The demand for diverse books and authors has never been more important and the Canadian publishing industry has gathered a working group of professionals to examine how information about equity, diversity & inclusion is shared. While numerous opportunities and efficiencies exist to share information about a book’s content to improve their discoverability in the marketplace, the industry is considering how best to communicate information about the creators behind those products, particularly when the creator’s identity is concerned. So-called “identity marketing” is an emerging opportunity for creators’ books to be discovered in an increasingly congested market and for readers to read books crafted from a lived experience. As the Canadian industry considers best practices for the collection, storage, and dissemination of creator identity information as a part of supply chain practices, the Canadian Bibliographic Committee (a national committee of the non-profit organization BookNet Canada) struck the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in Metadata Working Group in September 2020 with the ultimate objective of advising the Canadian publishing industry in selecting the wisest course of action to communicate equity, diversity & inclusion information about books and creators. In the interest of involving creators in that discussion, as primary stakeholders to the question of how creator identity information should be shared, the Working Group hosted a webinar to share its work to-date and to start a process where creators can join the conversation.

1. Welcome to the webinar! We’ll get started soon.
To make sure you can hear the presentation, click the “join
audio” button and connect either by computer or phone.
1

2. Canadian Creators & Metadata
in the Publishing Supply Chain
A Dialogue

3. Hello!
I am Lauren
Operations Director @ BookNet
Canada
*she/her*
3
Image credit: Iris Amelia for Lauren Stewart

4. 1.
Welcome &
introduction
Setting the stage for today’s conversation

5. “
Quotations are commonly printed as a means
of inspiration and to invoke philosophical
thoughts from the reader.
5
Land & territorial
acknowledgement
Image credit: native-land.ca

6. Some tech notes
▪ To make sure you can hear the presentation, click the
“join audio” button and connect either by computer or
phone.
6
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7. Some tech notes
▪ To see what others are saying and to ask questions,
open the chat window or use the Q&A functionality.
7
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8. Some tech notes
▪ Technical difficulties? Let us know in the chat or email
us at equitywg@booknetcanada.ca
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9. Code of Conduct
▪ Do:
▫ Be kind
▫ Be inclusive
▫ Be respectful of others, including their privacy
▫ Be aware of your words & actions
▫ Report violations to equitywg@booknetcanada.ca
9

10. Code of Conduct (continued)
▪ Do not
▫ Harass speakers, hosts or attendees
▫ Contact speakers, hosts or attendees privately
post-event
▫ Violate the code of conduct on the event
registration page
10

11. Agenda: what to expect today
▪ Learn about our Working Group
▫ What we are trying to accomplish and why;
▫ Why we are expanding our scope to solicit feedback
from creators & contributors
■ How we’d like to hear from you post-event;
▫ What we’ve discussed to-date;
11

12. Agenda (continued)
▪ Share insight into the professional publishing
industry’s practices and how information about
creators and books is collected & shared currently:
▫ Metadata and other supply chain processes;
▫ Case studies; and
▫ Why different stakeholders want to collect & share
creator identity attributes
■ Distinct from those of the book.
12

13. “
“...Publishing as it currently stands loves stories but doesn't
quite show its love to the storytellers... if you go into every
interaction thinking how can I show love and reverence to the
storyteller, it will absolutely impact the choices that you make.
Not saying that they’ll be perfect choices but they’ll be better
choices and they’ll be more open to correction."
13
Quote source: “Foreign object in the house of Canadian literature” panel discussion, April 2021, BookNet canada’s YouTube channel

14. Who today is for
14
▪ Creator-focused
▫ Publishers & industry colleagues: please make
space for creators in the chat & Q&A

15. Who today is for (continued)
15
▪ Canadian market participants

16. 2.
The purpose of this
webinar
Why we have gathered today

17. Who we are
We’re representatives from
the Canadian
Bibliographic
Committee’s Equity,
Diversity & Inclusion in
Metadata Working Group
17

