Inside Publishing – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, Sarah speaks to Flo Lacey – scout at London Literary Scouting – about the role of scouting in the publishing industry. Flo explains what a literary scout does, delving into the highs and lows of her role, along with providing advice to those wishing to break into this less-well-known area of publishing. We also cover interesting details about what may make a book a good candidate for translation or adaptation to the screen.

Hosted and edited by Sarah Allen-Sutter (SYP London Podcast Officer)

Twitter: @SYP_UK

Website: https://thesyp.org.uk 

If you have any questions about this episode or wish to partake in the show, drop us a line at podcast.syp@gmail.com

In this episode, Sarah speaks to Emma Kiesling – audio assistant for Bonnier Books UK and fellow publishing podcaster – about working in audio publishing. Emma explains how she found her way into audiobooks, what a day on the job looks like, and how her role as audio assistant interacts with other departments. We also discuss what makes a good audiobook and answer the highly debated question: Does listening to an audiobook count as reading?

Mentioned in this episode

Uncovering Publishing podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0tau7XGdgqjepfjYYpxq6Q?si=c2a6ad5d76004c6a

Episode transcript

https://otter.ai/u/3GN5Cp8Bh_kJdT0pLIhx-bhgSsQ?utm_source=copy_url

Hosted and edited by Sarah Allen-Sutter (SYP London Podcast Officer)

Twitter: @SYP_UK

Website: https://thesyp.org.uk 

If you have any questions about this episode or wish to partake in the show, drop us a line at podcast.syp@gmail.com

In this episode, Averie speaks to Bob Orr and Sigrid Nielson, founders of Lavender Menace. Bob and Sigrid discuss the origins of Lavender Menace, the books they keep in the archive and the challenges of maintaining older books. We also cover the importance of quiet, alcohol-free queer safe spaces and the rise of online book events.

Hosted by Averie Watson (SYP Scotland Co-chair)

Edited by Nicole Fan (SYP UK Digital Content Lead)

Twitter: @SYPScotland

Website: https://thesyp.org.uk/branch/scotland/

If you have any questions about this episode or wish to partake in the show, drop us a line at podcast.syp@gmail.com

In this episode, Eleanor speaks to Megan Whitlock - Marketing Executive at BookMachine and UCLan alumni - about marketing roles within both trade and academic publishing. Megan talks candidly about the difficulties of finding the right publishing job outside of London, the promising yet hesitant move to hybrid working, as well as how book marketing has changed since the peak of BookTok. We also cover some of Megan's favourite marketing campaigns to work on so far.

Megan Whitlock
Twitter/X: @megisreading
Website: https://meglikesbigbooks.wordpress.com/
Book Machine (Marketing Executive): https://bookmachine.org/

Mentioned in this Episode:
Oxford University Press: https://corp.oup.com/
UCLan Publishing: https://uclanpublishing.com/courses/

Episode Transcript

Hosted and edited by Eleanor Bowskill (SYP North Digital Content Officer)
Twitter: @SYP_UK
Website: https://thesyp.org.uk 

If you have any questions about this episode or wish to partake in the show, drop us a line at podcast.syp@gmail.com

In this episode, Kim speaks to Meghan Capper –– literary assistant at Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency –– about her experiences of the agenting world from an entry-level perspective. We discuss the differences between the agency and publishing house side of things, burn out and managing a healthy work-life reading balance, and how to start climbing the career ladder once you've finally landed that entry-level job. 

Meghan Capper

Twitter/X: @meghan_capper

Madeleine Milburn (literary assistant): https://www.madeleinemilburn.co.uk/

Hosted and edited by Kim Singh-Sall (SYP London Communications Officer)

Twitter: @SYP_UK

Website: https://thesyp.org.uk 

If you have any questions about this episode or wish to partake in the show, drop us a line at podcast.syp@gmail.com

In this episode, Josephine speaks to Jessie Beswick all about her role as a Marketing Manager at Penguin Random House. Jessie talks candidly about her career journey; from initially training as a makeup artist, her time working in celebrity liaison to her current position as a Marketing Manager. We discuss how she broke into the industry and she also shared helpful tips on how best to forge your own career in marketing within publishing.  For more information please check out Jessie's TikTok: @jessiebeswick.

