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Author and JKP marketing executive launches The Trans Publishing Network
Senior marketing executive at Jessica Kingsley Publishers (JKP) and author of A Trans Man Walks into a Gay Bar (JKP), Harry Nicholas, has founded The Trans Publishing Network to “bring together experiences and voices of trans people in UK book publishing".
With the network, Nicholas aims to create a space for trans and non-binary publishing professionals to build connections, find community and flourish, as well as provide a collective voice with which to enact change. It is open to all trans, non-binary people and allies working in book publishing professions in the UK, as well as trans people hoping to break into the industry.
Nicholas said: “Despite trans people being one of the most marginalised groups in our society, there continues to be a lack of trans inclusion in HR policies and reporting, a lack of representation on author panels speaking on diversity and inclusion, and not enough being done to rectify the low numbers of trans people working in the book business.
“I want to provide a positive space for trans and non-binary people working in our industry, encourage trans people to work in all areas of the business, champion trans and non-binary writers, and enact change.”
Nicholas told The Bookseller: "The Trans Publishing Network will enact change by hosting regular events and meet-ups for trans and non-binary publishing staff, championing trans and non-binary authors by hosting panels and book evenings, signposting events and information, as well as working with publishing houses as a collective voice to discuss how they can better represent and include trans and non-binary people."
He continued that while there are “brilliant” LGBT+ networks across some of the bigger publishing houses, like the Pride Network at Hachette, until now “there has been nothing that brings together trans and non-binary people from all areas of the book business, including booksellers, agents and those working on the books themselves across the whole industry".
He said: “We are living in a time where transness is seen as ‘debate’, trans authors are being hounded online and often trans voices are missed from panels discussing diversity and inclusion. The Trans Publishing Network will provide a positive space to come together, collaborate and bring about change in our industry.”
The network can be followed and engaged with @transpublishingnetwork on Instagram, and there is a mailing list (thetranspublishingnetwork@gmail.com) where interested parties can hear about upcoming events.
