Hello! This is my bi-weekly update on publishing. I hope you haven’t missed me too much, but here I am again with another catch-up for all you wonderful people who are dying to get into the industry just as much as I am. So, without further ado, here’s another segment of the blind leading the blind! This week was Working in Publishing Week , with many major publishing houses and publishing-focused organisations hosting events, webinars, and posts designed to help publishing hopefuls understand the industry, how to break in, what each department does, and more. As part of this, BookCareers  ran Q&A sessions in partnership with HarperCollins  and Penguin Random House , where two representatives from each company answered our questions. I was also lucky enough to have a brief one-to-one chat with the speaker from PRH, which was such a lovely opportunity. So for this week’s update, I thought I’d share everything I’ve learned, hopefully you’ll find something helpful, too! Stephanie Jemmet – Senior Acquisitions Officer at Harper Collins What advice would you give to someone who wants to move into publishing but has no experience? Publishing is a strong industry to move into even without direct experience, especially at entry level. Employers don’t expect an extensive background; they look for transferable skills from areas like customer service, hospitality, retail, and events. What matters is showing how your existing experience is relevant and how you can apply those skills to the role. Direct publishing experience isn’t essential when starting out. Do you have advice for someone with editorial experience in educational publishing trying to get into trade? Focus on showing genuine passion for the trade area you’re applying to. It’s important to explain why that specific publisher, imprint, or list appeals to you, rather than speaking broadly about publishing as a whole. Demonstrating real interest in their books and the direction of their list will help strengthen your application. What impact is AI having on the publishing landscape, and what challenges does the industry face? AI is reshaping day-to-day workflows by taking on tasks that don’t require a strong human or personal touch. It can help with administrative or repetitive processes, freeing teams to spend more time on creative, thoughtful, and time-intensive work. Many publishers are using AI to streamline areas such as recruitment, candidate tracking, and scoring, roles where efficiency matters more than creative judgement. At the same time, there are clear policies in place to ensure AI isn’t used to replace or erase human creativity. The focus is on using AI responsibly for non-creative tasks while protecting the integrity of human-led work. What can you tell us about Interviews? A strong understanding of the specific role and the imprint you’re applying to is crucial. This means knowing why the imprint was launched, the kinds of books it has acquired, and the authors it publishes. Focusing on the imprint rather than the overall publishing house is important, as the house itself is too broad. It helps to understand the imprint’s vision and where it sits within the market. Adding thoughtful details can make you stand out, for example, if you’re interested in commercial fiction, you don’t need to only mention books from that publisher; instead, show a solid understanding of commercial fiction as a whole. Re-read the job description carefully, align your examples to what they’re asking for, and present yourself as someone who genuinely wants this  specific role. What are you looking for in answers? Strong answers are creative, clear, and supported by specific examples. It’s important to stay concise rather than trying to fill the word count, every sentence should add something new. Read your response back and check whether it genuinely answers the question being asked. Clarity and relevance matter more than length, so focus on making each point purposeful and well-considered. Can I come into the industry even if I don’t have publishing experience but experience from another sector? It’s absolutely possible to enter publishing from a different industry. Marketing is often a particularly accessible route in, and some children’s teams specifically look for people with backgrounds in areas like TV or radio. Creating content for parents, who are the actual buyers of children’s books, is a highly transferable experience. Bringing skills from other industries can add fresh perspectives to a team. It helps to show that you’ve paid attention to book marketing campaigns, talk about which ones you admired and why, and even what you felt didn’t work. Coming from outside the industry can allow you to offer unique insights during interviews. How do I smash an interview or prepare? Thorough preparation is key. Practice by role-playing different scenarios to get into the right mindset and anticipate questions. Research the position carefully, but also keep an open mind about the role and how your skills could fit. Being well-prepared helps you answer confidently and adapt to the flow of the interview. As for work before entering the industry, what do you suggest? Working in retail, particularly as a bookseller, is an excellent way to gain relevant experience while waiting to enter publishing. You encounter a wide range of situations and customers, which helps develop transferable skills like communication, problem-solving, and adaptability. In reality, any experience that builds these kinds of skills can be valuable when moving into the publishing industry. Any other advice? Stay aware of social media platforms and engage with the wider book world. Visit bookshops, talk to booksellers, and pay attention to what’s trending and selling well. Sign up for newsletters and follow relevant updates, but let this learning be organic, you don’t need to know everything. A general awareness of trends and influences across different platforms is more than enough to demonstrate engagement and interest in the industry. What would recruiters look for when hiring? They look for strong relationship-building skills, the ability to follow up effectively, and clear, professional communication. People skills are crucial, as the role often involves connecting with others to promote and sell books. A good candidate also demonstrates awareness of the wider world and can communicate appropriately with different audiences. How are applications reviewed, and what makes a strong one? All applications are reviewed at least twice, so each one is always seen, meticulousness is essential. Because the volume of applications is high, it’s important to avoid mistakes or inconsistencies. Strong applications are detailed yet concise, written in your authentic voice, and free from unnecessary filler. Don’t rely on AI-generated answers; originality and genuine expression matter. ​​AI can be a concern in applications because it often produces repetitive answers with the same themes, words, and structures across many submissions. This makes responses less authentic and can be easily spotted by reviewers, so relying on AI-generated answers is discouraged. What kind of news is worth following up on when it comes to editorial? It’s important to stay aware of current trends and what people are talking about, as well as emerging topics throughout the year. Understanding these patterns helps you anticipate what will resonate with audiences. Being generally aware of the wider world and cultural developments is also valuable for editorial insight. How should you approach answering editorial questions? When answering, focus on the impact of the item, not just a description of what it is. Explain what it means and why it matters, whether you’re discussing an article, film, book, TV show, or other media. Framing your answer in terms of relevance and significance demonstrates insight and critical thinking. What are the systems used at HarperCollins? HC uses Plan G as their primary system. For those who don’t use Plan G directly, Horizon is used instead. Data from Plan G feeds into Horizon, which is then used to generate international sales reports. How does BeApplied work? Each answer is scored on a scale of 1–5, and