Diversity in publishing: total industry vs. interns U.S. 2019

A report investigating diversity in the publishing industry in the United States in 2019 revealed that 76 percent of total employees were white, compared to 51 percent of interns. Interns were generally a more diverse group than other employees in the industry, with white people accounting for more than 70 percent of executives, book reviewers, and literary agents, as well as those working in the editorial, sales, and marketing departments. Interns were also more likely to be LGBT+, identify as genderfluid, genderqueer, or non-binary, or have a self-reported disability. Whilst the efforts made to increase diversity among entry-level staff can be viewed as a step towards greater representation of minority groups, diversity in publishing will only improve overall if these staff are promoted and remain in the business long term.