A Critique on Who Was Missing
As an eager publishing student, I was excited to make my way down the dark alley off Broughton Street, feeling slightly lost and as if I were heading into the unknown. I swiftly located the doors of The Outhouse, hidden from the eye by scaffolding, made my way inside, and climbed the dark stairs to a room that would contain my first Edinburgh Literary Salon. The organisers rolled out all the stops (name tags and free bookmarks) as I sipped my drink, excited for what lay ahead.
Independent bookshops and literary events are often celebrated as inclusive spaces, championing diverse voices and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities to be heard. However, after leaving September’s Literary Salon, I couldn’t help but question whether the diversity represented on the page, and by the events being publicised, was reflected in the people occupying the room.
There was much to celebrate; amongst the crowd there was also a noticeable range of ages, demonstrating that literary spaces can unite people from different generations. Events publicised at the Salon created space for conversations around queerness and gender identity. Other events highlighted included a Palestine Solidarity Night and a South Asian Resistance talk with Taj Ali hosted at Lighthouse Bookshop. These events demonstrate a willingness to engage with important political and cultural conversations. Yet, I could not help but notice the lack of racial diversity within the crowd.
As a white, cisgender woman, I recognise I am not necessarily the best person to speak on behalf of those whose experiences differ from my own. Nevertheless, I believe it is important to acknowledge what I observed and question why this disparity might exist. This raises an important question: how inclusive are our literary spaces if the people attending them do not reflect the diversity of the voices being championed?
Independent publishing houses and bookshops increasingly emphasise diversity and representation. Publishers are making conscious choices to bring a wider range of stories, authors, and perspectives to readers by “diversifying their teams” (The Bookseller Editorial Team). However, we must ask who feels welcome, who has access to these spaces, and who is missing from the conversations taking place within them?
This issue feels particularly relevant as I undertake an MSc in publishing – a course where I have noticed a significant lack of racial diversity. If the publishing industry hopes to become more representative, that change must extend beyond the books produced and events held. Publishing must involve people entering the industry, shaping its decisions, and participating in its literary communities.
I recognise that my experience is limited to one Literary Salon – and I do not want to draw sweeping conclusions from a single event. Instead, I hope this reflection encourages further thought. How can literary communities and universities move beyond representing diversity in their programming to cultivating audiences that are equally diverse?
The next time I attend the Literary Salon, I hope to see greater racial representation in the crowd. More importantly, I hope that continued conversations about diversity will encourage the publishing industry to consider not just whose stories are being told, but also who is being invited to listen.
Sources:
The Bookseller Editorial Team. “Independent Publishers Making Progress on Diversity and Flexibility, New IPG Report Says.” The Bookseller, 9 July 2024, www.thebookseller.com/news/independent-publishers-making-progress-on-diversity-and-flexibilty-new-ipg-report-says.
“Come what may, we’re here to stay: Taj Ali shares the story of South Asian resistance in Britain.” Youtube, uploaded by Lighthouse Bookshop, 25 September 2026, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDNiGY128Qs.
