Speakers announced for Building Inclusivity In Publishing conference

The Publishers Association and The London Book Fair’s Building Inclusivity in Publishing conference (15 November) has announced Crystal Mahey-Morgan, founder of story-telling brand OWN IT!, and Robyn Travis, author of Mama Can’t Raise No Man, as keynote conference speakers.

Alongside the keynote speakers will be some of the biggest names in publishing including speakers from Penguin Random House; Elsevier; Blake Friedmann; Megaphone; New Writing North; And Other Stories; Hachette; Jhalak Prize; Society of Authors; Latimer; Stonewall; HarperCollins; Society of Chief Librarians; SAGE; Barrington Stoke; Bare Lit Fest alongside authors, journalists and librarians.

The day-long conference, which will discuss what the industry can do to ensure the publishing ecosystem reflects British society, will be jointly chaired by broadcaster Rosie Goldsmith and journalist Arifa Akbar.

Speakers and attendees at the conference will examine what obstacles there are to creating an inclusive environment, and agree actions and initiatives to drive change across the industry.

Stephen Lotinga, Chief Executive of The Publishers Association said: “The publishing industry must reflect 21st century Britain. As the source of films, TV programmes, West End shows and video games and with an unrivalled international reach publishing has a responsibility to ensure its content and working environment is representative of the whole of the UK.

“While important steps are being taken by publishers to improve diversity in our industry, there is much more to be done. This summit, by bringing together publishers, literary festivals and booksellers, will challenge attendees to commit to playing their part in putting aside tradition and preconceptions to ensure all of society is able to be involved in the creation, promotion and influence of books.”

The Building Inclusivity in Publishing conference will take place on 15 November at 15 Hatfields, London.  For the full conference programme, list of speakers and to book your place, visit: www.londonbookfair.co.uk/bipconference #inclusivityconf16

Media enquiries: Please contact Dani Freeman Midas PR, Tel:  020 7361 7860,  Daniel.freeman@midaspr.co.uk

Ends

Notes to editors:

Building Inclusivity in Publishing, 15 November, 15 Hatfields London, is a new conference, programmed by The Publishers Association with event management by The London Book Fair (LBF), to address the issues around inclusivity and diversity in publishing. Conference themes will be increasing inclusivity in publishing from discovering new writing talent, diversity in published content, reaching new audiences, diversity in the publishing workforce, accessibility, bookselling and mentoring. The conference will look at progress so far, existing initiatives and organisations as well as discussion of ways to promote diversity across the industry.

Crystal Mahey-Morgan

Crystal Mahey-Morgan has demonstrated throughout her career that publishing benefits from directing content at under-represented audiences; her story-telling brand OWN IT! Speaks directly to consumers who have too often been dismissed by publishing as ‘non-readers’. Crystal will appear with her author Robyn Travis, whose book launch for Mama Can’t Raise No Man last week sold out at Hackney Empire. Crystal and Robyn will challenge the industry’s preconceptions and assumptions, setting the tone for the day.

Arifa Akbar

Arifa Akbar is a journalist, critic and columnist. She is the former literary editor of The Independent, where she worked from 2001 until 2016 as a reporter and arts correspondent before joining the books desk. She now writes for many national newspapers, regularly chairs Festival events and she is also the newly appointed deputy editor of Wasafiri Magazine for International Contemporary Writing.

Rosie Goldsmith

Rosie Goldsmith is an award-winning journalist specializing in arts and current affairs, in the UK and abroad. Known in the UK as a champion of international literature, translation and language learning, she promotes them whenever she can.