The Brit Writers Awards And Why Diversity Is Good For Business - by Saima Mir

Like most people who write I suffer from fear and self-loathing. It’s not chronic, it comes in bouts and usually manifests after a public performance.  I am a perfectionist and this paralyses me. My husband says I’m a ‘lazy genius’. But he doesn’t have to contend with the film that runs through my head, the soundtrack to which are the voices of all the people who have long told me what can’t be done by a woman like me.

I was born in London, raised in Bradford, and I consider myself as British as I do Pakistani. I’m also a Muslim woman who went to a Catholic school. This amalgamation of me means it’s been difficult to find places that allow me to be just me.

The Brit Writers Awards was one such rare and very welcome occasion. The audience, winners, hosts, and organisers were an easy mix of brown, black, and white, that cut across the class divide. At one table sat a ‘Madam’ who had run a brothel, and on another a young woman in a niqab. Both, women who write, and who have stories to tell. Wine flowed for those who wanted it and didn’t for those who abstained, all without judgement.

The Brit Writers Awards achieved something that the publishing industry has failed to do, it made writing an equal opportunity.

Coming from inner city Bradford and not having had the privilege of a private education my network did not include authors, and agents, and members of the Arts Council. Maybe this is why I’ve yet to read a book that represents me or appeals to some of the people I grew up with.

The publishing industry needs to embrace diversity. It needs fresh eyes and unique experiences to shake it up. The task is mammoth and change is difficult. But most groups and organisations fail with diversity simply because they don’t understand why it is so important.

It is not about being ‘worthy’and politically correct and it is not just about tolerance and acceptance, it makes good business sense.

The BRICS countries, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa have fast growing economies and represent around 3 billion people. That’s 3 billion people who could be buying your books.

For anyone who is not yet convinced, let me tell you this, there are more smartphones active in India than there are in the US. That’s smartphones that could be used to access e-versions of books. For any industry to ignore this massive audience would be foolish to say the least.

Here in Britain we have a distinct advantage in that we are a global melting pot of nations. According to the latest census figures, Britain is home to some four million people who trace their heritage back to the Indian subcontinent.We should be working with these people to find ways of entering and succeeding in the emerging markets. In addition, these four million British Asians are looking for ways to spend their money. According to a report by the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising this group has a disposable income way in excess of £300billion and a hunger for the arts that is not being met. Ignoring ‘The Brown Pound’ means overlooking a potentially lucrative market.
British Asians have an experience different from those who live in the Indian subcontinent, they want to read stories about people like them, written by writers who understand them, and know what it is to inhabit two worlds. But you would only know this if you spent time getting to know the difference between your potential audiences.
The Brit Writers Awards 2012 allowed people from across class and culture to meet and in doing so discover a wealth of stories and opportunities. The organisation is supporting writers in their journey, and in doing so it is cracking the publishing industry wide open for everyone.

SaimaMir is an award-winning journalist. She spent three years at the BBC, and now writes for a number of outlets including The Times and The Guardian. In 2010 Saima won the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association’s World View Award and spent time researching and reporting stories from Pakistan. She is currently working with Early Day Film on a number of projects. Saima is also the founder of the South Asian ancestry site whosthedaadi.com

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The Brit Writers' Awards' 2012 – Rebbecca Hemmings

Rebbecca Hemmings

“Right, our scripts are in place. The technicians are good to go. Hair, make-up and boobs are all where they should be. Okay, it’s time to greet our guests!” 

That is how the start of the 2012 Brit Writer’s Awards began for me.

Shortly after Sinead Gillespie, Saima Mir (my wonderful and talented co-hosts) and I, took to the reception area, greeted the guests with huge smiles on our faces and welcomed them to the fabulous Thistle Hotel – Marble Arch, London. It was such a pleasure to see the finalists walk in with what looked like nervous hope, puffed out chests and gratitude for being nominated in such a high-profile event.

