We would like publishers to create a ring-fenced fund for marketing and specialist publicity focus to support the books of new and emerging black talent.5. We are deeply concerned by the absence of any black members on core leadership boards. In 2020 this is unacceptable as well as unsustainable in the modern world. We are asking publishers to address and rectify this immediately.6. We would like publishers to help us lobby to expand the pool of literary agents and build a network of black literary agents and talent scouts for emerging black talent that reaches beyond London into black communities in the nations and regions. This should also extend to buyers and booksellers to ensure the whole supply chain is knowledgable and committed to working with our narratives. 7. We ask that publishers make an additional financial commitment to new awards recognising and amplifying black talent as well as other initiatives such as a festival, and a literary magazine that can help build and foster readers from the black community. |
| 8. We believe there is a disconnect between black stakeholders in publishing and senior decision-makers in the industry. We believe each company should have a mechanism for stakeholders and senior executives to have a direct relationship to discuss concerns and trends in the output of publishers. We would like to work with publishers to create this. | 8. We believe there is a disconnect between black stakeholders in publishing and senior decision-makers in the industry. We believe each company should have a mechanism for stakeholders and senior executives to have a direct relationship to discuss concerns and trends in the output of publishers. We would like to work with publishers to create this. |
| We maintain that all of these requests will not only help to guard against pervasive racial inequality but will unearth more talent and help nurture a thriving literary culture in this country. We ask for your partnership in achieving this and look forward to your reply. | We maintain that all of these requests will not only help to guard against pervasive racial inequality but will unearth more talent and help nurture a thriving literary culture in this country. We ask for your partnership in achieving this and look forward to your reply. |
| Yours sincerely, | Yours sincerely, |
| The Black Writers’ Guild | The Black Writers’ Guild |
| Abidemi Sanusi | Abidemi Sanusi |
| Adeola Solanke | Adeola Solanke |
| Adjoa Wiredu | Adjoa Wiredu |
| Afua Hirsch | Afua Hirsch |
| Ale McKenzie | Ale McKenzie |
| Alexandra Sheppard | Alexandra Sheppard |
| Aniefiok ‘Neef’ Ekpoudom | Aniefiok ‘Neef’ Ekpoudom |
| Anni Domingo | Anni Domingo |
| Avril E Russell | Avril E Russell |
| Benjamin Zephaniah | Benjamin Zephaniah |
| Bernardine Evaristo | Bernardine Evaristo |
| Bryan Judith | Bryan Judith |
| Candice Carty-Williams | Candice Carty-Williams |
| Carol Russell | Carol Russell |
| Catherine Johnson | Catherine Johnson |
| Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff | Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff |
| Cherish Shirley | Cherish Shirley |
| Cheryl Ndione | Cheryl Ndione |
| Chine McDonald | Chine McDonald |
| Clementine Burnley | Clementine Burnley |
| Cleo Lake | Cleo Lake |
| Courttia Newland | Courttia Newland |
| Daniel Taylor | Daniel Taylor |
| Daniella Dash | Daniella Dash |
| David Olusoga | David Olusoga |
