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"How do I get a job in publishing?" The Society of Young Publishers. and related trades by helping women to develop their careers."About Us", Women in Publishing website. 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."
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. 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).
Aims The stated aims of WiP, which holds meetings on the second Wednesday of each month, are: 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 publicize women's achievements and successes To promote the status of women within publishing.
Awards WiP presents annual awards, chosen by nomination, in two categories:"Awards", Women in Publishing website.
The Pandora Award, presented since 1981"Jen Hamilton-Emery shortlisted in the 2008 Pandora Award", Salted. for significant and sustained contribution to the publishing industry. Winners have included Carole Blake (2013),"Carole Blake wins Pandora Award", Blake Friedmann, 11 December 2013. Marjorie Scardino (2012),Charlotte Williams, "Scardino given Pandora Award", The Bookseller, 12 December 2012. Suzanne Collier (2011),"Suzanne Collier wins the Pandora Award", Bookcareers.com. WILDE Network (2010),Leonnie Turner-Bruce, "WILDE Network - Winners of Women in Publishing Pandora Award 2010", We Are the City, 16 March 2012. Mslexia (2009),"Mslexia celebrates first decade by winning Women in Publishing’s 2009 Pandora Award", News from New Writing North: 8 January 2010. Zed Books (2008),"Zed Books wins the Pandora Award for 2008", UK Worker Co-operatives, 22 December 2008. Judy Piatkus (2005),"The Literator", The Independent, 6 January 2006. Persephone Books (2002),Persephone Press Newsletter, Spring 2003. Honno (2001), Fay Weldon (1997)Franklin Birkinshaw, "Fay Weldon Analysis", ENotes. the Feminist Library (1995),"Feminist Library may be forced close", LondonSE1, 30 March 2004. Anita Miller (1996), Margaret Busby (1993),"Black Power: Photographs by Donald MacLellan. 13 February – 14 June, 1998", National Portrait Gallery press release. Ros de Lanerolle (1992),Cheryl Law, "De Lanerolle, Ros", Women, A Modern Political Dictionary, I.B. Tauris, 2000, p. 202. Silver Moon Bookshop (1989) and Hazel Cushion."Press Release: Prizes and Awards - Mslexia Celebrates Their First Decade By Winning Women In Publishing's 2009 Pandora Award!" Book2book, 21 December 2009. The New Venture Award, for pioneering work on behalf of under-represented groups in society.
References
Further reading Claire Battershill, Alice Staveley and Nicola Wilson, "General Introduction Making Fields: Women in Publishing",
External links Women in Publishing official website.