Shadow World Anatomy of a Cancellation: 3. The Paper Trail
Nov 7, 2025
In this discussion, Onamik Saha, a Professor of race and media at the University of Leeds, shares insights from his research on diversity in publishing. He delves into the internal chaos at Pan Macmillan amid the backlash against Kate Clanchy’s memoir. Saha reveals how publishing executives often envision a single archetype reader, which narrows representation. He also discusses the heightened scrutiny of the publishing industry following the George Floyd protests, exposing the risks faced by both authors and publishers in a politically charged environment.
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The 'Susie' Reader Limits Publishing
- Publishers often imagine a single reader persona which shapes commissioning and editing decisions.
- This 'Susie' mindset narrows the types of books published and excludes other audiences and voices.
How Publishers Box Authors Of Colour
- Publishers often tell Black and Asian authors "we don't know what to do with that," limiting creative freedom.
- That euphemism enforces narrow expectations about what marginalized authors should write.
Rejected Because It Didn't Fit A Shelf
- Manisha Rajesh recalled her first book was rejected because editors couldn't see where it would sit on a bookshelf.
- Her book eventually found its place between Tim Parks and Paul Theroux, contradicting the initial gatekeeping.
