By Erin L. Cox | @ErinLCox

PP Spring Magazine: Focus on Diversity

At a time when so many international publishing markets are seeing nationalist and isolationist movements challenge diverse voices and inclusivity, publishers and authors are working to bridge divides, often bringing unique stories to new lands and giving a platform to the disenfranchised.

Simon & Schuster CEO Carolyn Reidy heralded the responsibility of publishers in her CEO Talk comments at the Frankfurter Buchmesse last fall, saying, “Our need to defend freedom of expression against mob rule is becoming more essential than ever.”

And at the International Publishers Conference this weekend (February 10 to 14) in New Delhi, publishers from 60 nations are discussing the social responsibility that publishers hold, both at home and abroad.

Publishing Perspectives will focus on diversity in publishing in our upcoming Spring Magazine, which will be distributed at the London Book Fair and published as a PDF on our website.

This edition will highlight:

• Events including the London Book Fair and Frankfurter Buchmesse, which bring together publishers and rights specialists from around the world. How do these events and conferences help build a global network for storytelling and education?
• Editors who make it their mission to publish new voices. How are many forms of multiculturalism expressed when issues of gender, race, sexual orientation, and socio-economics are all in play daily in the news?
• Rights professionals who are expanding their reach to new markets and building connections across national borders.
• Market experts with deep-field experience in current challenges. Where are the most promising developments for publishers now competing with digital entertainment?
• Technology that allows publishers to offer and trade in rights more easily. Which are the most important coming trends to take advantage of?
• Direct challenges to copyright protection and freedom to publish. How can the publishing industry best respond?

As Juergen Boos, director of the Frankfurter Buchmesse, said in an interview last year, “One of the biggest concerns currently is the fragile state of the freedom of speech, which is under attack. So, what can we do as an industry? We must interfere.” And we look forward to sharing your stories of that “interference” in our Spring Magazine.

For story suggestions: contact our Editor-in-Chief, Porter Anderson, at porter@publishingperspectives.com.

For advertising or guaranteed placement: contact Business Development Director Erin L. Cox at erin@publishingperspectives.com.