an average is calculated. The process is anonymous and randomised, so they don’t know the identity of the applicant until the interview stage. Do courses or training help you get into publishing? Formal courses or training don’t directly lead to a job offer in publishing. Gaining real experience and developing practical skills and competencies through hands-on work is far more valuable. What’s the best way to connect with industry professionals? Most people are open to connection requests, which can lead to opportunities for coffee chats or informal conversations. Use LinkedIn to gauge interest, send connection requests, and engage with posts by liking or commenting to build rapport and stay visible within the industry. Elizabeth Simpson, Recruitment Programmes & Outreach Advisor – Penguin Random House  How do you support junior staff to gain relevant skills in the company? The company supports junior staff through a combination of internal learning and development programmes and external training opportunities. Summer internships and traineeships provide early insight into the business. Juniors and above can access training through initiatives like the Penguin Academy, which offers introductions to book markets, trends, and more, as well as professional development courses ranging from half-day sessions to full-day programmes. There are also longer-term programmes, such as the Editorial Development Programme. Staff are encouraged to seek external training when needed, and internal mentoring provides further support and guidance for career development. What helps an applicant to stand out in an interview Applicants stand out by clearly demonstrating the skills essential to the role, even if they don’t have prior publishing experience. Explain which skills you have and provide strong examples of how you’ve applied them, these examples don’t need to come from professional or publishing contexts. Showing initiative in your application and the way you present yourself also makes a difference. Conducting research as part of your application demonstrates understanding of the team and their work; for example, if applying to an imprint, explain why you like the books they publish. While this research shouldn’t dominate your application, showing awareness of the wider publishing industry highlights that you are informed and knowledgeable about the field. What opportunities are at Penguin that let you get a feel for publishing Penguin offers a two-week paid work experience programme, allowing individuals to explore the company without committing to a long-term role. It’s open to students, those with full-time jobs elsewhere, or even retirees wanting to try something new. The application process is simple, and participants are randomly selected through a lottery system. Around 200 people are accepted each year across five application windows. This programme can provide insight into which department you might want to work in, help develop skills to highlight in future applications, and in some cases, lead directly to job opportunities. Hiring managers often remember those who have completed work experience, making it a valuable way to get your foot in the door. How does Penguin view the use of AI in applications? Penguin doesn’t use tools to automatically flag AI-generated content, though they may suspect it if a cover letter lacks a personal voice, specific details, or clear articulation of experiences. Attention to detail is key. Using AI to polish text, improve flow, or check grammar is acceptable, but applicants should always represent their own skills, knowledge, and experiences. Is Penguin using AI to select candidates? No, Penguin does not use AI to select candidates. Applications are reviewed and long-listed by people, and interviews are conducted by humans. While this could change in the future, for now it’s entirely human-led. Given the high volume of applications, sometimes colleagues read up to 1,000 in a week, it’s important to make your application stand out. What are the key pillars of Penguin’s employer brand? Penguin’s employer brand is built around four pillars, expressed as pairs of contrasting terms that reflect their values. They emphasise balancing a long-standing 90-year legacy with innovation and forward-thinking (enduring and advancing), working at both large scale and in smaller teams on individual and shared projects (large and small), and combining business success with meaningful impact (profit and purpose).  I forgot to include the fourth point and I can’t find it anywhere, sorry! Is it worth submitting an application closer to the open date? For most applications, it’s not necessary to submit right when the role opens. Applications are typically only reviewed after the deadline, so submitting earlier or later generally doesn’t affect your chances of being seen or selected. Occasionally, a role may close early if there is an unusually high volume of applications, but this is rare. Are there any computer skills you need to know when applying? Penguin uses systems like Biblio and BookScan, but applicants are not expected to have prior experience with them. Typical blunders in applications Common mistakes include leaving AI prompts in your submission and not carefully following the instructions in the job advert. Entry-level roles often ask you to complete a specific task as part of your cover letter, so failing to address these requirements can prevent your application from progressing. CVs and cover letters should be tailored to the role you’re applying for, including the specific team if relevant. It’s also important to mention the books and lists associated with the role to show genuine interest and understanding. Avoid submitting vague or overly broad applications that aren’t tailored to the specific role. General cover letters are not effective. Always read the instructions carefully, including the required length and what information should be included. What application materials does Penguin ask for, and what’s most important? For traditional roles, Penguin requests a CV and cover letter. At entry level, the cover letter is particularly important, as applicants may have limited work experience. It’s your opportunity to explain why you’re the right person for the role. For the CV, make it clear and well-structured, using headers and listing the most recent or relevant experience first. Include specific projects and outcomes to demonstrate your skills and achievements. How does career mobility work at Penguin, and how can you make the most of it? Once you start, there are opportunities to move around within the industry. Communicating your long-term goals, for example, where you see yourself in 5–10 years, allows your manager to support your development and help create opportunities to advance your career. How should you handle additional questions in a cover letter application? Keep your cover letter to one side of A4. If the job advert instructs you to incorporate answers into the cover letter, do so; if it says “in addition,” provide them separately. This tests your ability to read and follow instructions carefully. 1-1 Questions  How helpful are connections in the publishing industry, and what’s the best way to reach out? Connections can be useful for gathering information and guidance, but they won’t automatically get you into the industry. References aren’t typically a deciding factor for entry-level roles; their value comes later once you’re already working in publishing. Connections are most helpful for accessing insights or advice that aren’t publicly available. The best way to reach out is through LinkedIn, send a polite message with a clear question. Don’t expect a meeting or a lengthy chat, as people are busy, but they may respond to answer your query. The worst that can happen is they don’t reply, so it’s always worth trying. Reaching out thoughtfully never looks bad and can provide useful guidance. Is breaking into publishing sometimes just a waiting game, or a matter of luck? Getting noticed can involve both preparation and a bit of luck. It helps to get your cover letter in front of as many relevant people as possible to revise it and check things you couldn’t see. But once it’s written, you can only submit it and move forward, you can’t endlessly revise it. Part of the process is being eligible for roles and having the right combination of skills and interests. Focus on positions where you not only have the skills but also a genuine connection to the type of work or books the team produces. Over time, consistent effort combined with aligning your applications to the right opportunities increases your chances of being noticed. And to all my lost bookworms, Stay Steadfast x

