Unveiling the Silenced: exploring the lack of South Asian Women's Voices in UK publishing

A crucial yet often overlooked aspect of the UK publishing scene is the voices of South Asian women writers. Despite the richness of their narratives, these voices have long been sidelined. Aliyah Sheth speaks to Farhana Shaikh to uncover the reasons behind this disparity and celebrate the essence of diverse storytelling in shaping our cultural landscape. 

Meet Farhana Shaikh, a trailblazing figure in British literature. Hailing from Leicester, she wears many hats - writer, publisher, and lecturer. Her passion for promoting diversity and inclusion in literature led her to found Dahlia Publishing, an indie powerhouse championing voices from the East Midlands and beyond.  

Unveiling her groundbreaking research findings and sharing her personal journey of navigating the complex terrain that is the UK publishing industry, "Where do South Asian women fit in?" Farhana asks, peeling back the layers of the publishing landscape. According to Farhana's research, only 71 South Asian fiction writers were published between 2019 and 2022. The number of book titles published per year did not exceed 28 and has shown a 14.3% decrease since 2019. These statistics reveal a startling reality for South Asian fiction writers, with staggering figures that underscores the urgent need for change. 

Farhana sheds light on the entrenched challenges within the industry. With its London-centric focus and predominantly white, middle-class workforce, publishing often struggles to break free from its own bubble. "The assumption that the typical reader is a white, middle-class woman in England is outdated," she says. 

But Farhana is not one to dwell on obstacles. She sees her research as a catalyst for broader conversations on diversity and discrimination within the publishing realm. By amplifying the voices of South Asian women, she hopes to pave the way for a more inclusive future. 

Reflecting on past initiatives like the Decibel scheme, which aimed to uplift voices of color, Farhana acknowledges progress but emphasises the long road ahead. With 57% of South Asian writers published by independent presses, she sees a fertile ground for exploration in the dynamics between writers and smaller publishers. 

Farhana explains from her experience that “prizes offer validation and recognition,” which plays a pivotal role in boosting writers’ self-esteem, silencing self-doubt, and fear. Helping writers to overcome their moments of imposter syndrome. It’s through these prizes she says, “conversations outside are pushing for change on the inside.” 

Speaking to the Prize director of the SI Leeds Literary Prize, Fiona Goh, she says “Our aim is to act as a loudspeaker for fresh and original literary voices from an under-represented group, and to help them reach new audiences in mainstream culture.  

“A lack of diverse writers means society misses out on some amazing stories and an opportunity for people to learn, connect, and grow. Stories are powerful because they help us walk in other people's shoes. They create empathy, understanding, and tolerance for ideas we may not always understand. 

Publishing can be an opaque industry, and it is hard to navigate without a roadmap. We hope that by supporting writers of colour, and introducing them to the opportunities out there, sharing their names, and stories, we can make the path a little clearer.” 

Looking to the future, Farhana advocates for greater inclusion in all facets of the literary world. From diversifying curriculums to nurturing young talent, she envisions a landscape where creativity knows no bounds. 

In the wake of global movements like Black Lives Matter, Farhana sees a glimmer of hope for systemic change. "It's tragic, but it shows our collective power," she reflects, underscoring the transformative potential of united voices. 

Farhana's words are a call to action that cannot be ignored: "We must do more." It's a rallying cry for a future where every voice is heard, and every story celebrated. And with champions like Farhana leading the way, that future feels closer than ever before. 

‘The most powerful thing we can do is encourage people to be creative in their lives’