BLOG: Working with Words: Exploring Careers in Publishing, Writing & Storytelling

Last night, we had the pleasure of heading to Queen Mary, University of London for an evening dedicated to exploring careers in publishing. The event brought together a brilliant panel of industry professionals, each offering a unique insight into the world of books and the many ways stories come to life.

We heard from John Baker, Literary Agent at Bell Lomax Moreton, who spoke about the process of finding and nurturing new writing talent. He offered a fascinating glimpse into the agent’s role as a champion for authors, pitching their work to publishers, negotiating deals, and guiding careers over the long term.

Cal Kenny, Senior Commissioning Editor at Sphere (part of Little, Brown), shared what it’s like to be the person acquiring new books for publication. From spotting promising ideas to shaping manuscripts with authors, their role is both creative and strategic, balancing instinct, market trends and personal taste.

Hope Ndaba, Senior Publicity Manager at Bonnier Books UK, gave us an insightful look into how books are brought to the public's attention. She spoke about crafting campaigns, working with the media, including magazines, festivals and radio, and collaborating closely with authors, agents and editors alike to ensure their stories find the audience they deserve.

We also welcomed some excellent questions from the audience, sparking in-depth conversation about how to get started in the industry, the many different routes into publishing - and the importance of persistence and resilience!

After the panel, we enjoyed wine and nibbles while continuing the conversation informally, giving attendees a chance to connect with the speakers and each other.

A special thanks to Queen Mary for partnering with us on this event, to Dr. Rachael Allen, lecturer, editor and poet, for chairing the panel, and to the wonderful students, staff, and friends who joined us and asked such thoughtful questions, and of course to our fantastic speakers for sharing their insights and expertise so generously.