Welcome to your weekly roundup of all things books! We’re keeping it short and sweet, just five stories to keep you in the loop without overwhelming you. Think of this as your quick fix for staying connected to the book world. I) Leadership Shake-Up at WH Smith Following Deloitte Report Carl Cowling, CEO and board director of WH Smith (recently rebranded as TG Jones), has resigned following an independent Deloitte review. The company is now searching for a new chief executive. The review, released on 18 November, found “insufficient systems, controls and review procedures for supplier income across commercial and finance functions.” It also highlighted inconsistent accounting practices within the company’s North America division. The investigation was launched after an accounting error that wiped millions from the company’s profits and caused its shares to tumble. Cowling has addressed the situation directly, saying: “I recognise the seriousness of this situation and as Group CEO feel it is only right that I step down from my position. It has been a privilege to lead WH Smith for the past six years.” II) AI and the Future of Writing: Creatives Speak Out” There’s a growing fear among novelists, with 51% of published UK authors believing AI could eventually replace their work. This comes from a new Cambridge University report, carried out by the Minderoo Centre for Technology & Democracy. Even more worrying, 59% of writers said their work has already been used without permission or payment to train large language models (LLMs). It’s a huge copyright concern, and many authors feel exploited as a result. This is exactly what creatives in the UK were anxious about when Donald Trump visited with major tech figures to discuss AI investment, the sense that the creative arts could be pushed aside or threatened. With AI expanding so quickly, it’s incredibly difficult to set firm boundaries or establish meaningful protections around something so fast-moving and unpredictable. Every time I hear about AI, I feel torn. Of course it’s helpful and an incredible development, but when it comes anywhere near dismantling creative work. or being used as a cheap alternative that takes opportunities away from people who spend years perfecting their craft, I can’t support it. Creatives absolutely have a reason to be worried. Maybe I’m naive, but right now AI still can’t do what humans do when it comes to making good literature. You can tell when something has no heart in it, it feels flat and personality-less. Whether I’ll be able to say the same in the future, once AI has developed even further and we keep pouring time, energy, and money into it, I honestly don’t know. III) Science Fiction & Fantasy Sales Soar as 2025 Promises Even More Growth Unsurprisingly, Science Fiction and Fantasy had its biggest year on record in 2024, with sales reaching just under £84 million. In 2025, numbers are only expected to rise, with NielsenIQ reporting £79.9 million in sales so far. Romanasy is partly responsible for this boom, with authors generating huge revenue, for example, Rebecca Yarros’s Onyx Storm  sold 296,581 copies, bringing in £4.4 million that year. When it comes to classic fantasy, older, historically dominant authors are now less central to sales as opposed to the romantasy genre. A prime example is SenLin Yu’s Alchemised , published on 23 September, which became one of the biggest SFF debuts of the year. Interestingly, it began as a piece of fanfiction, showing just how much the landscape of fantasy publishing is evolving. IV) Big Changes at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (LBYR) has implemented several strategic changes to its editorial operations, including the launch of a new boutique imprint and the creation of two distinct editorial groups. Alvina Ling, currently VP and Editor-in-Chief for the division, has been named VP and Publisher of another, as-yet-unnamed imprint. Details about the imprint (including its name, logo, and launch list) will be announced next year. The LBYR editorial team will now be divided into two groups: one focused on Young Readers (ages 0–12) and the other on Older Readers and Upper Nonfiction (12+). LBYR has also hired Erin Berger, a veteran children’s publisher, who joined on 10 November as VP and Publishing Director for Young Readers. Meanwhile, Lisa Yoskowitz, formerly VP and Executive Editorial Director at LBYR, has been promoted to VP and Publishing Director for Older Readers. V) Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping: Trailer Reactions On 20 November, the official teaser trailer for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping  dropped, and boy, am I excited! The film is set to be released on 20 November 2026, so we’ve got a whole year to wait. First thoughts: I’m always a bit biased when it comes to the Hunger Games franchise, so shoot me! But here’s what I think. Glenn Close as Druisilla looks incredible, both unrecognisable and exactly how I imagined her. Just from her entrances and her few lines, it’s clear she’s going to fully embody the role. Portraying someone as unhinged and peculiar as a selfish, brainwashed Capitol citizen isn’t easy, but she seems to have nailed it. The arena looks incredible, and I’m so intrigued to see how it will make me feel in terms of apprehension and fear. In all the previous Hunger Games arenas, the settings weren’t “dazzling” or light, which made you feel a deep sense of dread and discomfort. This time, however, it has rolling hills, vibrant flowers, and is bursting with colour. I obviously know what’s lurking behind that beauty, but I’m really curious to see how it will feel in contrast to the previous arenas. Just looking at the sheer number of tributes is terrifying. If 24 tributes already felt intimidating, 48 is absolutely insane to think about. Seeing them all standing on their podiums is even more alarming. The numbered countdown? Absolutely brilliant. It works perfectly, especially evoking a different era of the Hunger Games setting. Snow’s 10th Hunger Games had a post-World War II Reconstruction feel. Haymitch’s era carries a 1980s vibe, reflecting a cyclical history, with styles and trends resurfacing over time. Overall, the visual aesthetic they’re establishing is great: it maintains the iconic look of the series while heightening the tension, fear, and anticipation that define the Games. Snow looks fantastic. Ralph Fiennes is an absolutely brilliant choice. I love him, and he’s perfect to slot in between Tom Blyth and Donald Sutherland. The same goes for Jesse Plemons, such a strong casting choice. The casting is insane. I just wish the team behind Hunger Games was in charge of all adaptations. That said, I do have a few qualms… The clothes look too processed, modern, and cheap. I’m not overly impressed, everything feels a bit too clean. Especially compared to the first time we see Katniss in The Hunger Games  and her home in District 12, where the characters looked worn, poor, and realistically gritty. In the short clip I saw (and I know that’s not much to go on), everyone just looks too polished. The close-ups of Lenore Dove and Haymitch, for example, why are they glowing and dewy? I’d love it if they looked a bit rougher, a bit stinky, like they're in poverty...which they are. I also don’t like the flint. It’s so much bigger than I imagined and looks a bit too clunky. Unlike the Mockingjay pin, which is sleek and simple, the flint with its rainbow ombré isn’t great to look at. I know that’s how it’s described in the book, but we didn’t seem to mind changing Haymitch’s brown hair, so for aesthetic reasons, I wish it had been handled differently. Apart from that, though, very exciting!

