Abstracts
Abstract
Based upon a unique empirical study on diversity in UK publishing involving over 110 interviews with publishers, this paper explores the obstacles facing authors of colour. While the underrepresentation of authors from minoritized backgrounds is generally seen as a problem of acquisition, we identify what political economist Nicholas Garnham calls the “cultural distribution” stage as the most critical for authors of colour. Specifically, we demonstrate how racialized assumptions about audiences as articulated and mobilized by people working in promotion, sales, and retail impede the progress of these authors. We argue that racial inequalities in publishing are a product of how racially and ethnically minoritized audiences are undervalued, culturally as well as economically. Adopting a postcolonial cultural economy approach, we identify the areas where antiracist activism needs to be focused in order to address racial inequalities in publishing in a more impactful way.
Keywords:
- Diversity,
- racial inequalities,
- racism,
- marketing,
- book selling
Résumé
Le présent article explore certains obstacles auxquels se butent les autrices et auteurs de couleur. Il s’appuie sur une étude empirique de la diversité dans le monde de l’édition au Royaume‑Uni rassemblant entre autres quelque 110 entrevues menées auprès d’éditrices et d’éditeurs. La sous‑représentation des autrices et auteurs issus de minorités est la plupart du temps perçue comme un problème d’acquisition; selon nous, l’enjeu le plus critique pour les autrices et les auteurs de couleur est plutôt ce que l’économiste politique Nicholas Garnham qualifie de « distribution culturelle ». Plus précisément, nous montrons de quelle manière ces autrices et auteurs sont affectés par les présomptions racisées que formulent et entretiennent, à propos des lectorats, les personnes travaillant à la promotion, à la distribution et à la vente des livres. Nous postulons que les inégalités raciales observables dans le monde de l’édition sont le produit d’une dévaluation des lectorats issus de minorités ethniques et raciales, dévaluation à la fois culturelle et économique. Partant d’une approche de l’économie culturelle qui se veut postcoloniale, nous identifions les lieux qu’aurait intérêt à investir le militantisme antiracisme afin de s’attaquer à ces inégalités de façon plus efficace.
Mots-clés :
- Diversité,
- inégalités raciales,
- racisme,
- marketing,
- vente de livres
Appendices
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