18. Who we are (continued)
Hosted by BookNet
Canada
18

19. Who we are (continued)
24 volunteer
representatives from
across the Canadian
English-language
publishing supply chain
19

20. Who is speaking today:
▪ Representatives from our Working Group
▪ Speaking:
▫ From their lived, professional experience
▫ Not on behalf of their employers (past or present)
▫ As a collective whole
■ On behalf of & endorsed by the larger Working
Group
■ Reach us collectively at
equitywg@booknetcanada.ca
20

21. About the Working Group (continued)
▪ Makes recommendations to the Canadian industry on
how to represent and distribute equity, diversity &
inclusion attributes
▫ About books & about contributors
21

22. Proposals Guidelines
Our objective
22
Best
Practices

23. “
Quotations are commonly printed as a means
of inspiration and to invoke philosophical
thoughts from the reader.
23
Image credit: Andrea Vercetti for The Washington Post

24. Why you?
Why have we convened creators today?
24

25. Where you come in
▪ Underrepresentation by creators and their
representatives in our Working Group
▪ Traditionally, creators excluded from the
machinations of the professional supply chain
▪ Working with creators is important to ensure
information shared about them is accurate to
self-identification
25

26. Where you come in (continued)
▪ Existing trust & power imbalance between creators &
industry
▪ Structural, systemic racism & built-in bias
▪ Desire to proceed with harm reduction & mitigation
in mind
26

27. 27
Image credit: Inclusion by Design: Insights from Design Week Portland; Gensler
Equity Inclusion
Diversity

28. 3.
Supply Chain &
Metadata Introduction
The professional publishing process

29. Reminder: submit your questions using the Q&A
29
Image credit: Zoom

30. Supply chain
the broad network of people, companies, systems,
information, technologies and resources dedicated to
moving products and services from suppliers to consumers
30

31. ● The development, manufacturing and distribution of
physical books, ebooks, and audiobooks
● How books are ordered, bought and sold by retailers,
libraries, wholesales & consumers
● How books are returned unsold to publishers
● How authors are compensated for sales
● etc.
31
Supply chain in the publishing industry

32. metadata
information about information, or, data
about data
32

33. metadata
33

34. metadata for books
any data about a book that is not the book
content itself
34

35. ● Title
● Contributor names
● # of pages
● Format (physical, digital, etc.)
● Subject classification
● Dimensions (of the physical book)
● Barcoding information
● Links to the contributor’s website(s) & social(s)
● Related books
35
Metadata about books

36. Hello!
I am Nicole
Working Group chair
Marketing & metadata manager at a
small Canadian publisher
*she/her*
36

37. 38
Metadata about contributors
▪ Gender
▪ Sexuality
▪ Race
▪ Ethnicity
▪ Culture
▪ Language
▪ Spiritual & religious beliefs
▪ Physical & mental ability
▪ Citizenship & location
▪ Age
▪ Education
▪ Professional experience
& affiliations
▪ Family & marital status
▪ Socioeconomic status

38. Best
Practice
Current
Practice
Contributor identity information
39
≠

39. ● Created by people using database software from:
○ Publishing houses
○ Publishing services firms
○ Distributors
● Shared electronically with supply chain participants
○ loaded directly into the dataset of their trading
partner
● Accepted & displayed by retailers, libraries, social book
sites, the media, and more
40
Metadata in the publishing industry

40. 41
Maud: A Novel Inspired by the
Life of L.M. Montgomery
by Melanie J. Fishbane

41. 42

42. 43

43. 44

44. 45
bio
bio

45. 47
bio

46. ● Case Study #1: 49th Shelf
○ https://49thshelf.com/
○ “the largest collection of Canadian books on the
Internet—and an amazing way to discover your
next great read.”
48
Metadata at work: case study

47. Case study: 49th Shelf
49

48. 51
Case study: Globe & Mail bestseller lists

49. Metadata at work: Canadian contributor flag
52

50. 141,514
unique ISBNs with Canadian contributors flagged
53

51. 4.
The Equity, Diversity &
Inclusion in Metadata Working
Group
How to represent and distribute information about
equity, diversity, and inclusion in metadata

