Beth Cox | Creative Editorial Inclusion
Creative and Strategic Consultancy
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Have an idea for a new project or series and want to consider opportunities for inclusion and potential pitfalls?
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Looking for advice on how to embed inclusion in a submitted manuscript?​
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Want to review what inclusion looks (or could look) like across a whole list?
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Wondering if something could come across as tokenistic?
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Unsure when and how to work with people with lived experience? Or even how to find them?
Imagine having another perspective, from someone with decades of inclusion expertise, to help you find creative and strategic ways of ensuring inclusion is authentic and embedded from the very start...
That's essentially what my strategic and creative consultancy services offer (virtually or in person) on any ideas, proposals, submissions, illustrations or manuscripts.​
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"It’s wonderful to work with someone who’s so tuned in to inclusivity in children’s books. Beth has such in-depth knowledge and experience in this field, and being able to discuss the challenges we were facing and exploring potential solutions enabled us to find the right approach for this project.”
Gillian Sore, Development Editor, Oxford Children's Books
What does creative and strategic consultancy involve?
We look at the story or concept first, and ensure that this remains at the centre of the project. We discuss any ideas, thoughts and perspectives and consider how inclusion and accessibility can be embedded, finding creative solutions to overcome challenges or barriers.
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From a strategy perspective we consider what inclusion looks like across your list, how representation across different titles fits in to that, whether anyone is being centred or othered, and how to ensure authentic inclusion fits within the schedule and budget. We explore if, and when, you might need insight from experts by lived or learned experience, and how to navigate that.
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These sessions look different for every publisher and project, as they are led by your needs, but I will bring my 20+ years experience as a children's books editor and creative editorial inclusion expert to explore possibilities and solutions.
Consultancy can be delivered in various ways depending on your needs. Some publishers find a one-off session at the start of a project is sufficient, for other a series of sessions that take place as a project progresses is a better investment. Sessions can focus on one title, a series, or a whole list.
How does it work?
We'll have an initial call to discuss what you need and whether a one-off session or a series would be best. Once an approach has been decided, you can send me any relevant notes, material, research or questions before the consultancy session so that I can start considering them before we meet. If you prefer you can just share these during the session.
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At a time that is convenient for your team, we'll have an inclusion focused editorial meeting. Depending on the project and your needs, the content of this will vary, but the outcome will be a creative solution to your challenges and a clear plan for the next steps.
What's the investment?
The investment varies depending on the approach. Booking a series of sessions or securing my input on a retainer basis is more cost effective so please get in touch for an estimate.
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I'm happy to negotiate rates for small, indie publishers.
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I'm often booked up in advance so it's advisable to look ahead and book my time as soon as possible. I can occasionally fit in last minute projects, so it's worth getting in touch just in case.