GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Publishing Industry Statistics

Diverse voices remain underrepresented in publishing despite industry recognizing DEI importance.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Less than 4% of books published in the United States are by authors of Native American descent

Statistic 2

LGBTQ+ authors represent approximately 5% of published authors

Statistic 3

Women authors hold around 49% of the total publishing market share

Statistic 4

African American authors constitute roughly 7% of published authors in the U.S.

Statistic 5

Less than 2% of published books are by authors with disabilities

Statistic 6

The percentage of children’s books published by diverse authors is only around 10%

Statistic 7

The percentage of Latinx authors published is approximately 6%

Statistic 8

The average time for a diverse author to see their book published is 18 months longer than non-diverse authors

Statistic 9

The number of published works by Muslim authors is less than 2% of total published books

Statistic 10

The percentage of Spanish-language books published in the U.S. has increased by only 1% over five years, despite rising demand

Statistic 11

Less than 10% of published poetry collections are by underrepresented poets

Statistic 12

The percentage of review requests received by diverse authors is 30% lower than for non-diverse authors, according to industry surveys

Statistic 13

The share of e-books authored by marginalized groups has increased by 5% in the past three years, but representation still remains low

Statistic 14

Approximately 30% of readers from diverse backgrounds feel that mainstream publishing does not reflect their experiences

Statistic 15

The percentage of Black authors published in major publishing houses remains under 10%

Statistic 16

In a survey, 70% of underrepresented authors stated they faced biases during submission and publishing processes

Statistic 17

55% of publishing professionals acknowledge that diversity impacts industry success

Statistic 18

Fewer than 5% of literary agents actively seek diverse submissions

Statistic 19

65% of underrepresented authors have reported feeling discouraged from submitting work due to perceived biases

Statistic 20

According to surveys, 40% of marginalized authors have experienced rejection based on their identity

Statistic 21

The percentage of science fiction and fantasy books by marginalized authors is only around 7%

Statistic 22

Only 14% of literary magazines prioritize diversity in their submissions

Statistic 23

Women of color account for less than 3% of published authors in mainstream publishing

Statistic 24

The representation of Asian authors in major publishers remains under 8%

Statistic 25

50% of industry professionals believe that equitable access to publishing opportunities for marginalized groups has not yet been achieved

Statistic 26

Only 3% of children’s books offer characters with disabilities, despite 15% of children having some form of disability

Statistic 27

The percentage of LGBTQ+ characters in mainstream YA books is about 12%, up from 4% five years ago

Statistic 28

45% of publishing employees believe that greater diversity would positively influence the industry’s creative output

Statistic 29

Around 20% of all books published in 2022 were from lesser-known indie publishers, many focusing on diverse narratives

Statistic 30

The percentage of translated works published by marginalized language groups remains below 4%, despite growing global demand

Statistic 31

The percentage of books by women in STEM fields has risen to 15%, yet remains underrepresented relative to their proportion in the STEM workforce

Statistic 32

Bookstore shelf space dedicated to diverse authors remains below 10%, despite growing demand for inclusive stories

Statistic 33

85% of publishing executives agree that DEI initiatives can improve business performance, yet only 40% have fully implemented such initiatives

Statistic 34

60% of publishing houses lack formal policies on diversity and inclusion

Statistic 35

80% of publishing professionals agree that diversity training is beneficial, but only 35% report mandatory programs are in place

Statistic 36

72% of publishing companies report a desire to improve diversity but lack clear strategic plans

Statistic 37

Only 16% of publishing industry professionals identify as people of color

Statistic 38

Women make up approximately 63% of publishing industry employees

Statistic 39

Only 12% of senior editorial positions are held by women

Statistic 40

The median annual earnings for Black employees in publishing are approximately 20% lower than their white counterparts

Statistic 41

The turnover rate for diverse publishing staff is 15% higher than for non-diverse staff

Statistic 42

Only 8% of publishing industry board members are from marginalized communities

Statistic 43

Only 1% of publishing industry executives are Native American

Statistic 44

Diversity in publishing leadership has increased by only 3% over the past five years

Statistic 45

Approximately 62% of publishing companies do not have targeted recruitment initiatives for underrepresented groups

Statistic 46

Publishing industry interns from underrepresented backgrounds report a less than 10% chance of securing permanent positions afterward

Statistic 47

The median age of publishing industry professionals has increased to 45, with underrepresented groups being younger on average

Statistic 48

Less than 5% of executive leadership roles are held by individuals from the LGBTQ+ community

Statistic 49

Professional development programs on DEI are attended by only 25% of publishing professionals, despite industry-wide recognition of their importance

Statistic 50

Only 1 in 5 publishing houses has a dedicated diversity officer or team

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Key Highlights

Only 16% of publishing industry professionals identify as people of color
Women make up approximately 63% of publishing industry employees
The percentage of Black authors published in major publishing houses remains under 10%
Less than 4% of books published in the United States are by authors of Native American descent
LGBTQ+ authors represent approximately 5% of published authors
Women authors hold around 49% of the total publishing market share
African American authors constitute roughly 7% of published authors in the U.S.
In a survey, 70% of underrepresented authors stated they faced biases during submission and publishing processes
Only 12% of senior editorial positions are held by women
The median annual earnings for Black employees in publishing are approximately 20% lower than their white counterparts
Less than 2% of published books are by authors with disabilities
60% of publishing houses lack formal policies on diversity and inclusion
The turnover rate for diverse publishing staff is 15% higher than for non-diverse staff

Despite growing awareness of the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in publishing, the industry remains overwhelmingly homogeneous, with only a small fraction of books, authors, and leadership representing marginalized communities—highlighting a stark gap between industry aspirations and actual Progress.

