Author Publishing Tips

Brexit Poses Imminent Threat to UK’s Creative Industries

Anti-multiculturalism ideology in the UK is becoming increasingly prevalent in today’s social climate. Multiculturalism is under threat by those who frequently disregard the gains that the UK has incurred as a result of inclusion, with statistics suggesting that 81% of people who believe multiculturalism to be a force for ill voted for Brexit. This is unsurprising given the circumstances with which Brexit was led. The ideology behind Brexit maintained that it is individuals from outside of Britain that are tarnishing the country by creating a multi-cultural hub that is responsible for the UK’s economic strain. Considering this, it is apparent that Brexit may have been the metaphorical veil that anti-multiculturalists were longing for.

The problem is that this veil hides a breeding ground for racism and xenophobia – two constructs firmly entwined. A study by Migrants’ Rights Network found that many migrants believed their local community voted to leave the European Union because ‘they felt there were too many migrants locally or in the UK, they believed Brexit would mean migrants would have to leave the UK, or because of racist or xenophobic views.’

What those against a multi-culturalist Britain fail to see is the value of migrants beyond economic input. The UK’s creative industries, for example, thrive thanks to the talent of both EU and non-EU migrants. Through migrant literature, individuals are offered the chance to better understand society and its intersections; if Britain wishes to maintain its reputation as the world’s lead for creative industries, it would be detrimental to hinder the chances of creatively talented individuals applying for British citizenship. When considering that Penguin Random House UK’s top 10 markets in relation to foreign language skills comprise of Germany, China, Brazil, Italy, France, Spain, Holland, Poland, Sweden and Japan, it becomes apparent that Brexit will undoubtedly hit the UK’s literature industry. With such an evident reliance on interpersonal skills and abilities to connect with various cultures, it is clear that both EU and non-EU nationals are crucial to the success of the UK’s creative fields.

Unsurprisingly, a reported 96% of the UK’s creative industries voted to remain in the EU; this demonstrates a vast awareness of how invaluable it is to work alongside gifted individuals from across the globe. It is clear that the impact of migrants on specifically the publishing industry is multi-faceted. The UK’s literary heritage is a compelling representation of the beauty that can arise as a result of cultures coming together. A report by Spread the Word supports this theory, suggesting that for UK literature to prosper, it must ‘reflect the complexity of the cultures and society it is responding to’. Without the perspectives of a diverse range of authors, British literature may be set to decline, becoming irrelevant and out of touch with its audience.

Unfortunately, it would be wrong to consider the loss of talent to the publishing industry the only blow that it will face as a result of Brexit. As explored by the Creative Industries Federation, the creative sector generates £87 billion a year. Having a strong relationship with Europe has allowed British publishers to enjoy the financial benefits that come with exclusive English-language rights to books sold continent-wide. Britain risks losing these benefits post-Brexit, and therefore its strong hold on the industry is likely to diminish. This is due to the fact that American publishers will become a factor in what will be deemed an ‘open market’. Such transformative change could have catastrophic consequences to the UK’s economy.

The influence of Brexit on the publishing industry is only further exacerbated by the Government’s proposition that workers from outside of the UK wishing to work for a long period of time must meet a minimum salary threshold. This proposed minimum salary is expected to be £30,000. With ALCS’ 2018 figures emphasising that the average annual salary of authors in the UK is around £10,500, the threat of a loss of multiculturalism to the literature and publishing industries is imminent. This demeaning approach to assessing worth focuses shallowly on migrants’ income and not their ability.

In view of the detrimental effects that Brexit will inevitably have on the literature and publishing industries, it is advised that the Government promptly reforms its restrictive immigration policy. Failure to do so will likely result in Britain’s demise as a cultural hub of talent and diversity. In order to maintain its place at the table, xenophobia and racism must be eradicated. The unwavering success of our creative industries must be attributed to migrants; we ought to celebrate their contributions – not take this for granted.

Zimbabwean Adventure Tales

Zimbabwean Adventure Tales

Enid Blyton meets Gerald Durrell in a joyous celebration of Zimbabwe in ‘Four Zimbabwean Adventure Tales’, penned by Robin Anderson. With his usual flawless writing and narrative flair, Anderson takes his young reader on four wonderfully immersive escapades, complete with talking animals, each with their own perfectly crafted disposition and temperament.

Read More »

Trusted Book Reviews

We work with both traditionally published and “indie” authors who have self or independently published books and our mission is simple. It’s to discover new and talented authors and help them give their work the attention and awareness it deserves. We do this by providing professional and credible reviews which are respected by our readers. Our primary focus is on fiction across all genres, non – fiction with broad appeal and selected poetry.

  • Over 16000 Book Reviews And Counting
  • All Book Genres Reviewed
  • Books Reviewed In as little as 16 Days 
  • The Only Book Review Site To Offer A Book Review Guarantee

Publishing Tips For Authors & Recommended Book Reviews

Book Reviews
Editorial Team

Science Fiction Adventure

A bracing Science Fiction Adventure Aian D. Grey introduces us to a near future where the chaotic effects of climate change have taken their toll on the planet with dire ecological consequences.

Read More »
Daisy Roberts is Dead is nothing if not an original novel, especially in the realm of the supernatural. In the hands of a less astute author, it might have turned into a heaping serving of metaphysical gobbledygook but Claire Gallagher takes us on an unpredictable and mesmerizing journey with many astonishingly tender moments. With a narrative that embraces the sensibilities of the genre, Gallagher does a fine job of capturing the contemporary everyday textures of life with heartfelt observations on sorrow but without the need for lump-in-the-throat histrionics. It’s sincere with the gentle, nourishing quality of a fairy tale that you want to believe, but the unsoftened impact of gut-level entertainment.
Book Reviews
Editorial Team

Ghost Paranormal Romance

A wonderfully disarming read about love and loss Daisy Roberts is Dead refreshingly avoids many of the genre’s syrupy dangers leaving the reader with the truth of the matter. Which is the way it should be.

Read More »
Sword, Sorcery and Low Fantasy
Book Reviews
Editorial Team

Sword, Sorcery and Low Fantasy

A vividly imagined novel with an emotionally gripping core and a crafty plot Blender’s Story proves a smashing start to Beth Schluter’s Servants of the Wheel. A series that’s sure to find popular appeal amongst fans of Dark Fantasy and Heroic Sword and Sorcery.

Read More »
Black & African American Historical Fiction
Black & African American Historical Fiction
Editorial Team

Black & African American Historical Fiction

A rousing Black & African American Historical novel that is true to the genre’s traditional power, gender and cultural dynamics. The Missing Puzzle Piece is the fourth release in Abston’s series and another superb read.

Read More »

Book Reviews That Readers Trust.

From humble beginnings in 2002 as a book review club BookViral has grown to become the first choice in book reviews for authors around the world and one of the biggest book review sites on the web. BookViral reaches millions of potential readers through best practice SEO and a trusted social media presence ensuring readers get unbiased, critical recommendations they can trust. 

BookViral also offers a full suite of author services, including, book editing services for unpublished and self-published authors, website design and bespoke SEO that help authors get discovered by more potential readers as well as industry influencers, such as publishers, agents and film executives. 

© Copyright 2019 BookViral Reviews. All Rights Reserved.