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NEWSLETTER: March 2007
Three months in and 2007 is already shaping up to be a very exciting year at DIPNet. In this newsletter we're pleased to announce the next round of Arts Council England Positive Action Traineeships, a preview of our Diversity in Publishing research and we've got some great Recommended Reads to commemorate the bicentenary of the 1807 Act of Parliament which marked the beginning of the end of Slavery in the former British Empire.
But before you read on, we'd just like to remind you that our success relies on your support. If you have any ideas, suggestions or even news that you'd like to share across the network, let us know.
The Diversity in Publishing Network
Book House
45 East Hill
London SW18 2QZ
Tel: 020 8871 1106
email: seandipnet@aol.com
DIPNET MEMBERSHIP
A reminder that we are now only charging a one-off joining fee, which is deliberately set at low levels - £10 for full-time employees, £5 for part-time and free to students. Please ensure you spread the word to any friends or colleagues who may be interested.
Membership benefits include unlimited access to the website, an archive of advice and articles relating to jobs in publishing, information about diversity events and invitations to quarterly `open' meetings.
http://www.diversityinpublishing.com/Membership
MARKET RESEARCH
April 13th 2007 will see the publication of Ethnic Diversity in Publishing: a research study, a report commissioned by DIPNet, which will provide a comprehensive and statistically accurate picture of cultural diversity within the UK book publishing industry.
Between March and June 2006, Book Marketing Ltd. (BML) collated data with a target list of 60 publishers and the results are now in. The report will be officially launched to the press and public on Friday 13th April, but as a DIPNet member you will receive an advance announcement on the morning of the 12th. By way of a preview to this groundbreaking study, here are a few key facts and figures:
Based on the total sample:
∑ Only 3% of employees at director level come from a BME background.
∑ Only 2% of BME respondents work in editorial roles.
∑ Those from a BME background account for 7.6% of women in publishing, but only 4.0% of men.
Look out for the full announcement on the 12th April. This will be an exclusive preview for DIPNet members only.
RECOMMENDED READS
We're always adding to our list of recommended reads, so if there's something you just have to share, let us know. This month check out a list of titles dedicated to the Bicentenary of the 1807 Slave Trade Act which was commemorated on Sunday 25th of March 2007.
http://www.diversityinpublishing.com/Recommended-Reads
MENTORING
Arts Council England is launching another traineeship, hosted by UK publishers Bloomsbury, Faber and Faber, and Little, Brown Book Group. In an unprecedented alliance, these three major publishers have decided to join forces to tackle the issue of under-representation of Black and Minority Ethnic groups in the industry. They are offering a successful applicant from a Black African, Caribbean, Asian or Chinese background a 6-month traineeship covering key areas of the business.
Bloomsbury will start with a two-month programme of Editorial training. Little, Brown Book Group will then take over and provide training in Marketing and Publicity for a further two months. Faber and Faber will end the training cycle with a two-month placement in Sales. The traineeship will start on 7th May and end on 26th October 2007.
If you are interested in applying for a traineeship, visit:
http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/pressnews/news_detail.php?rid=3&id=587
We are always looking for more people to be involved in the mentoring scheme, so if you are a senior manager at a publishing house and would like to be involved, please let us know at: info@diversityinpublishing.com
MEETINGS
The next DIPNet committee meeting will be held on Monday 30th of April. Please forward any issues to be raised to the DipNet administrator at info@diversityinpublishing.com.
SPONSORS
DIPNet would like to thank the following sponsors for their financial support of the organisation: Arts Council England, Ethedo Press, Frances Lincoln, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Mantra Lingua, Profile Books, Random House Group Ltd, Screenbase Media Ltd, Tamarind Books, The Islamic Foundation, Time Warner Books and Walker Books. For weblinks to all of these organisations visit:
http://www.diversityinpublishing.com/About-Us/Sponsors
If you would be interested in sponsoring any aspect of DIPNet's future programme - including events and awards - please contract the Administrator at:
info@diversityinpublishing.com
NOTICEBOARD
The Book Bus: Zambia 2007
There's no two ways about it, Tom Maschler has done his bit for the publishing industry. In a career spanning 40 years, he secured Jonathan Cape's place at the centre of the literary universe in the 1960s, published a string of Nobel prize-winning authors and was the man behind the creation of the Booker prize. And now he needs something back.
The Book Bus project, which Maschler is championing, will take a converted British Bus (decorated by the artist Quentin Blake) to Zambia. From June 2007, accompanied by an entourage of well known authors and artists, the bus will visit remote villages, schools, orphanages and HIV/AIDS hospitals on a five month tour. The bus will remain in each location for several days, pitch a tent for use as a library and entertainment space, and engage the local kids in an array of activities including reading, drawing and painting. They'll also leave a number of books at each stop.
The Book Bus is a UK registered charity and is in need of ongoing support. If you can spare time, expertise, or money then get in touch with project organisers at t.maschler@hotmail.com or on 020 8769 2116.
The Creative Collective: website for aspiring writers.
Words of Colour Productions, a community enterprise recently established to nurture and train a new generation of writers from diverse communities, has just launched a new website - www.wordsofcolour.co.uk
Colourful and informative, the website features book reviews, interviews with leading writers, a guest spot for budding writers to talk about their creative journeys, a forum for guests to share their news and views on topical issues, and details of our training programmes.
The launch website includes an exclusive interview with award-winning playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah who reveals why he is flying to Baltimore USA next month to direct his first ever play. To find out more go to www.wordsofcolour.co.uk/interviews.