52. 56
Metadata about contributors
▪ Gender
▪ Sexuality
▪ Race
▪ Ethnicity
▪ Culture
▪ Language
▪ Spiritual & religious beliefs
▪ Physical & mental ability
▪ Citizenship & location
▪ Age
▪ Education
▪ Professional experience
& affiliations
▪ Family & marital status
▪ Socioeconomic status

53. Who wants to create, collect & share attributes about contributors?
▪ Contributors themselves
▪ Agents
▪ Publishers
▪ Retailers
▪ Libraries
▪ Media
▪ Book reviewers
▪ Book purchasers & readers
57

54. Hello!
I am Stella Partheniou
Grasso
58
Storyteller, Author
Publishing Project Manager
*she/her*
www.stellapartheniougrasso.com

55. What information is currently shared with publishers?
Confidential Information
Creators develop relationships with publishers, editors
and designers as they work together on a project.
59

56. What information is currently shared with publishers?
Information internal to the company
Publishers will ask creators to fill out a bio questionnaire in
which they outline how the information will be used.
▪ Personal Information
60

57. What information is currently shared with publishers?
Information internal to the company
Publishers will ask creators to fill out a bio questionnaire in
which they outline how the information will be used.
▪ Personal Information
▪ Professional Information
61

58. What information is currently shared with publishers?
Information internal to the company
Publishers will ask creators to fill out a bio questionnaire in
which they outline how the information will be used.
▪ Personal Information
▪ Professional Information
▪ Publicity and Promo Information
62

59. What information is currently shared with publishers?
Public-facing information
▪ Biographical Information
63

60. What information is currently shared with publishers?
Public-facing information
▪ Biographical Information
▪ Promotional preferences
64

61. Hello!
I am Annie Gibson
68
Publisher @ Playwrights Canada
Press
*she/her*

62. Publishers are the starting point of the data process.
▪ Use data:
▫ To ensure that we meet our own commitments to
creating a diverse publishing community.
▫ In grant applications for a publisher’s own funding.
▫ To identify gaps, particularly in historically
overlooked communities.
69
Publishers

63. Publishers: Pros
Pros:
● Conversations with authors to gather information on their
identities, strengthening the relationship between author
and publisher.
● Having the information flow from author to publisher
ensures that the information going out to supply chains is
coming from a trusted source.
● Only what the author consents to sharing is released,
empowering authors.
70

64. Publishers: Pros (continued)
● Data on the author’s identity will help marketing teams
create thematic campaigns around holidays and
awareness months:
○ Black History Month, Indigenous Heritage Month, Asian
Heritage Month, Pride Month, #OwnVoices
● Publishers can confidently include authors to specific lists.
● Author identification is required for certain award
submissions.
● Including data on author identity adds more nuance to the
current system that focuses on book content.
71

65. Publishers: Cons
Cons:
● Onus on publishers to develop a safe method of collecting
identity data and maybe even verifying.
● Develop confidentiality protocols for staff.
● Data needs to be current, continually updated, and
publishers willing to create fulsome listings for books,
providing identity information.
● While not impossible, these requirements could be a strain
on the limited resources of many publishers.
72

66. Publishers: Cons (continued)
● Risk of publishers making assumptions about an author’s
identity, or providing information the author hasn’t
consented to.
● The lack of nuance available in terminology: limited
identity tags for an author to choose from.
● Process for adding / editing terms will take time so
publishers limited by what’s available. An author may not
get to use their preferred terminology at the time of their
book’s publication.
73

67. Publishers: Things to Consider
Things To Consider:
● Language changes over time.
● No guarantees that public-facing entities will use the data in
a way that benefits readers.
74

68. Publishers: Things to Consider (continued)
● Publishers acknowledge that sharing one’s identity is
risky and will require building trust with their authors.
● Publishers have an obligation to share identity
information responsibly and will need to invest in
developing best practices for collecting, protecting,
and storing that data.
75