Welcome to your weekly roundup of all things books! We’re keeping it short and sweet, just five stories to keep you in the loop without overwhelming you. Think of this as your quick fix for staying connected to the book world. I) Booker Prize 2025 Goes to David Szalay’s Flesh The British-Hungarian author David Szalay has won this year’s Booker Prize for his novel Flesh . The story opens with a teenage István, living with his mother in a quiet apartment complex in Hungary. He is emotionally distant and deeply isolated. Flesh  unfolds as a series of intimate vignettes spanning decades, an unflinching portrait of a man who’s perpetually at odds with himself. Roddy Doyle, who chaired the judging panel, praised the book’s uniqueness: “What we particularly liked about Flesh  was its singularity. It’s just not like any other book … It’s a dark book, but we all found it a joy to read.” Congratulations, David Szalay! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugGpoi1CifY   II)   OUP Announces 113 UK Job Cuts Amid Market Pressures OUP has announced that it is beginning a collective consultation with staff, a formal process to discuss proposed redundancies. The plan includes cutting 113 jobs in the UK, which the company attributes to "ongoing difficult trading conditions." Unsurprisingly, OUP points to continued pressure in its Education and ELT (English Language Teaching) divisions as a major factor. This reflects wider issues across the education sector in publishing. Just last week, for instance, we discussed how Hachette Learning notified staff on 5 November 2025 that an unspecified number of roles are “at risk of redundancy,” with a consultation now underway. A smaller number of positions in the Academic and Technology divisions at OUP may also be affected. OUP reported a turnover of £796 million for 2024/25, but highlighted “market challenges,” particularly a decline in UK school business and in print sales of academic books. This isn’t the first time OUP has made cuts. In 2024, it eliminated roles in its U.S. operations, including positions in design and content transformation teams. The fact that the latest cuts are concentrated in Education and ELT suggests that OUP is particularly vulnerable in these markets, likely due to broader shifts such as reduced school funding, increased digital competition, and declining demand for printed materials. It’s a trend that could worsen. I’ll be keeping a close eye on it, as the situation is already causing significant concern across the industry, and it doesn’t feel like a safe bet right now. III) From Fashion to Fiction: Shein Now Selling Books Is there anything Shein doesn’t do? Up until this week, you could’ve said books, but not anymore. The Singapore-based fast fashion and lifestyle giant is now making its first move into bookselling through a partnership with Alibris. The used books retailer will offer more than 100,000 titles across a range of genres, including "affordable textbooks", through Shein’s U.S. marketplace. In a survey conducted by Shein of more than 11,000 U.S. adults, roughly one in three respondents reported reading books either daily or weekly. The findings point to a vibrant and growing reading community, especially among Gen Z, who are helping drive a resurgence in print. Romance was the most popular genre, followed by fantasy and mystery. That said, the implications are worrying. Shein is known for ultra-low-cost, high-volume retail. Applying that model to books could normalise aggressive pricing and “cheap books,” putting pressure on smaller or independent booksellers who can’t compete. Over time, it could also squeeze publishers’ margins if Shein leverages high volume and deep discounts. We’ve already seen how dominant platforms like Amazon have reshaped the industry, often to the detriment of smaller publishers and authors. Shein’s entry into the book market risks amplifying that trend, siphoning off more of the online book-buying audience and reducing industry diversity. For independent bookstores already under strain, this could be one more blow. Cheap books aren’t inherently a problem, many people simply can’t afford full-price books, myself being one of them. But if your goal is to save money, there are plenty of alternatives: buying second-hand on Vinted or World of Books, visiting a library, or picking up books at a charity shop. Affordable options already exist without letting ultra-low-cost mass retailers reshape the market. IV) Fergie’s New Children’s Book Faces Sudden Withdrawal Unsurprisingly, and arguably wisely, Sarah Ferguson’s new children’s book , Flora and Fern: Kindness Along the Way , has been withdrawn from sale. Originally scheduled for release on 9 October, according to a Bookseller  press release, it briefly appeared on Amazon with a 20 November availability, but is no longer listed. Ferguson’s representatives have declined to comment, though the reasons behind the decision are fairly easy to infer. Ms Ferguson lost her duchess title after her ex-husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, gave up his Duke of York title following his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. More recently, Andrew has also been stripped of his prince title. V) The Hunger Games Hits the Stage: Mixed Reviews for Ambitious Adaptation The Hunger Games: On Stage  made its debut on 12 November, bringing Suzanne Collins’ bestselling dystopian novels to life in a live theatre format. The story, familiar from the hit film series starring Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, follows teenagers forced to fight to the death in a televised spectacle. While ambitious and visually impressive, the show has received a mixed reception. Critics, including The Stage , applauded its technical feats and daring approach, but some felt it didn’t quite capture the emotional depth of the original story. Euan G arrett, who plays Peeta, told the BBC that it’s important for the show “not to be compared” with the books, as it’s “a reimagining of its own entity.” Performances have tightened since previews began in mid-October, when some early shows were described as “chaotic” and “messy” by theatre-goers, who reported long queues, delays, and unfinished parts of the venue. I’m set to see the show in January, so it’s still a while away, but I’m excited to see which reviews I end up agreeing with. I’m a bit skeptical, my friend saw it and said some of the artistic choices were… interesting, to say the least. Still, I want to go in with an open mind, so I shall!

I didn’t enjoy this book. Not because it was badly written, but because it really wasn’t for me. The blurb felt misleading, suggesting a story where Cassie, who escaped an abusive relationship, meets her ex again, now blind, and supposedly “holds the power.” I expected a more empowering, table-turning story, but it wasn’t that at all. Instead, it’s a heavy, unsettling read that dives deep into Cassie’s traumatic past. I wasn’t looking for a “girlboss revenge” story, but I did think there’d be more balance or catharsis. Because there wasn’t, it felt unfair and emotionally draining. The book tackles intense themes, abuse, manipulation, stalking, gaslighting, and coercion, and Cassie never truly holds the power. It reminded me of Donald Glover’s sketch “Why Are There No Crazy Man Stories?”   Watch here (start at 1:46) , where he points out how dangerous “crazy ex” stories can be for women. Men are terrifying, and this book proved it again. That said, Healey’s writing is strong and well-paced, it’s just uncomfortable and difficult to sit with. But I can imagine that being the point, so I guess she smashed it.