Jessie Beswick

TikTok: @jessiebeswick

Hosted and edited by Josephine Leahy (SYP Ireland Digital Content Officer)

Twitter: @SYP_UK

Website: https://thesyp.org.uk 

If you have any questions about this episode or wish to partake in the show, drop us a line at podcast.syp@gmail.com

In this episode, Nicole speaks to Reyhana Ismail — an experienced illustrator, book designer, and aspiring author, whose clients include Hachette Children’s (UK) and the award-winning Storymix, a children's fiction development company with a focus on inclusive representation. Listen in to hear all about Reyhana’s unconventional path into the field, her creative process of designing and illustrating childrens’ books, as well as the importance of book design (and why it’s okay to judge a book by its cover!).

Reyhana Ismail
Website: https://reyoflightdesign.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reyhana_illustrates
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reyhana-ismail/ 
Pinterest Boards: 

• Book Cover Design: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/ReyofLightDesign/book-cover-design 
• Childrens’ Book Layouts: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/ReyofLightDesign/childrens-book-layouts 
• Illustration: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/ReyofLightDesign/illustration 

Mentioned in this episode
HarperCollins Design Academy: https://www.harpercollinsacademy.co.uk/about-the-academies/about-the-design-academy/
Farshore and HarperCollins ‘Reading for Pleasure’ research: https://www.farshore.co.uk/resources-for-everyone/research-and-insights/
Domestika: https://www.domestika.org/en
Skillshare: https://www.skillshare.com/en/ 

Episode transcript
https://thesyp.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/All-About-Book-Design_Inside-Publishing-S2E1_Transcript.docx

Hosted and edited by Nicole Fan (SYP UK Digital Content Lead)
Twitter: @SYP_UK
Website: https://thesyp.org.uk 

If you have any questions about this episode or wish to partake in the show, drop us a line at podcast.syp@gmail.com

In this episode, Emily speaks to Sophie Dickinson –– Communications Officer for SYP South West –– about gaining publishing experience whilst at university. Sophie discusses her top tips for students looking to break into the industry, delving into setting up and running her own Bookstagram, working for her university careers service, and getting involved with student societies. We also discuss how experiences seemingly unrelated to publishing can help you to develop essential skills for a career in the industry. 

Sophie Dickinson 
Twitter: @sophdickinson02
Instagram: @sophsbookss

Hosted and edited by Emily Passmore (SYP South West Digital Content Officer)
Twitter: @SYP_UK
Website: https://thesyp.org.uk 

If you have any questions about this episode or wish to partake in the show, drop us a line at podcast.syp@gmail.com

In this episode, Laura speaks to Becca Parkinson –– Marketing Coordinator at Manchester University Press –– about the world of academic publishing. Becca shares insight into what you might expect when working within academic publishing, her career journey, and the exciting things on the horizon for Manchester University Press.

Rebecca Parkinson

Twitter: @beccap1502

Manchester University Press: https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/

Hosted and edited by Laura Lewis (SYP North Digital Content Officer)

Twitter: @SYPNorth and @SYP_UK

Website: https://thesyp.org.uk 

If you have any questions about this episode or wish to partake in the show, drop us a line at podcast.syp@gmail.com

In this episode, Kim speaks to Sue Buswell, Editorial Director for Picture Books at Andersen Press, an independent children's publisher most known for publishing the beloved Elmer the Patchwork Elephant. Sue talks about her career, how children's publishing has changed over the years and what she sees and hopes for the future. She offers some helpful advice for anyone looking to get into children's publishing or anyone who might not have considered it, with some tips on crafting a stand-out application. We also discuss the challenges the children's publishing industry, and the wider industry, are facing in terms of hiring and retaining new talent. 

Sue Buswell
Andersen Press: https://www.andersenpress.co.uk/

Hosted and edited by Kim Singh-Sall (SYP London Communications Officer)
Twitter: @SYP_UK
Website: https://thesyp.org.uk 

If you have any questions about this episode or wish to partake in the show, drop us a line at podcast.syp@gmail.com