69. Hello!
I am Rachel
76
Print Experience Manager
@ Indigo Books
*she/her*

70. Libraries and retailers need access to
information about author identity to
ensure that the books on our
shelves are representative and
inclusive of all the readers we
serve.
77
Libraries & Retailers

71. We currently rely on
publisher provided
or publicly available
information about
author identity to
conduct diversity
audits and assess
inclusivity.
78
Libraries & Retailers

72. Compiling author identity
details book by book from
multiple sources means only
a small fraction of a library
or retailers’ collection can
be assessed for diversity
and inclusion and increases
the possibility of author
misrepresentation.
79
Libraries & Retailers

73. Access to accurate author identity information for each book will
help libraries and retailers ensure the books on our shelves will
allow:
● People in marginalized groups see themselves represented
● People from majority groups can see their friends, neighbours
and family members represented
● Readers to have the opportunity to read about people like
themselves/different from themselves
80
Libraries & Retailers

74. Libraries & Retailers
Author identity information can also be used to create
reading lists and as a discoverability tool for readers.
81

75. 82
Book readers & consumers
Image credit: https://www.booknetcanada.ca/demand-for-diversity

76. 62%
of readers actively seek out books about diverse
topics or experiences or by diverse authors
83

77. ● Researchers
● Media
○ ex. The Toronto Star’s annual diversity survey of
Canadian children’s books
○ ex. The New York Times’ “Just How White is the
Book Industry” coverage (December 2020)
● Book reviewers
● Social media
84
Additional stakeholders

78. 5.
Two example scenarios
to consider
When should contributor identity be shared?

79. Hello!
I am Justine
86
Jr. Business Analyst @ Scholastic Canada
*she/her*

80. Two cases:
1. Creator’s identity does not relate directly to the
book’s content
2. Creator’s identity does relate to the book’s content
87
Metadata at work: how “diversity” is handled currently

81. ● The book’s content is distinct from the creator’s
identity
● Supported by industry standards:
○ Subject categorization
■ Industry committee-approved codes: NA & int’l
○ Book description: jacket copy, book blurb, etc.
88
Case 1: Creator’s Identity Does Not Relate

82. ● More complex
● Describing the creator’s “closeness” to the content:
their lived experience, their authority to speak to a
topic / point of view
● Industry in agreement that sharing information on this
scenario is reasonable, but
○ Not well-supported by existing industry-defined
standards
○ Concerns to consider
89
Case 2: Creator’s Identity Does Relate

83. Case 1: Creator’s Identity Does Not Relate - Gordon Korman
Relevant
90
Not Relevant
Creator Identity:

84. Case 2: Contributor’s Identity Does Relate - Gordon Korman
91
Relevant
Not Relevant
Author Identity:

85. 6.
Additional
considerations for
contributors
How can sharing identity information impact creators?

86. Author Considerations: Pros
Pros:
▪ Creators and their content would become easier for
audiences to find
93

87. Author Considerations: Pros
Pros:
▪ Creators and their content would become easier for
audiences to find
▪ Award eligibility
94

88. Author Considerations: Pros
Pros:
▪ Creators and their content would become easier for
audiences to find
▪ Award eligibility
▪ Creators would have more agency over what
information is made public and what is kept private
95

89. Author Considerations: Cons
Cons
▪ Lack of nuance and consensus around identities
96

90. Author Considerations: Cons
Cons
▪ Lack of nuance and consensus around identities
▪ Reinforces othering
97

91. Author Considerations: Cons
Cons
▪ Lack of nuance and consensus around identities
▪ Reinforces othering
▪ Risk that the information will be misused once it becomes
public
▫ Could lead to tokenism
▫ Could be misapplied
98

92. “
99
“The fact that I’m gay is not the most interesting thing about me. And
yet I have been introduced as a “lesbian writer” or a “gay writer”, and
the 15 novels might be slightly more interesting, particularly when
I’m talking about novels. I don’t get paid for being a lesbian, funnily.”
— Stella Duffy from “Sappho” Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the
Classics