Hello! This is my bi-weekly update on publishing. I hope you haven’t missed me too much, but here I am again with another catch-up for all you wonderful people who are dying to get into the industry just as much as I am. So, without further ado, here’s another segment of the blind leading the blind! Nothing much to report this week, really. I’ve been applying here and there, casting the net quite wide, but still to no avail. It’s disheartening, to say the least. I spoke to my mentor, which really helped; it’s so nice to have someone encouraging you when you don’t quite have the energy to encourage yourself. Someone on LinkedIn was kind enough to share an outline of the cover letter that got them a job in publishing, and I’ve been using that as a baseline to see if it makes a difference. I’m so grateful to people who make resources accessible in this tough industry, especially those who’ve already made it and still take the time to help others. It’s exactly what I’m trying to do here, even if I don’t have the job title to match just yet! I’m attending an SYP pub quiz soon, so hopefully I’ll meet some others who are going through the same thing, that might be the encouragement I need. I’ve also signed up for two virtual Q&A sessions, one with HarperCollins and another with Penguin Random House, which I’m hoping will be insightful. I’ll report back next time with what I learn! It’s been a tough week, but then again, that seems to come with the territory when you’re chasing something you really care about. I just feel so restless with it all. And to all my lost bookworms, Stay Steadfast x

Welcome to your weekly roundup of all things books! We’re keeping it short and sweet, just five stories to keep you in the loop without overwhelming you. Think of this as your quick fix for staying connected to the book world. I) Integrity in Ink: Authors Boycott British Library Event Over Pay Dispute Writers, including Joe Hill, Stephen King’s son, have withdrawn from an event at the British Library this weekend in support of striking workers over pay. It’s always surprising, and genuinely heartening, to see well-off writers stand with those affected, showing a real sense of integrity and character. The event, titled “Tales of the Weird,” is part of the library’s popular series of ghost and horror story collections. Several authors have chosen to boycott after the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), which represents a substantial portion of the British Library’s workforce, announced strike action over what it calls “poverty wages.” Good for them. II) Four Years Later: Pan Macmillan Apologises to Kate Clanchy Kate Clanchy is a British teacher, poet, and writer, known for publishing everything from poetry to memoirs to anthologies. One of her best-known works is the memoir Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me , which draws on her years of teaching. She was even awarded an MBE for services to literature in 2018. In the summer of 2021, controversy erupted online over Some Kids… , with readers accusing the book of containing racial and ableist stereotypes and of reinforcing a “white saviour” narrative. On Goodreads, one review in particular highlighted the book’s questionable language and its almost exoticised fascination with the children it described. Clanchy responded by encouraging her followers to report the review, claiming it had fabricated a racist quote. The book was published by Picador, an imprint of Pan Macmillan, and in August 2021 Picador issued three public apologies, stating that the book would be rewritten. It later came out that some senior publishing staff hadn’t actually read the book in question, a fact that only deepened the controversy. Clanchy has said that her career suffered heavily because of the backlash. She left her long-time publisher in January 2022 and spoke openly about the severe personal toll the situation took on her. So why are we talking about this again now? On 4 November 2025, Pan Macmillan’s CEO Joanna Prior issued a public apology to Kate Clanchy, four years after their split. “This was clearly a regrettable series of events in Pan Macmillan’s past. I’m sorry for the hurt that was caused to Kate Clanchy and many others.” III) Tough Times Ahead for Hachette Learning Sad and worrying news for the publishing industry: Hachette Learning staff were informed on 5 November 2025 that an unspecified number of roles are “at risk of redundancy,” with a consultation process now underway. CEO Seshni Jacobs said that the past few years have been “extremely challenging” for UK education publishers, with the sector experiencing fundamental shifts. She highlighted the lack of funding in the UK education market and emphasised the company’s need to move from being UK-centric to becoming a “more globally focused, digitally enabled educational solutions provider.” At this stage, the exact number of roles at risk is unknown, and the specific departments or positions affected have not been disclosed. There’s also no clarity on the outcome of the consultation, how many redundancies might be enacted, or any timeline beyond November 2025. Unfortunately, the UK education publishing market has been under strain for some time: reduced funding, slower growth, and increasing digital disruption have all taken their toll. IV) Change and Growth at S&S Children’s Books On the other hand, in slightly more positive news, S&S Children’s Books has made three promotions across its sales, marketing, and publicity teams: Nicole Russo has been promoted to Executive Publicity Director. Tara Shanahan is now Senior Publicity Director. Lisa Quach has been promoted to Associate Marketing Director, overseeing a portfolio of imprints including Aladdin, Little Simon, Simon Spotlight, Simon Pulse, McElderry Books, and Scarlett Press. A lot of change is happening at S&S, exciting times for the team! V) Government Responds to Curriculum Review: What It Means for Schools and Publishers In July 2024, the Becky Francis-led Curriculum and Assessment Review was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) in England to examine how the school curriculum, assessments, and qualifications system should evolve. On 5 November 2025, the government published its formal response to the Review’s final report. To get you up to date, the key reforms include: A new Key Stage 3 reading test for Year 8 pupils and a strengthened writing assessment at Year 6. A revised English Literature syllabus featuring more diverse and representative texts that better reflect modern society. The scrapping of the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) performance measure, which had been criticised for discouraging students from taking subjects such as languages. Greater emphasis on enrichment activities, including arts, culture, sport, and civic engagement, along with the integration of media literacy, digital literacy, and critical thinking across the curriculum. The publication of a revised national curriculum by spring 2027, with implementation starting in September 2028. Industry leaders have welcomed the response. Dan Conway, CEO of the Publishers Association, praised the focus on reading and writing standards and the promotion of diverse texts. Tom Weldon, CEO of PRH UK, highlighted their own “Lit in Colour” programme and stressed the need for resources and training to help teachers implement a more diverse literature curriculum effectively.

