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Forty-four authors and figures from the French book industry have signed an op-ed condemning sexual harassment and sexism in French publishing.
The text, written by Caroline Laurent, literary director of publisher Editions Stock, and published on the website of the France Info television channel yesterday (Thursday 6th February), alleges that like in the media and cinema “too many” women have suffered from unwanted sexual overtures or out-of-place comments in the literary world.
Women represent some 75% of publishing employees and 93% of press officers or sales assistants, according to 2016 figures. Editorial assistants are also “over-represented.” But older men still retain many of the top jobs in publishing, France Info said in an article accompanying the op-ed.
Women‚Äôs jobs come “at a price”, the latter text adds. The price can be demanded of young editors, press officers or assistants by star authors, journalists, or hierarchical superiors. Victims do not complain for fear of “killing the goose that lays the golden egg” or losing their job to aspirants queuing to take their place, the text says. Young authors can also pay the price from established editors.
“When you begin your career very young, you are fresh meat on the market,” graphic and fantasy novelist Audrey Alwett, told France Info. The phenomenon is the consequence of an economic system based on power, the symbolism of seduction and money, the op-ed adds. But “the era of silence is over.”
Signatories to the text include Valentine Goby, a former president of the Permanent Council of Writers, Béatrice Duval, director of Livre de Poche (Hachette Livre), and Claire Do S√´rro, foreign acquisitions director of Robert Laffont and Nil (Editis).
The initiative follows the withdrawal from the shelves of Gabriel Matzneff’s personal diaries in reaction to Julliard editorial director Vanessa Springora’s book Consent about her under-age relationship 30 years ago with the author. He had written about his sexual experiences with minors, but had escaped criminal charges and remained respected within literary circles until now.