The ceremony kicked off to an explosive start with a crew of fierce street dancers executing their passionate choreographed moves to the unsuspecting crowd. On finishing, they led the anticipating guests from the reception room into the awards and dining area.

Throughout the night Sinead and I introduced award presenters (and supporters of BWA) to the stage, handed them the golden envelopes which held the winner’s names as well as the illustrious award. In between the award presentations, Saima Mir (BBC journalist) interviewed guests on the floor. One of which included a very interesting lady who has written all about her former relationship with the infamous Gary Glitter! There were many other distinguished guests and faces that the general public might recognise but I will leave it for you to point them when you see the official pictures on the Brit Writers’ website.

Yes, the night was full of surprise guests and revelations including the soon to be launched Brazilian and Arab Writer’s Awards. How exciting! The awards are going international! What an achievement!

Can you believe this award ceremony and organisation: BWA (which if you were not aware, assists with making unknown unpublished writers into recognised published authors) is the brainchild of one man? The Brit Writers and all its services which include; publishing, The Word Academy (creative writing for young people), the awards ceremony and more, were all founded by Imran Akram. If you did not know who he was on the night, he may have been difficult to spot initially as he walked with such humility and grace that he could have been mistaken for one of the guests. However, Sinead later introduced him onto the stage where he thanked the numerous supporters of BWA and also presented the award for ‘Unpublished Writer of the Year’.

It was such an honour to be part of the evening. I thoroughly enjoyed receiving the awards vicariously through the winners. I felt their elation and pride as each one sauntered back to their family and friends with the physical confirmation of that they are recognised, worthy winners. As was everyone in that room that night in one shape or form.

The evening was living proof that by having faith in your ability to write , entertain and inform an audience and linking with the right organisation – in this case: Brit Writers, you can truly fulfil what may once have just been a remote dream.

If I had a glass of champagne (of the non-alcoholic kind as I am 5 months with child), I would raise my glass and ask you all to virtually toast with me: To Imran Akram, his team (including myself of course), The Brit Writer’s Awards and the future!

Bring on the international awards I say!  

by Rebbecca Hemmings

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Brit Writers' Awards' 2012 - A few words from our host Sinead Gillespie

Brit Writers' Awards' 2012, Thistle Hotel, Marble Arch

After weeks of secret discussions and piles of research on the growing guest list, it was very exciting to get to the Thistle Marble Arch and meet my co-hosts - Rebbecca Hemmings and Saima Mir and all the tech crew to check out the itinerary for the evening.

By the time it was ready to go, it all looked fabulous. We all looked fabulous! I have never presented anything on this scale before so I was a tad nervous. But there was no time for that. I had to get out there, mingling and answering questions while the rock band went to get changed in my room. Ah! Where did I leave my dirty…thank you, lovely hubby, for protecting my dignity!

After the amazing young dancers who led us all into the dinner, we took the stage and wallowed in the buzz that was permeating the room. It was alive! Full of writers, performers, singers, celebrities, publishers, agents, more writers…a hum of creativity as people found like minds with whom to talk.

I had particular fun with some of our overseas guests: Mykel Hawke wanted me to tell him the winner in his category so he could practise saying the name. “Only one problem with that, Mykel,” I said, “It’s a competition – I don’t know who the winner is!” But it was a fair question – the pronunciation, that is. The BWA has become so multicultural and international the names represent the world.

Hosts - Rebecca Hemmings and Sinead Gillespie

My only difficulty through the event was time-keeping: every speaker was so interesting and had so much to share about the world of words, I could have listened to each of them all night but I had to keep the slots tight! We were surrounded by the most amazing wealth of experience in so many areas, it was simply an honour to be there listening.

And on top of that I got to meet my own publishers – the delightful Ronnie and Dawn of Indigo Press.

There is one very exciting year ahead. Thanks to Imran and Brit Writers for making it possible – for me, and all the fabulous finalists and winners on Saturday night.

by Sinead Gillespie

Ps I still want an award!!

Pps Tatiana Wilson had the best shoes!!!!

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