Emily Henry proves once again that she’s a brilliant romance writer, perfectly balancing humour, plot, character, and sensuality. Romance is a tough genre, it can easily lose tension or rely on filler, but Henry manages to keep things engaging and heartfelt. While Book Lovers  remains my favourite of hers, this book still shows her knack for crafting characters with believable chemistry and witty one-liners. She clearly understands her audience and toes the line of cliché with precision. That said, this story made me realise the friends-to-lovers trope is starting to lose its spark for me. Watching two people date others for years while clearly being in love with each other felt a bit like emotional cheating, which left a sour note. Still, Henry captures the awkwardness and spark between them beautifully, especially after years apart. The opposites-attract dynamic works well, Poppy as the storm and Alex as the calm. " Maybe things can always get better between people who want to do a good job loving each other.”

Welcome to your weekly roundup of all things books! We’re keeping it short and sweet, just five stories to keep you in the loop without overwhelming you. Think of this as your quick fix for staying connected to the book world. I) End of Knights Of It’s upsetting to hear that Knights Of, the independent publisher, ceased trading on 16 October and is expected to enter liquidation during the week of 10 November. No exact reason has been given for the closure yet, and it’s unclear if we’ll ever know why. Knights Of is a children’s publisher known for addressing “the lack of representation for diverse voices” in young people’s books. Their commitment to inclusion and storytelling didn’t go unnoticed: they were named Children’s Publisher of the Year  at the 2022 British Book Awards. The closure of such a high-profile, mission-driven independent publisher raises serious concerns, not just for children’s publishing, but also for the wider landscape of independent and under-represented voices in the industry. II) Martin’s Deadline Battle: Why the Wait for Winds of Winter  Keeps Stretching For what feels like an achingly  long time (fourteen years, to be exact), fans of the Game of Thrones  series have been waiting for The Winds of Winter . Many are wondering: why? Why can’t George R.R. Martin finish it? The reason we’ve been given is surprisingly simple. Unlike some authors who can write anywhere, Martin needs a very specific environment to work. “I need my own place,” he explained. “I need my office and my settings. I've tried. I’ve occasionally taken a laptop with me—or, in the old days, a notepad or something like that. But I can’t write, really, except in my own setting with my office around me, where I can get lost in the world I’m creating instead of the world around me.” And since Martin is often travelling or tied up in other projects, The Winds of Winter  remains on standby, a status he recently confirmed in an interview with January Magazine . III) The Rise of the Lady Knight There’s no denying the impact fantasy, and more specifically, romantasy , has had on the publishing industry and BookTok as a whole. We’ve seen it with countless popular stories and recurring tropes that seem to take over the genre overnight: mystical fae, dragons, enemies-to-lovers, high courts, you name it. However, it seems that recently, more than a few fantasy enthusiasts on BookTok have declared 2025 “the year of the lady knight.” At least ten different chivalric fantasies featuring young women in armour have been published in as many months. While not all of these “lady knight” novels lean fully into fantasy, their connection to the wider romantasy  boom is clear. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out to see if this one truly takes off. IV) AI According to Bloomsbury's CEO Nigel Newton, founder and CEO of Bloomsbury, recently said that AI will “help creativity” by enabling writers and creatives to get “back in the zone.” “I think AI will probably help creativity,” Newton explained, “because it will enable the eight billion people on the planet to get started on some creative area where they might have hesitated to take the first step.” I have mixed feelings about this. If you start dabbling in AI, it can be hard to get out of that rut. If you use it to write the “first paragraph” or even the “first chapter,” as Newton suggests, what’s to stop you from letting it do most of the work? Isn’t part of the beauty of writing in the messy first draft, the one that might be terrible, but still came entirely from you? That’s where your voice and growth as a writer come from. With AI, the process often starts out polished, and somehow that doesn’t feel right. I understand the idea of moderation, but I’m not sure we can truly practise it when AI can brainstorm ideas or draft entire paragraphs for us. It’s especially interesting to hear this stance from the CEO of a publishing house that champions humanity, individuality, and authenticity, values that seem at odds with the use of AI in this way. V) BBB Festival x Pan Macmillan Selina Brown, the organiser of the Black British Book Festival, announced this month that the festival is teaming up with Pan Macmillan on a new publishing collaboration. The plan is to release both adult and children’s books, with the first ones expected to hit shelves in 2027. But alongside the good news, there’s a worrying trend. This year, the festival saw a 50% drop in the number of books pitched by publishers, something Brown says points to a “definite issue in Black authors being acquired.”

Hello! This is my bi-weekly update on publishing. I hope you haven’t missed me too much, but here I am again with another catch-up for all you wonderful people who are dying to get into the industry just as much as I am. So, without further ado, here’s another segment of the blind leading the blind! Another two weeks have flown by, and this time I actually have some real information, proper intelligence, not just me rambling and hoping I make sense or actually help anyone (including myself)! No gatekeeping here. Last week, I had the chance to meet and chat with a Marketing Director at a major publishing house. I feel so lucky because this connection came from another opportunity to meet publishing professionals for advice. I reached out after getting their contact details, and they actually responded! It reminded me that even if you think someone “too busy” wouldn’t have time for you, it’s always worth asking. My mindset was simple: if you don’t ask, the answer is 100% “no.” If you do ask, there’s at least a small chance it could be “yes.” And this time… it really was! Here’s what I learnt: The main thing that stuck with me was AI. T he director explained that it’s perfectly acceptable to use AI, and that not doing so could put you at a disadvantage, since other applicants are likely benefiting from it as well. But here’s the key: it’s how  you use it that matters. They can spot an AI-generated answer from a mile away. AI shouldn’t be doing the thinking for you, your answers need to be genuine. It can help with structure, grammar, punctuation, or other small details, but your ideas and experiences need to be real. Otherwise, your application will end up reading exactly like everyone else’s, and you won’t get noticed. Stand out, because being different is essential, and AI, on its own, won’t do that for you. As for interviews, if you’re lucky enough to get that far, the main thing is to be authentic. Sounds obvious, right? But nerves or expectations can make people come across as too intense or “perfect,” with rehearsed lines. Knowledge and research are important, of course, but publishing is a people business. You’ll be working with authors and clients, so you need to show that you can build good relationships with colleagues too. Be honest, but in a way that makes you look appealing. Don’t trip yourself up thinking that “showing your real self” means oversharing flaws, focus on your strengths and what you do well. For example, if