The book trade’s summer party season has been in full swing these past couple of weeks, including celebrations for Oneworld (40th anniversary), Nosy Crow (15th), Bonnier Books (midsummer) and Boldwood (summer). I realise my social diary does not an editorial make, but parties are not just about the fizz and the gossip, they are also intended to make a mark – a show of confidence, perhaps, or of intent. Sometimes, they are also a sign of renewal or of defiance.

Here, I am referring principally to three events held in the same week. The first of these was hosted by a new, but important, collective, the Jewish Publishing Circle, whose debut summer soirée was held – on Hachette’s charming roof terrace – as part of Jewish Culture Month. The event was marked by its warmth but also, for me, the make-up of those who attended – I counted many from publishing’s C-suite as well as representatives from the Publishers Association, the Society of Authors and Index on Censorship. This was a show of support, and a welcome one. Hosting such an event today involves police protection officers on the doors, as well as additional security inside.

Former Transworld MD Larry Finlay, one of the two founders – the other being Stephanie Thwaites, head of the books department at Curtis Brown – spoke with authority and poignancy at the start of the event. There was no JPC before October 2023, he said, and no one felt the need. But that has changed. Finlay said: “The fact that we have to fight against anti-Jewish racism within the industry that I love so much is something I never anticipated there being a need for.” I find these words – that they are said, and need to be said – remarkable. You should, too.

Both Lyse Doucet and Virginia Evans spoke of the sense of solidarity the Women’s Prize brings with it – a place at the table, as Evans said.

Two days later, I was back on the same roof terrace to celebrate the Jhalak Prize, on its 10th anniversary. I am a big fan of Jhalak: I think it is an important award (now three prizes) and well supported by Hachette, National Book Tokens and Bookshop.org. Jhalak is more than just a prize now, and its output includes Jhalak Review (distributed twice a year with The Bookseller). As its co-founder Sunny Singh said on the evening: “For the past decade, we have helped expand representation, fostered public imagination and built community through literature. Stories shape how we as individuals and communities see ourselves. Jhalak hopes to build a more expansive and participatory literary culture – and by extension society – for the next decade and beyond.” Jhalak needs that wider support, too. The big publishers are well represented on its shortlists, but I saw too few from the top of these groups at the party.

The Women’s Prize is the hottest ticket of the season, combining all of those things I mentioned earlier – confidence, intent, renewal and defiance. Its two winners, across Fiction and Non-Fiction, were particularly on message. Both Lyse Doucet and Virginia Evans spoke of the sense of solidarity the prize brings with it – a place at the table, as Evans said, or a “warm hug”, as Doucet had it. “May there be a Women’s Prize as long as there are women on this earth,” Doucet added.

At one point, I was asked whether I felt uncomfortable attending a “women’s prize”. This misses the point of that prize, which in supporting women’s writing is inclusive, not exclusive. But the question made me think. I rarely feel uncomfortable at book trade events – it is my privilege as editor of this magazine, but also because of who and what I am. I am mindful that not everyone feels the same way. Our embrace of each other could be wider. Together is how we win, said Doucet. She is right.