93. Author Considerations: Cons
Cons
▪ Undue pressure around claiming an identity publicly (i.e.,
#ownvoices)
100

94. Author Considerations: Cons
Cons
▪ Undue pressure around claiming an identity publicly (i.e.,
#ownvoices)
▪ Using a creator’s identity to legitimize a story’s authenticity or a
creator’s right to tell this story.
101

95. “
102
“Closeted writers are getting passed over for publication and are
being pressured to come out before they’re truly ready. Marginalized
authors with fresh, vibrant voices are being shunted aside, all in the
name of a hashtag that was supposed to help them get their stories
told in the first place. Who has the right to tell a particular story, and
who gets to decide this?” — Rod A. Pulido “Late to the Party”

96. Author Considerations: Cons
Cons
▪ Creators and their content would become easier to find
▫ Safety concerns surrounding discoverability
103

97. Author Considerations: Cons
Cons
▪ Creators and their content would become easier to find
▫ Safety concerns surrounding discoverability
▪ Accuracy and updates rely on third parties throughout the
supply chain
▫ Marketing and publicity pieces can’t be updated as easily if
changes are made.
▫ Information that’s posted online is never truly deleted
104

98. 7.
We want to hear
from you
▪ Other advantages?
▪ Other risks or concerns we need to take into account?
▪ What would you like the process to look like?

99. 106
Best practices
This is what we do with the
info we gather from you
What is happening now
This encompases current
practices as well as the
webinar itself
What should happen
This is where you come in with
your feedback and responses

100. What we’re trying to learn
▪ Feedback from contributors as a stakeholder group
before proceeding w/ recommendations to industry
▪ How to address sensitivity re: classification
▪ Do authors support a more formalized process re: this
info being shared?
▪ What are our success indicators? How will we know
we’ve accomplished what we intended? Any metrics?
▪ What do you want from us?
107

101. Post-event questionnaire
▪ Anonymous
▪ Closes 4 weeks after our webinar recording is posted
online
▪ Summary of responses will be shared 4 weeks after the
questionnaire closes
▫ Sent to all registered webinar participants, since we
are not associating responses with identifying info
▫ Also sent to organizations who helped us spread the
word about the webinar so they can disseminate
108

102. Post-event questionnaire (continued)
▪ Demographic questions, eg:
▫ Did you attend our webinar?
▫ Are you based in Canada?
▪ Close-ended Likert questions, eg:
▫ How concerned are you about the security of your
information?
▪ Open-ended questions, eg:
▫ Is there anything holding you back from sharing
information about your identity?
109

103. 8.
Your questions
Let’s move to the chat and Q&A portion of the evening

104. Hello!
I am Gita
111
EDI Director @ Scholastic Canada
she/her

105. Q&A: how to
112
Image credit: Zoom

106. 8.
Your questions

107. 9.
Conclusion & next steps
What’s next

108. What’s next?
▪ Check your inbox for a link to a survey to share your
thoughts and provide your feedback
115
Image credit: Zoom

109. What’s next? (continued)
▪ We will share a recording of this webinar both to you
and widely
116
Image credit: Zoom

110. Annie Gibson
Evan K
Gita Madan
Hannah J.
Justine T.
K. Campos
Kendra Martin
Laura MacDonald
Lauren Stewart
Liz Lee
Thanks to our Working Group
117
Madeleine Laforest
Marina F.
Melanie Fishbane
Nicole D.
Rachel L.
Samantha S.
Stella Partheniou Grasso
Tamara Mair-Wren
Tom Richardson
+ 6 additional respected &
beloved colleagues in the
Canadian publishing
industry, who donated their
time & energies to this
initiative

111. Presented by
BookNet Canada
With support from
The Department of Canadian Heritage
Acknowledgements
118

112. Thanks!
Any questions? Want
to continue the
conversation?
You can reach us at:
equitywg@booknetcanada.ca
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