Book Ends By Sustained Theatre - 29 October, 2008

The publishing industry is known to suffer a real lack of diversity in its workforce. So, how is it working to change and fully reflect the areas it operates in?

Nile Bailey, Sustained Theatre launch, Rich Mix London, 2008[Annaliese Comelab]

Arts Council England have worked in conjunction with decibel on delivering a three year programme to boost diversity in the publishing industry. Set up in December 2004 and collaborating initially with Faber & Faber and Random House, the 'positive action traineeships' for applicants from a non-white background were eventually rolled out across 12 publishing houses, literary agencies and booksellers.

It's never easy getting one's foot in the door in the 'creative industries'; and if the under-representation of ethnic minorities in the literary world (as investigated in reports by trade bible, The Bookseller) are anything to go by, it's even harder for Black, South/East Asian and 'other' candidates.

This month, Arts Council England have published their findings and conclusions from the programme in their "Diversity in Publishing" report. They've thoroughly researched the outcomes, impact, added value and reach of the traineeships offered...so, have they been successful? How has the publishing industry responded to the programme and its aims long-term, and where are the trainees now?

Download and read the full report in our Archive, here: Diversity in Publishing (pdf)

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