Building Inclusivity in Publishing conference returns in November

The Building Inclusivity in Publishing conference, run by the London Book Fair and the Publishers Association, will return for a second year on 13th November 2017.

Entitled 'Building Inclusivity in Publishing – Reflecting All: Effecting Change', and chaired by the BBC’s Razia Iqbal, the conference will highlight the action currently being taken to improve diversity across the publishing industry, while exploring what more needs to be done to ensure equal representation.

Spanning the entire publishing process, from author to reader, this year’s conference will revisit some of the pledges made at last year’s conference and encourage delegates to make new pledges. Key themes will include BAME progression and the commercial imperative, getting more writers from minorities published, supporting employees with disabilities in the workplace, and the importance of role models in the workforce.

Building Inclusivity in Publishing is open to all those working in the book industry and the wider creative industries, and attendees include booksellers, agents, authors, literary festival and event organisers, and publishers.

The full-day programme will feature a range of speakers from beyond the publishing industry, including Selma Nicholls, founder of Looks Like Me, a talent and casting agency for underrepresented groups; Nancy Roberts, founder of Business Inclusivity, a social enterprise supporting greater inclusivity in boardrooms; and Jamie Beddard of Diverse City, an organisation committed to diversity and equality in the arts.

Orna O’Brien, conference manager of The London Book Fair, said she hopes the conference will help to move "important debates" around diversity and inclusivity forward.

“In recent years the publishing industry has made big strides towards becoming more accessible and inclusive - whether that be through publishing more books by BAME authors or adopting recruitment policies which reflect the diversity of society as a whole", she said. "But there is much more to do, many more important conversations to be had and so many lessons to learn from others. We’re delighted to be bringing the conference back for a second instalment and are excited to deliver an even stronger programme which helps to move these important debates forward, and in a small way help effect change.”

Emma House, deputy c.e.o. at the Publishers Association, added: "Building inclusivity continues to be a priority within all aspects of the book ecosystem, whether in the publishing workforce or in the content publishers produce. This conference is a must for all publishers so that they can learn about best practice within the industry and join the conversation about what more publishers can do to ensure the industry becomes more representative of the UK population.

"Following the launch of the PA inclusivity action plan we are delighted that this event, now in its second year, will keep the momentum going on this important issue and provide further support to publishers looking to implement new initiatives and schemes to increase inclusivity in their organisations."

Tickets are now available from the London Book Fair website.