It might seem facetious to choose C18th & C19th paintings to depict ThE ReADeR in this context, but these are the kinds of images that helped perpetuate the mythos surrounding the book and reading. My (cynical) concern is that the UKs National Year of Reading is only going to further instil this.

Or this:

If people are online, reading and writing various kinds of content (Reddit, blogs, fan fiction, whatever), is that being counted in some of these discussions/reports? My instinct is that when people think of reading they're thinking of this:

😂

intimating the inherent trust and reliability of the sector because of the status of The Book as Cultural Object.

Maybe this is something, or maybe it's just an innocent thing of the ppl behind these reports genuinely not seeing the point in discussing Publishing (and Crafts, Museums etc.)? 🤷

I know Publishing is not just _book_ Publishing (and even within book publishing, there are diff sectors that contribute diff things), but, idk, I can't help but read the latest DCMS report 'barely mentioning' (see: www.bookbrunch.co.uk/page/article...) Publishing as a (small 'p') political act...

but I don't think the overlooking of Publishing *as a creative industry* comes from it being so sustainably managed and resourced it doesn't need in-depth consideration by DCMS, it's that people don't want to industrialise (or politicise?) the cultural labour and production of books specifically...

there's a cultural reverence for The Book and a (mis?)understanding of its position within the cultural landscape that make it seem ubiquitous and, idk, secure? We all know the arguments about passionate, precarious work and the CIs, and publishing isn't protected from these issues (far from it)...

I can't speak to other CI sectors, but I think there's something specific about pub'g that means it stays out of these conversations & held at arms length for government intervention. Besides the obvious of it being an old (*old*) industry that has made it through various threats over the years...

there is *something* about Publishing (which is reported to be worth £11 billion to the UK economy: www.publishers.org.uk/new-research...) being overlooked in broader discussions of the CIs and their impact.

Music: 60+
Film: 50+
TV: 30+
Video games: 30+
Design: 20+

Now, this is a decidedly UNscientific way of looking at the report. And there are other sectors that also don't get a look in (Crafts, Museums, Radio) and this isn't about pitting sectors against each other BUT...

I'm not usually a numbers person, but the lack of discussion of Publishing specifically is quantifiable. Number of times the word 'Publishing' comes up in the report? Twice (and this is only within the lists describing what sectors the DCMS covers). Mentions of other CI sectors...?

DCMS published the 'Creative Industries Sector Plan' yesterday (23/06/25) hailing it as a '£380 million boost for creative industries to help drive innovation, regional growth and investment' with an aim 'to nearly double business investment in creative industries to £31 billion by 2035'

Looking fab! I now have hardcore office envy...