Pan Mac, Hachette, HarperCollins and PRH to host industry-wide LGBTQIA+ social

A joint social event organised by co-chairs from Pan Macmillan, Hachette, HarperCollins and Penguin Random House’s LGBTQIA+ networks is being held on the rooftop of the London Hachette offices on Thursday 5th October.

Free copies of LGBTQIA+ books from all four of the publishers will be available for attendees to take away at the event and the networks also aim to create a joint mailing list for highlighting upcoming LGBTQIA+ books in the future.

The event is open to anyone working in publishing who identifies as LGBTQIA+. Anyone who wishes to attend is is invited to email HUK.HacPride@hachette.co.uk via their work email address by Tuesday 3rd October.

Becky Lushey, co-chair of Pan Macmillan’s Pride network, said that “in order to enact real change in publishing, it’s important for us to build industry-wide networks that can help to bolster the voices of LGBTQIA+ employees”, saying “we want to create a community that not only helps to champion LGBTQIA+ stories, but also provides support when facing issues of prejudice and discrimination".

“This social is a great opportunity for members of our networks to get together to share ideas and have a bit of fun! We hope this will be the beginning of more long-term industry-wide collaboration,” she said.  

Charlie Castelletti, co-chair of Pan Macmillan’s Pride network, said: "I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to connect with networks across the industry over the past few months. It’s a real pleasure to be bringing us all together as one voice."

Hachette Pride co-chair Lea Albrechtsen added: “Creating cross-industry connections for staff has been a goal of mine and Oliver Martin’s since we started as co-chairs. We’re so excited about this event, and we’re looking forward to a fun, informal evening with other queer book people.”