Women in Publishing

Women in Publishing (WiP) is a London-based group, established in 1979, that works to promote the status of women working in the publishing industry[1] and related trades by helping women to develop their careers.[2] Their founding aims – "to encourage networking, to provide opportunities for sharing information and ideas and to offer training for career and personal development – still stand in the so-called ‘post-feminist’ era, where women dominate the publishing industry by sheer numbers, but have barely broken through the glass ceiling."[2]

History

Women in Publishing was started in 1979. In December that year an open meeting was held in an upstairs room at the Globe pub, opposite Baker Street tube station.[2] Attended by some 100 women, the meeting was chaired by Anne McDermid, with the discussion being led by Liz Calder and Ursula Owen (co-founder with Carmen Callil of the publishing company Virago).[2]

Aims

The stated aims of WiP, which holds meetings on the second Wednesday of each month, are:[2]

• To provide a forum for the discussion of ideas, trends and subjects of interest to women in the publishing trades
• To encourage networking and mutual support among women
• To provide opportunities for sharing information and expertise
• To support and publicise women’s achievements and successes
• To promote the status of women within publishing.

Awards

WiP presents annual awards, chosen by nomination, in two categories:[3]

• The Pandora Award, presented since 1981[4] for significant and sustained contribution to the publishing industry. Winners have included Carole Blake (2013),[5] Marjorie Scardino (2012),[6] Suzanne Collier (2011),[7] WILDE Network (2010),[8] Mslexia (2009),[9] Zed Books (2008),[10] Judy Piatkus (2005),[11] Persephone Books (2002),[12] Honno (2001), Fay Weldon (1997)[13] the Feminist Library (1995),[14] Anita Miller (1996),[15] Margaret Busby (1993),[16] Ros de Lanerolle (1992),[17] Silver Moon Bookshop (1989) and Hazel Cushion.[18]
• The New Venture Award, for pioneering work on behalf of under-represented groups in society.

References

1. "How do I get a job in publishing?" The Society of Young Publishers.
2. "About Us", Women in Publishing website.
3. "Awards", Women in Publishing website.
4. "Jen Hamilton-Emery shortlisted in the 2008 Pandora Award", Salted.
5. "Carole Blake wins Pandora Award", Blake Friedmann, 11 December 2013.
6. Charlotte Williams, "Scardino given Pandora Award", The Bookseller, 12 December 2012.
7. "Suzanne Collier wins the Pandora Award", Bookcareers.com.
8. Leonnie Turner-Bruce, "WILDE Network - Winners of Women in Publishing Pandora Award 2010", We Are the City, 16 March 2012.
9. "Mslexia celebrates first decade by winning Women in Publishing’s 2009 Pandora Award", News from New Writing North: 8 January 2010.
10. "Zed Books wins the Pandora Award for 2008", UK Worker Co-operatives, 22 December 2008.
11. "The Literator", The Independent, 6 January 2006.
12. Persephone Press Newsletter, Spring 2003.
13. Franklin Birkinshaw, "Fay Weldon Analysis", ENotes.
14. "Feminist Library may be forced close", LondonSE1, 30 March 2004.
15. Wukas, Mark (December 22, 1996). "Chicago Woman Wins Award". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
16. "Black Power: Photographs by Donald MacLellan. 13 February – 14 June, 1998", National Portrait Gallery press release.
17. Cheryl Law, "De Lanerolle, Ros", Women, A Modern Political Dictionary, I.B. Tauris, 2000, p. 202.
18. "Press Release: Prizes and Awards - Mslexia Celebrates Their First Decade By Winning Women In Publishing's 2009 Pandora Award!" Book2book, 21 December 2009.

External links

• Women in Publishing official website.