someone asks, “How would your peers describe you?” don’t say something like, “They can’t rely on me, I’m all over the place,” or something scripted like, “I’ve always got my head in a book.” Instead, surprise and excite the interviewers. It’s a conversation, after all, and they’re doing a lot of them, so stand out in a positive way! Research! Knowledge! You need to know the imprint, department, or team you’re applying to inside out (like the back of your hand) as if you already work there. You need to show real passion. What books have they recently published? Read them, learn about them, and understand how the team contributed, whether through marketing, editorial, sales, or something else. And here’s a tip: bring one of their books with you to the interview. I thought that might be “too much,” but it’s not! It actually shows how serious you are and that you genuinely care, care enough to buy their work and engage with it. Share an interest in the people interviewing you, interesting people are interested in others! Have some questions ready about their work to show you’ve done your research. Keep it natural and informed, but you don’t need to spend the whole interview offloading every detail about their family tree, that might be a bit too intense! Keep your CV to one page if you can, they’ll be flicking through them like wildfire. Get rid of anything they probably won’t think twice about. Don’t stress too much about listing your education (don’t worry too much for A-levels, let alone GCSEs). Publishing has always been about experience, and it still is, so lean on that wherever you can. Last but not least, contacts are everything. Publishing is tiny, so knowing someone in the industry can really help. Of course, the director acknowledged it’s easier said than done, and a lot of the advice they gave I might have already heard, but it’s true . These steps and rules are what many people actually follow to get into the industry, so live by them ( as much as your resources and opportunities allow ). We spoke about so much more, moving beyond application processes to chat more generally about her career, what I’m doing, and some of the up-and-coming news in publishing, new imprints, book deals, and whether she’s been impacted by any of it. And of course, just some general chit-chat. It was such a lovely experience. I was super nervous, so meeting someone so calm, encouraging, and welcoming was amazing. I never once felt rushed, small, or out of place, even talking to someone so high up in the industry. It really gave me a boost, and I hope you find this article helpful too! And to all my lost bookworms, Stay Steadfast x

Welcome to your weekly roundup of all things books! We’re keeping it short and sweet, just five stories to keep you in the loop without overwhelming you. Think of this as your quick fix for staying connected to the book world. I) Tiny Judges, Big Impact: The New Children’s Booker Prize The Booker Prize has announced a brand-new award dedicated to children’s fiction, and what makes it so exciting is the judging panel itself. Alongside three experienced adult judges (including Frank Cottrell-Boyce, author of Millions , which won the CILIP Carnegie Medal in 2004), there will also be three children helping to choose the winning book. At least 30,000 copies of the shortlisted and winning titles will be gifted to children, ensuring these stories reach young readers directly. Each shortlisted author will receive £2,500, while the winning author will take home £50,000. Publishers will be able to submit entries in spring 2026, when the remaining two adult judges will be announced. The shortlist of eight books will be revealed in November next year, and the overall winner will be celebrated at an event for young readers in February 2027. This news isn’t a total shock, especially if you’ve read my last few blog pieces. We already know that children’s reading for pleasure is at an all-time low. With the announcement of the National Year of Reading 2026, it’s clear there’s a very real concern that reading isn’t heading in the direction we’d like. It’s genuinely encouraging to see organisations coming together to try to change that. II) Kate Elton Appointed CEO of HarperCollins UK As discussed two weeks ago, HarperCollins UK CEO Charlie Redmayne, has resigned. Kate Elton initially stepped in as interim CEO, but it’s now been confirmed that she has been formally appointed to the position. Elton will sit on the global executive committee and report directly to HarperCollins president and CEO Brian Murray. She previously served as group managing editor for the publisher’s adult commercial divisions. Here’s what Elton had to say about the appointment: “The HarperCollins team is second to none – their creativity, passion, and dedication are genuinely inspiring – and I'm deeply honored to now be asked to lead the team as CEO.” Congratulations to Kate Elton! III) Royalty Rumble: Hachette’s New System Hits a Glitch Hachette UK has recently moved to a new royalty-accounting system and has just completed its first full batch of royalty statements using the new software. However, the rollout hasn’t gone entirely smoothly, reports suggest there have been “discrepancies” in the statements. While payments to authors are being made, the statements sent to agents and authors are said to be “riddled with errors.” Katie Espiner, CEO of Hachette UK’s adult divisions, has acknowledged the issues in a statement to the Association of Authors’ Agents (AAA) and promised the matter will be treated with the “utmost urgency” to resolve delays. This doesn’t look great for Hachette. When royalty statements are faulty, it can really undermine authors’ trust in their publisher. There’s also the issue of workload, it’s likely they didn’t anticipate just how much time and staff power it would take to fix these problems quickly. It’s also not ideal for their reputation; one mistake and the internet’s on it like wildfire (here I am adding to those numbers). It’s a good reminder that publishing isn’t just about books, it’s also about the operational infrastructure and the business behind it. Never forget that. IV) National Year of Reading 2026 is Here: And It’s Time to Go All In! The National Reading Campaign that we’ve all been hearing about has finally unveiled its official brand identity, and a new director. Delivered by the National Literacy Trust in partnership with the Department for Education, the campaign is titled “Go All In” , with the tagline: “If you’re into it, read into it.” The idea is to reframe reading as a way into things people already love, music, sport, culture, socialising, rather than something purely academic or obligatory. The campaign is directed by David Hayman, and I’m genuinely excited to see where it goes. Here’s hoping all the hard work pays off and helps reignite a love of reading across the country. V) Tiny Detectives, Big Mysteries: Christie for Kids! Agatha Christie, the “Queen of Crime” and the best-selling novelist of all time, is hitting another milestone, four of her famous mysteries are being adapted for children! Goodness, what a year for young readers, they’re getting spoiled over here! Even better, these adaptations are in collaboration with Mr Men and Little Miss, making them even more fun and accessible for kids. The illustrated books will feature Christie’s iconic detectives, Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, teaming up with Roger Hargreaves’s much-loved children’s characters. The first two titles, Little Miss Marple: Muddle at the Vicarage  and Mr Poirot: Mischief on the Nile , will be published this Thursday, with two more set to follow in February. James Prichard, Agatha Christie's great grandson, said it was a "dream collaboration" The partnership will form part of Agatha Christie Limited’s anniversary programme next year, marking 50 years since the celebrated author’s death. It’s so exciting that young readers will be introduced to such classic stories much earlier than previous generations. What a wonderful idea!