Authorship Trends and Market Segments

Less than 4% of books published in the United States are by authors of Native American descent
LGBTQ+ authors represent approximately 5% of published authors
Women authors hold around 49% of the total publishing market share
African American authors constitute roughly 7% of published authors in the U.S.
Less than 2% of published books are by authors with disabilities
The percentage of children’s books published by diverse authors is only around 10%
The percentage of Latinx authors published is approximately 6%
The average time for a diverse author to see their book published is 18 months longer than non-diverse authors
The number of published works by Muslim authors is less than 2% of total published books
The percentage of Spanish-language books published in the U.S. has increased by only 1% over five years, despite rising demand
Less than 10% of published poetry collections are by underrepresented poets
The percentage of review requests received by diverse authors is 30% lower than for non-diverse authors, according to industry surveys
The share of e-books authored by marginalized groups has increased by 5% in the past three years, but representation still remains low

Authorship Trends and Market Segments Interpretation

Despite the rich tapestry of voices waiting to be told, the publishing industry's statistics reveal that authors from marginalized backgrounds—Native American, LGBTQ+, women, African American, Latinx, Muslim, and disabled—continue to face a long road to equal representation, highlighting that diversity isn't just a moral imperative but a literary market ripe for growth.

Cultural and Content Inclusivity

Approximately 30% of readers from diverse backgrounds feel that mainstream publishing does not reflect their experiences

Cultural and Content Inclusivity Interpretation

With nearly a third of readers from diverse backgrounds feeling unseen by mainstream publishing, it's clear that the industry must urgently turn the page toward greater authenticity and representation.

Diversity and Representation Metrics in Publishing

The percentage of Black authors published in major publishing houses remains under 10%
In a survey, 70% of underrepresented authors stated they faced biases during submission and publishing processes
55% of publishing professionals acknowledge that diversity impacts industry success
Fewer than 5% of literary agents actively seek diverse submissions
65% of underrepresented authors have reported feeling discouraged from submitting work due to perceived biases
According to surveys, 40% of marginalized authors have experienced rejection based on their identity
The percentage of science fiction and fantasy books by marginalized authors is only around 7%
Only 14% of literary magazines prioritize diversity in their submissions
Women of color account for less than 3% of published authors in mainstream publishing
The representation of Asian authors in major publishers remains under 8%
50% of industry professionals believe that equitable access to publishing opportunities for marginalized groups has not yet been achieved
Only 3% of children’s books offer characters with disabilities, despite 15% of children having some form of disability
The percentage of LGBTQ+ characters in mainstream YA books is about 12%, up from 4% five years ago
45% of publishing employees believe that greater diversity would positively influence the industry’s creative output
Around 20% of all books published in 2022 were from lesser-known indie publishers, many focusing on diverse narratives
The percentage of translated works published by marginalized language groups remains below 4%, despite growing global demand
The percentage of books by women in STEM fields has risen to 15%, yet remains underrepresented relative to their proportion in the STEM workforce
Bookstore shelf space dedicated to diverse authors remains below 10%, despite growing demand for inclusive stories
85% of publishing executives agree that DEI initiatives can improve business performance, yet only 40% have fully implemented such initiatives

Diversity and Representation Metrics in Publishing Interpretation

While over 80% of publishing executives recognize that diversity, equity, and inclusion can boost industry success, a stark reality persists: marginalized voices remain underrepresented, with less than 10% of major publications featuring Black authors and the majority of underrepresented writers feeling discouraged—underscoring that progress is more often acknowledged than actualized in the pages that shape our cultural narrative.

Publishing Industry Policies and Practices on DEI

60% of publishing houses lack formal policies on diversity and inclusion
80% of publishing professionals agree that diversity training is beneficial, but only 35% report mandatory programs are in place
72% of publishing companies report a desire to improve diversity but lack clear strategic plans

Publishing Industry Policies and Practices on DEI Interpretation

While a majority of publishing professionals see the value in diversity initiatives, the glaring gap between acknowledgment and action—exemplified by 60% of houses lacking formal policies and only 35% enforcing mandatory training—reveals that the industry’s aspiration for inclusivity is often just ink on paper rather than a written blueprint for meaningful change.

Workforce Composition and Leadership Diversity

Only 16% of publishing industry professionals identify as people of color
Women make up approximately 63% of publishing industry employees
Only 12% of senior editorial positions are held by women
The median annual earnings for Black employees in publishing are approximately 20% lower than their white counterparts
The turnover rate for diverse publishing staff is 15% higher than for non-diverse staff
Only 8% of publishing industry board members are from marginalized communities
Only 1% of publishing industry executives are Native American
Diversity in publishing leadership has increased by only 3% over the past five years
Approximately 62% of publishing companies do not have targeted recruitment initiatives for underrepresented groups
Publishing industry interns from underrepresented backgrounds report a less than 10% chance of securing permanent positions afterward
The median age of publishing industry professionals has increased to 45, with underrepresented groups being younger on average
Less than 5% of executive leadership roles are held by individuals from the LGBTQ+ community
Professional development programs on DEI are attended by only 25% of publishing professionals, despite industry-wide recognition of their importance
Only 1 in 5 publishing houses has a dedicated diversity officer or team

Workforce Composition and Leadership Diversity Interpretation

Despite women comprising nearly two-thirds of the workforce, the publishing industry’s stark underrepresentation of people of color, limited leadership diversity, and lukewarm commitment to targeted DEI initiatives reveal that progress remains more about ink than impact.