| Degna Stone | Degna Stone |
| Denise Saul | Denise Saul |
| Derek Bardowell | Derek Bardowell |
| Derek Owusu | Derek Owusu |
| Desiree Reynolds | Desiree Reynolds |
| Desree | Desree |
| Diana Evans | Diana Evans |
| Dianna Hunt | Dianna Hunt |
| Dipo Baruwa-Etti | Dipo Baruwa-Etti |
| Dorothy Koomsom | Dorothy Koomsom |
| Dr Althea-Maria Rivas | Dr Althea-Maria Rivas |
| Elijah Lawal | Elijah Lawal |
| Elontra Hall | Elontra Hall |
| Emma Dabiri | Emma Dabiri |
| Esua Jane Goldsmith | Esua Jane Goldsmith |
| Evan Larbi | Evan Larbi |
| Frances Williams | Frances Williams |
| Gabriella Beckles-Raymond | Gabriella Beckles-Raymond |
| Georgina Lawton | Georgina Lawton |
| Inua Ellams | Inua Ellams |
| Irenosen Okojie | Irenosen Okojie |
| Jade Benn | Jade Benn |
| Jasmine Richards | Jasmine Richards |
| Jeffrey Boakye | Jeffrey Boakye |
| Jemilea Wisdom-Baako | Jemilea Wisdom-Baako |
| Jendella Benson | Jendella Benson |
| Jennifer Nansubuga | Jennifer Nansubuga |
| Jessica Lauren Elizabeth | Jessica Lauren Elizabeth |
| Jessica Morgan | Jessica Morgan |
| Johny Pitts | Johny Pitts |
| Kayo Chingonyi | Kayo Chingonyi |
| Kehinde Andrews | Kehinde Andrews |
| Keith Jarrett | Keith Jarrett |
| Kit de Waal | Kit de Waal |
| Kuba Shand-Baptiste | Kuba Shand-Baptiste |
| Kuchenga | Kuchenga |
| Kwadjo Dajan | Kwadjo Dajan |
| Kwame Kwei-Armah | Kwame Kwei-Armah |
| Lisa Bent | Lisa Bent |
| Liv Little | Liv Little |
| Lola Okolosie | Lola Okolosie |
| Louise Hare | Louise Hare |
| Louise Ogunnaike | Louise Ogunnaike |
| Luan Goldie | Luan Goldie |
| Lynda Rosenior-Patt. | Lynda Rosenior-Patt. |
| Lynsey Martenstyn | Lynsey Martenstyn |
| Maame Blue | Maame Blue |
| Magdalene Abraha | Magdalene Abraha |
| Malika Booker | Malika Booker |
| Malorie Blackman | Malorie Blackman |
| Marcus Ryder | Marcus Ryder |
| Marviene Cole | Marviene Cole |
| Melissa Cummings-Quary | Melissa Cummings-Quary |
| Munroe Bergdorf | Munroe Bergdorf |
| Musa Okwonga | Musa Okwonga |
| Nadifa Mohamed | Nadifa Mohamed |
| Nadine Matheson | Nadine Matheson |
| Natalie Carter | Natalie Carter |
| Natasha Bowen | Natasha Bowen |
| Nels Abbey | Nels Abbey |
| Nesrine Malik | Nesrine Malik |
| Nick Makoha | Nick Makoha |
| Nicola Rollock | Nicola Rollock |
| Nicolas Tyrell Scott | Nicolas Tyrell Scott |
| Njambi McGrath | Njambi McGrath |
| Okechukwu Nzelu | Okechukwu Nzelu |
| Oladipo Agboluaje | Oladipo Agboluaje |
| Olumide Popoola | Olumide Popoola |
| Oluwaseun Matiluko | Oluwaseun Matiluko |
| Omega Douglas | Omega Douglas |
| Patrice Lawrence | Patrice Lawrence |
| Paul Gilroy | Paul Gilroy |
| Paul Mendez | Paul Mendez |
| Rachael Corson | Rachael Corson |
| Raymond Antrobus | Raymond Antrobus |
| Sara Collins | Sara Collins |
| Sareeta Domingo | Sareeta Domingo |
| Selina Nwulu | Selina Nwulu |
| Sharmaine Lovegrove | Sharmaine Lovegrove |
| Sharna Jackson | Sharna Jackson |
| Shaun Clarke | Shaun Clarke |
| Simon Osunsade | Simon Osunsade |
| Sir Lenny Henry | Sir Lenny Henry |
| Sofia Akel | Sofia Akel |
| Stella Akinade-Ahmadou | Stella Akinade-Ahmadou |
| Stephen Thompson | Stephen Thompson |
| Symeon Brown | Symeon Brown |
| Tolu Agbelusi | Tolu Agbelusi |
| Uju Asika | Uju Asika |
| Valerie Brandes | Valerie Brandes |
| Yomi Sode | Yomi Sode |
| Yvonne Battle-Felton | Yvonne Battle-Felton |
| Yvvette Edwards | Yvvette Edwards |
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