Matters of diversity... and why diversity matters
The shortlists for the Books Are My Bag Readers Awards show us why bookshops are so important when it comes to championing diversity.
A 2020 study on diversity in publishing examined the not-exactly-secret problem faced by the industry, with publishers still struggling to find and successfully publish writers of colour. Among the obstacles identified, one key area was diversity in the publishing workforce: by hiring more diversely, the report summarised, publishers could tap into new audiences. After all, as Henry Ford put it, “if you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got”.
Many publishers, rightly, have made this a priority – and will need to continue to do so, not least if they want to continue to attract and retain skilled, experienced, and enthusiastic employees. A recent ADP report found that more than two-thirds of UK workers would look elsewhere if their company had an unfair gender pay gap or lacked a diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) policy.
Those at the coalface of bookselling are well aware of the importance of diversity and inclusion in publishing. A quick glance at the shortlists for this year’s Books Are My Bag Readers Awards – which are chosen by bookshops and voted for by the people who shop in them – makes clear the stark difference between the books which grace traditional bestseller lists and those that booksellers working at community level know their customers want to read.
As a company, one of our core values has always been to support reading for everyone; if you love books, no matter who you are, or what books you love to read, our gift cards are for you. By continuing to invest heavily in high street bookshops, we can ensure that we uphold this value – because it’s in high street bookshops where the diversity of the book-buying public is best represented, responded to, and championed.
Written by Lisa Bywater