ald. One of the more famous signatories is Chocolat author Joanne Harris, who, whilst head of the Society of Authors, was content to let crickets chirp whilst women in her industry were hounded, slandered and discriminated against….
Publishing is one of the worst sectors for political conformism and related bullying, which cannot be separated from the fact that it is one of the most hyper-feminised industries, dominated by women at all levels including the top. Glass ceiling victories aside, there is something about the feigned egalitarianism of female competitiveness that translates depressingly well to modern publishing culture.
The key to successful sabotage and status-gain is, as any wily mean girl knows, covertness. Agents and publishers are snowed under with proposals and pitches. It’s a cut-throat, jealous and business-led world that operates behind a facade of hope, creativity and reward for perseverance. Which is why publishing was fated to become enmeshed in the DEI paradox, where diversity, equity and inclusion are pursued through conformity, discrimination and exclusion.
All those awfully nice people keeping a tight grip on the type of awfully nice person that can be allowed in to their lovely creative inclusive little world.
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