Diversity in publishing
Last year, the Diversity in Publishing Network (DipNet) took up residence on the first floor of Book House, one floor below the Publishing Training Centre's offices. We decided to find out more about our new neighbours.
As we reported in the July 2006 edition of On Course, the Publishing Training Centre is working with Arts Council England to help spread diversity throughout the publishing industry. A mentoring programme was developed with the help of several UK publishers and since then, one or two trainees from diverse ethnic backgrounds have been appointed on work placement schemes for up to a year, and for each of them, the PTC is providing up to four days of free training per annum.
The Diversity in Publishing Network (DipNet), launched in February 2005, and, supported by decibel, seeks to promote diversity within the publishing world. DipNet was established in response to the issues raised in 2004 when the Arts Council England and The Bookseller conducted a survey into the state of cultural diversity in publishing.
The first ever survey of its kind, In Full Colour found that nearly half the people working within publishing who were surveyed felt that they were working in a 'white, middle-class ghetto'. In Full Colour also found that management levels were almost exclusively white and that representation in other areas was poor.
DipNet aims to promote the status and contribution of people from diverse ethnic groups in all areas of publishing, as well as to provide a forum for discussion. The network will encourage debate on all areas within the publishing process by programming a series of events throughout the year. These will cover topics relating to editorial, sales and marketing through to issues affecting authors, illustrators, booksellers and the end users - book buyers. Support for people working within publishing, as well as those seeking to enter publishing, is also part of its remit.
DipNet founders Alison Morrison and Elise Dillsworth have a combined experience of 26 years in the publishing industry. They both feel that there is an urgent commercial and cultural need for a forum to tackle these issues and promote changes within the industry. They recognise that the network can only help to highlight issues, and that real change needs to happen from within publishing houses themselves.
Alison Morrison says: 'The Diversity in Publishing network will encourage discussion and debate around the publishing industry, and we are confident that this will lead to greater opportunities for all. From the publishing workforce through to authors, illustrators and the book-buying public, the potential for positive change in all areas is unlimited.'
Elise Dillsworth comments: 'The Diversity in Publishing Network is designed to encourage people from diverse cultural backgrounds to enter publishing by providing opportunity and support through various initiatives. I believe that the industry should be less of an exclusive club. The more open it is, the richer an environment it will be to work in - and as such, will ultimately benefit publishing and the book world as a whole.'
If you want to find out more about DipNet, please visit www.diversityinpublishing.com or email info@diversityinpublishing.com.
Stumble Upon: 
Digg: Del.icio.us: 
Reddit: 
Facebook: 