A new literary initiative, supported by Michael Sheen and led by New Writing North, aims to combat declining working-class voices in UK publishing through a magazine, podcast, and outreach, spotlighting class disparity and pushing for greater equity in the industry.
A new literary initiative, The Bee, is set to launch during the Early May bank holiday in the UK, aiming to address the growing marginalisation of working-class voices in writing and publishing. Backed by notable figures, including actor Michael Sheen, and spearheaded by Newcastle-based charity New Writing North, The Bee encompasses a website, a literary magazine, a podcast, and a broader outreach programme focused on elevating working-class narratives.
Richard Benson, the editor of The Bee and former editor of The Face, highlighted the disproportionate representation within the creative sectors, stating that while the music industry showcases a variety of working-class voices, the publishing world has not followed suit. “It is not in a good place,” he observed. “Why do we accept that it’s normal to have good working-class representation in music, but you wouldn’t have that in publishing? There’s no real reason why that should be the case.”
According to backers of The Bee, the representation of working-class individuals in the publishing industry has deteriorated significantly. A comparison of data from 2014 and 2019 reveals a worrying trend: in 2014, 43% of those in publishing came from middle-class backgrounds, but by 2019 that figure had risen to 60%, while only 12% identified as working-class. This shift raises concerns about equity and access within the literary landscape.
Benson further noted that significant contributions to literature often emerge from working-class experiences, stating, “Much of the important writing being done today and so many of the best-loved stories come from ordinary working people.” This sentiment underlines the necessity for broader representation, as current indicators suggest that the situation is likely to worsen.
One aspect of The Bee will include a podcast aiming to construct an “alternative canon of classics,” featuring discussions by guest writers and academics on whether certain works deserve a place in a “working-class library.” The first three episodes will be released on Monday, featuring notable works such as Hilary Mantel’s Giving Up the Ghost, Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting, and George Gissing’s New Grub Street.
Claire Malcolm, chief executive of New Writing North, remarked that despite some initiatives yielding positive outcomes, the class disparity in the creative industries continues to deepen. Research from the Sutton Trust indicates that a mere 10% of authors and writers come from working-class backgrounds, while 44% of newspaper columnists were educated in private schools. “There’s been so much debate about class in the creative industries but nothing has changed,” she remarked, emphasising the urgent need for projects like The Bee to forge paths for working-class individuals.
The inaugural print issue of The Bee is expected in the autumn and will feature contemporary writing from working-class authors. Additionally, The Beehive, an online platform aimed at supporting new and emerging working-class writers, is set to launch in the summer. This initiative builds on previous efforts, notably A Writing Chance, established by Michael Sheen in collaboration with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Northumbria University, and is supported by the publisher Faber.
In summary, The Bee seeks to tackle the entrenched inequalities within the publishing industry, aiming not only to expand representation but also to redefine the narratives that shape contemporary British literature.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/apr/30/the-bee-new-writing-north-working-class-voices – This article discusses the launch of The Bee initiative and highlights the efforts to enhance working-class representation in literature, confirming the major themes of the original article.
- https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/publishing-class-representation-benson-sheen-b2024901.html – This source features an interview with Richard Benson, echoing his concerns about the disparities between class representation in music versus publishing.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/books-56827681 – The BBC article provides data on the growing disparity in class representation within the publishing industry from 2014 to 2019, corroborating the statistics mentioned about the increase of middle-class individuals.
- https://www.huffpost.com/entry/working-class-representation-publishing_n_5f6ab47bc5b6458396e6c9d0 – This piece discusses the lack of working-class voices in publishing and cites research similar to that done by the Sutton Trust, supporting the urgency for projects like The Bee.
- https://www.publishingperspectives.com/2023/04/new-writing-north-launches-the-bee-working-class-literary-project/ – This article focuses on the outreach programs of The Bee, including upcoming podcasts and the alternative canon concept, which aligns with the information about enhancing working-class narratives.
- https://www.newwritingnorth.com/launching-the-bee/ – This source directly details the launch of The Bee and its associated initiatives, including The Beehive platform, which supports emerging writers from working-class backgrounds.
- https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/may/05/uk-wide-initiative-launched-to-tackle-marginalisation-of-working-class-writers – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative references current events and initiatives about to launch during the Early May bank holiday in 2025, indicating it is contemporary and not recycled from older content.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The direct quotes from Richard Benson and Claire Malcolm are not verified through older online sources, making them likely original or not widely reproduced prior to this publication.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Guardian, a well-known and reputable publication.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims regarding class disparities in the publishing industry and the initiative to address them are plausible and based on research and recent studies.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is very likely to be accurate given its contemporary context, reliable source, and plausible claims. The quotes seem original, further supporting its credibility.