I first read this book as a pre-teen and I loved it. Back then, YA felt like the pinnacle of great literature – though it was also all I was reading. I never finished the trilogy, and over time I forgot most of the story, aside from the premise and a few small spoilers. Spotting it in a charity shop for £2.50, I couldn’t resist a reread. The concept is gripping: young people are Slated , their memories erased, supposedly to give them a second chance after their involvement in terrorism. Each Slated wears a Levo that monitors their emotional state; dip too low, and it can be dangerous or even fatal. They must remain calm, happy, and nonviolent, but as with any government, things aren’t as clean-cut as they seem. We follow Kyla, Slated at sixteen, who doesn’t quite fit the mold. It’s not perfect literature, but it’s compelling, fast-paced, and surprisingly thoughtful for YA. Reading it again felt like reconnecting with my younger self, familiar, comforting, and thrilling all over again. A great read for younger audiences, full of intrigue, heart, and ideas that stick.

Welcome to your weekly roundup of all things books! We’re keeping it short and sweet, just five stories to keep you in the loop without overwhelming you. Think of this as your quick fix for staying connected to the book world. I)  Join the Reading Revolution: The Sunday Times Campaign The Sunday Times has launched a reading campaign to encourage Britain to keep reading, and it’s all about making books more accessible and enjoyable! Here’s how you can get involved: Donate to Bookbanks to help put books in the hands of those who need them most. Volunteer to read in schools through Coram Beanstalk. Take the pledge to read for pleasure for at least ten minutes a day over the next six weeks. We all know (and research backs it up) that reading benefits your life, it broadens your horizons, improves mental health, builds knowledge, and is just a really enjoyable pastime. As I’ve highlighted here over the past few weeks, the number of children who never read for fun is rising across every age group, according to the National Literacy Trust. One in five children aged 11-13 never pick up a book voluntarily, and fewer parents are reading to their kids. It’s great to see The Sunday Times stepping in to help change that. Publishers like HarperCollins and Pan Macmillan are supporting the campaign, along with more than 90 leading figures, including Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Sebastian Faulks, Julia Donaldson, Graham Norton, Ian McEwan, Michael Palin, and Jamie Oliver. If you want to get involved, here’s the link to sign up: https://link.thetimes.co.uk/join/74t/signup-get-britain-reading   II) R.F. Kuang’s Big Year Fantastic news! R.F. Kuang has signed a new four-book deal with HarperCollins UK. 2025 is shaping up to be an amazing year for her: Katabasis  has been released, she’s continuing her PhD in East Asian Languages & Literatures at Yale, and now this new deal, she’s really doing brilliantly. I’m super eager to see what she does with these four books. HarperCollins clearly can’t get enough of her! Kuang has said she already has ideas up to her 12th novel. Kuang seems to constantly let ideas/stories float around in her mind until they’re needed. Her next novel, the seventh, is called Taipei Story, a coming-of-age story about a college freshman studying abroad in Taipei. She’s navigating loss, grief, and family histories, all while struggling with her Chinese. Stylistically, the book is influenced by Patricia Lockwood, Sally Rooney, and Elif Batuman. III) Frankfurt Book Fair 2025  Over five days, the Frankfurt Book Fair drew a massive crowd, over 200,000 people showed up. Germany’s culture minister, Wolfram Weimer, kicked things off with a fiery speech warning that AI could tear literature apart, accusing tech companies of “digital colonisation” and cultural theft. His comments stirred controversy, former U.S. ambassador Richard Grenell even called it “a massive attack” on America’s digital industry on X. At the same time, Rickard Lundberg, CEO of the Swedish AI company Aniara, said publishers are getting more comfortable with AI. Instead of worrying about whether it should  be used, they’re now looking at how well it actually works. Next year, the fair is shaking things up: publishers and exhibitors will move to the upper floors, leaving ground floors for public events, stages, and open spaces. According to fair organiser Christian Ebert, this will make life easier for publishers, all the upper floors are connected, and they can even avoid the public entirely if they want. That said, organiSers still seem a bit unsure about the changes, which has frustrated some publishers. One compared it to the “BEA-ification of Frankfurt,” hinting it’s becoming more commercial and less industry-focused, and some are even reconsidering attending next year. Ebert insists professionals are still central to the fair, after all, two-thirds of its revenue comes from international publishers and agents. Literary agent Markus Hoffmann summed up the mood perfectly: “Despite what is happening in the world, populist politics, wars, everything else, we’re all in this together. We all love books, we all love publishing. And we’re all still here.” And of course, the great topic was Charlie Redmayne’s sudden departure as head of HarperCollins UK just a week earlier. IV) Trump Reloaded: The Lawsuit Saga Continues Trump has been a recurring figure in this blog, and I can only apologise for how much you have to read about him. Honestly, who knew that a man who can barely string a coherent sentence together would be causing such a ruckus on a book-inspired blog? The jokes really do write themselves. Anyway, if you’ve been following my work, you’ll know that Trump tried to file a lawsuit in Florida, accusing The New York Times and four of its reporters of disparagement. Penguin Random House also found itself targeted. A federal judge later threw out Trump’s $15 billion lawsuit, dismissing the massive 85-page filing as “florid and enervating.” Unsurprisingly, Trump has now refiled the lawsuit, first brought on September 16. The new complaint is half the length of the original, and one of the NYT reporters, Michael Schmidt, has been dropped from the suit. Both the Times and PRH have repeated their earlier comments: they say the lawsuit is without merit. We’ll see if this changes anything, fingers crossed for The New York Times and PRH. V) Harper Edge: HarperCollins Launches a New Personal Growth Imprint Harper Group is branching out! They’ve just announced Harper Edge, a brand-new nonfiction imprint focused on personal growth and self-development. The first book, What to Make of a Life  by Jim Collins, is set to launch next spring. Harper Edge plans to release around 10 titles a year, all designed to help readers unlock their potential, sharpen their skills, and take charge of their futures, according to the publisher.