Canongate as a company is committed to proactively pursuing policies that promote equity, diversity and inclusion. It’s vitally important to us that both our staff and authors feel supported and valued – especially those from marginalised communities – and that this is borne out not just in rhetoric but in practical action. Like most companies, there are many ways in which we can improve and we’re working to do that, through both immediate and longer-term shifts in company policy, and the ways in which we work and publish. Publishing as an industry urgently needs to do better if it’s to reflect the full range of voices found in society, and we want to be part of the solution and not the problem.
1. We are actively working to ensure that all aspects of EDI (equity, diversity, inclusion) are embedded and maintained throughout the business, and become integrated into the way in which we work.
2. From the way we commission, design, market and sell our books, we aim to ensure that underrepresented voices are heard in all parts of our publishing process.
3. We commit to undertaking regular training sessions to help us identify and counter our biases, and ensure we are proactively considering our staff and authors’ needs.
4. We will continue to improve equity, diversity and inclusion in our hiring processes, reaching out to a broad range of communities in our recruitment – including those historically excluded from publishing.
5. We commit to integrating equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of the business, including feedback from a cross-departmental EDI group who liaise with the Board to recommend and advocate for new policies to ensure the business has an inclusive and fair culture.
6. We will continue to contribute to the Independent Alliance’s Diversity and Inclusion Group, pushing for wider change across the industry. We are signatories of the Independent Alliance’s Diversity and Inclusion Statement and of the Publishers Association Inclusivity Action Plan and are committed to honouring both.
7. We will continue to provide opportunities, resources and support for under-represented writers through initiatives such as the Nan Shepherd Prize.