by VIDA
Our most recent count examines the contents of the Best American anthologies in poetry, fiction, and essays. When we released our 2010 Count back in February, a common response from our readers was a request for more information about the data behind our pie charts. With that in mind, we have expanded our presentation to include the tables shown below, which are based on the spreadsheets we use to generate our Count pie charts. We think these tables better represent the data, and reveal more of the complex set of questions and issues raised by it.
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by VIDA
“Numbers don’t lie.” “What counts is the bottom line.”
Such sayings sound definitive, like the dead-end of a boring story. But as these facts come to light–no longer imagined or guessed at–so does the truth of publishing disparities, the unfortunate footing from which we can begin to change the face of publishing. We are no longer guessing if the world is flat or round; we are wondering how to get from point A to B now that the rules of navigation are public and much clearer. Questions long denied will lead us to new awareness, to challenge current publishing practices, and to query the merits of selection on the level of individual publications and review journals alike. (more…)
by Amy King
From Publishers Weekly: “This year we took our annual slugfest to the pub underneath our new office and came up with a list of the year’s top 100 books that could be our best ever.” VIDA takes a look at the outcome of PW’s “slugfest” and considers the results in light of last year’s breakdown. Cheers!
by Amy King
This month we take a look at the Academy Awards given between 1995 – 2010. While we were pleased to find a number of the Academy prizes reflected a gender-balance, the few that reflected what should be the “old” balance, presented new questions to consider.
by Amy King
This month, we counted the number of books reviewed by authors’ gender in the 2010 issues of Publishers Weekly (through the August 23 issue). We hope you’ll join us in wondering aloud what these numbers can tell us about current publishing trends.
by Amy King
The Best of 2009 lists are held under the lens of gender parity.
