All there in black and white
All There in Black and White?
Laura Atkins reports on the launch of DIPNet a new organisation which aims to make the publishing industry more culturally diverse
Anyone who has worked in the UK publishing industry will know that, for the most part, it is a white-dominated world. A new organisation, the Diversity in Publishing Network (or DIPNet) has formed to try to change this situation. The group's mission is 'to promote the status and contribution of diverse ethnic groups within all areas of publishing, as well as support those seeking to enter the industry'. To help achieve this they will provide a forum for discussion, sharing of information, mutual support and practical advice.
Founded by co-chairs Alison Morrison, UK Marketing Director for Walker Books, and Elise Dillsworth, Editor for Virago Press, DIPNet is run by a committee of people who are actively involved in promoting the aims of the organisation. DIPNet held its official launch party on 8 February 2005 at The Bridge, an atmospheric space under the arches of London Bridge.
After an introduction by Alison Morrison and Elise Dillsworth, Christine Martin, Managing Director of The Bookseller, offered her words of support for the organization, followed by Samenua Sesher, Programme Manager of the informative Decibel survey on diversity in publishing at the Arts Council.
Diran Adebayo, author and journalist, provided thoughtful and challenging comments about the publishing industry and the frequent lack of understanding about the nuances between the black and white communities, saying that much of what gets published is geared towards a white readership. Margaret Busby, co-founder of Allison & Busby, talked about her many years of experience in the industry, noting how little has changed. She highlighted the importance of this issue: 'It's not about patronage, not affirmative action we're talking about here - we're talking about the life of a country's literature.'
The room was filled with diverse faces, leading Alison Morrison to comment: 'This is the first publishing event I have been to that has such a variety of people standing within it.'
As the first in a series of organised events, a panel discussion was held on 8 March at Penguin Books on the Strand. The question discussed was the provocative 'Do large publishing houses have too much power and too little responsibility?'. This was amplified on the DIPnet website as a focus on 'the responsibility of large publishing houses in promoting diversity - in both personnel and publishing output. Is publishing a business, acting only under the constraints of business law, with no ethical or moral case to answer? Why is diversity an issue - and does it matter?'
The panel was chaired by Joy Francis, and included Joanna Prior, the Group Marketing Director for Penguin Books, and Verna Wilkins, Founder of Tamarind Books. Joanna Prior discussed the initiatives and efforts currently being made by Penguin to attract more diverse staff and authors, but acknowledged that there is a long way to go. Verna Wilkins spoke of her inspiration to found Tamarind, a multicultural children's publisher, with her realisation of the powerful influence of literature and images on a child's sense of self. She said: 'If the images in a book exclude you, how does that exclude you from life?'
There was a lively discussion and debate when the audience was invited to contribute, providing a large variety of perspectives, again from a more diverse group than one usually sees at a publishing event - allowing different voices to be heard.
The DIPNet website is extensive and informative, and members get access to all areas, including information about getting published, finding jobs in the publishing industry, and case studies from some who are already there. Full membership costs 0, allowing entry to all events as well as full web access. Information on the website includes the organisation's full constitution and further details about its goals and planned activities. The importance of its work is highlighted in the many messages of support which are posted there by people such as Hari Kunzru, Andrea Levy, Ken Livingstone and Bali Rai.
One hopes that with the efforts of organisations like DIPNet, the publishing industry and the books produced will some day accurately reflect the world in which we live. With so much of the publishing industry based in London, which has a non-white population of close to 30%, the publishing industry can do a great deal to reach a broader and more diverse market.