Inside Publishing

Hosted by The Society of Young Publishers

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

The Society of Young Publishers are pleased to present Inside Publishing, the podcast series interviewing industry experts on everything publishing.

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60 recent

August 31, 202634 min

From SYP North to Bloomsbury: Demystifying production with Emma Leask

In this episode, Tom speaks with Emma Leask , Production Editor at Bloomsbury Academic and former Chair of SYP North . Emma shares her route into publishing after moving away from a law degree to a master’s in publishing , stepping up from production assistant to production editor at Bloomsbury Academic , working across lists including theology, music and sound studies, politics, international development, and anthropology . She demystifies production as a project-management role at the heart of the publishing process, coordinating copy-editing and typesetting to cover design and print, and explains how her work in academic production differs from trade in pace and schedules. Emma also highlights key skills for production roles, from organisation, time management, problem-solving, and clear communication. She offers advice on how experience from other departments or transferable skills from outside publishing can still be relevant to production. Finally, she reflects on her time as an SYP North mentor , why Northern voices and production roles need more visibility, and how the future of academic books is changing. Emma Leask Production Editor, Bloomsbury Academic Former Chair & current Mentor, SYP North Mentioned in this Episode Bloomsbury Academic bloomsbury.com/uk/discover/bloomsbury-academic/ 33 1/3 Series https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/series/33-13/ SYP North Mentorship Scheme thesyp.org.uk/mentorships/ Host Credits & SYP Links Hosted by Tom Barker (Co-Chair, SYP North) Edited by the Inside Publishing podcast team Instagram: @SYP_UK Twitter/X: @SYP_UK Website: https://thesyp.org.uk If you have any questions about this episode or would like to take part in the show, drop us a line at podcast.syp@gmail.com .

August 17, 202655 min

Academic Publishing and Marketing with Philip Powell-Mills

In this episode, Sophie speaks to Phillip Powell-Mills, a marketing manager at The International Bunch, a marketing consultancy and agency for academic publishing. Philip discusses his route into the industry, the complexities and misconceptions of his role and his work as a mentor with ALPSP (Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers). Mentioned in this episode: The International Bunch - https://www.internationalbunch.com/ ALPSP - www.alpsp.org Follow on: Facebook , LinkedIn , X Find out more about ALPSP’s student and early career memberships here . Hosted and edited by Sophie Ward (SYP London Podcast Officer) Instagram: @SYP_London 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

July 20, 202650 min

Book Festivals and Literary Communities with Rebecca Wilkie

In this episode, Megan speaks with Rebecca Wilkie, Senior Programme Manager (Festivals & Events) at New Writing North and Director of Durham Book Festival. Rebecca shares her journey from growing up in Liverpool to studying and working in London, moving from literary agency The Agency (London) Ltd and BookTrust into the subsidised arts, and eventually leading literary events across the North East. She reflects on class and regional inequality, highlighting the importance of creating opportunities for writers and readers across the region. They go on to explore the realities of producing a major literary festival: the challenges of persuading authors to travel beyond London and Manchester, balancing established names with emerging voices, and New Writing North’s commitment to creating accessible events through live-streaming and captioning. Rebecca also shares her thoughts on the changing literary landscape, the skills needed to build a career in festival programming and what literary festivals can offer in an age of algorithms. Rebecca Wilkie New Writing North: https://newwritingnorth.com/team/rebecca-wilkie/ Links & resources New Writing North: https://newwritingnorth.com Durham Book Festival: https://newwritingnorth.com/festivals/durham-book-festival/ Louise Powell's Underdogs: https://www.culturednortheast.co.uk/p/louises-debut-novel-races-out-of New centre for writing and publishing: https://newwritingnorth.com/capital-works/ Northern Writers’ Awards: https://newwritingnorth.com/northern-writers-awards/ BookTrust: https://www.booktrust.org.uk/ The Agency: https://theagency.co.uk/ Women’s Prize for Fiction: https://www.womensprizeforfiction.co.uk/ Host Credits & SYP Links: Hosted and edited by Megan Dawson (SYP North Podcast Officer) Instagram: @SYP_UK 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 . Episode Transcript: https://thesyp.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Book-Festivals-and-Literary-Communities-with-Rebecca-Wilkie.pdf

June 22, 202624 min

Launching New Cross Press with Shaun McMullen

In this episode, Gemma talks to Shaun McMullen about New Cross Press, his brand new press launched earlier this month. With a background in law, Shaun discusses how his career has influenced his approach to starting his own business. He talks through the process of publishing Horsefly, the first book on their list. Shaun also gives an insight into the behind the scenes of forming your own press, how he connected with the small press community, sharing advice along the way. New Cross Press links: Instagram: @new.cross.press Website: https://newcrosspress.com Host Credits & SYP Links: Hosted and edited by Gemma Jackson (SYP UK Lead) Instagram: @SYP_UK 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

May 11, 202658 min

Access and Opportunities in Publishing with Will Mackie

In this episode, Megan speaks with Will Mackie, Senior Programme Manager at New Writing North and co-leader of the MA in Publishing at Northumbria University. Will shares his journey from editorial roles into talent development and how he now supports emerging writers, particularly in the North of England. We explore structural imbalances in UK publishing and discuss how education, prizes and partnerships can help open up the industry. The episode also highlights the unique partnership between Hachette UK, New Writing North and Northumbria University, offering students real industry experience through placements and opportunities like attending London Book Fair. Mentioned in this episode David Miller Internship Programme: https://newwritingnorth.com/event/the-drf-david-miller-internship-programme-2026/ New Writing North: https://newwritingnorth.com/ Northumbria University – MA Publishing: https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/courses/ma-publishing-dtfpui6/ Hachette UK: https://www.hachette.co.uk/ Authors Mentioned: James Harris – A children’s writer from Middlesbrough whose career developed after winning a Hachette children’s novel award. Louise Powell – Upcoming debut novelist publishing with John Murray Press (Hachette UK). Her novel, set in Middlesbrough, explores illegal dog racing in the North East. Shaun Wilson – Author of a recently published autofiction work set in Wigtown, Cumbria (published 23 April 2026). Host Credits & SYP Links: Hosted and edited by Megan Dawson (SYP North Podcast Officer) Instagram: @SYP_UK 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

April 27, 202631 min

Careers in Translation: An Interview with Julia Sanches

In this episode, Gemma speaks with literary translator, Julia Sanches. She translates from Spanish, Portuguese and Catalan, and has been shortlisted for the International Booker Prize. As well as discussing her career journey, we talk about her views on literary prize culture, how she approaches a project and why translation deserves more recognition in the UK and the US. Books mentioned: Macunaíma by Mário de Andrade, translated by Katrina Dodson Cane by Jean Toomer The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing The Dream Hotel by Leila Lalami Distant Fathers by Marina Jarre, translated by Ann Goldstein Julia’s website https://juliasanches.com SYP website https://thesyp.org.uk Instagram @syp_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

April 13, 202644 min

Interview with First Chapter Award winner, Muminah Koleoso

In this episode, Gemma is joined by Muminah Koleoso, a First Chapter Award 2025 winner. She is a poet, writer and the founder of the Sister Station podcast. They discuss her career journey, the growing online poetry community and the challenges of a London-centric publishing industry. Muminah also shares insight into her creative process, and how her love of reading and storytelling motivates her daily. Muminah’s Instagram @minahsmusings SYP Website https://thesyp.org.uk Instagram @syp_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

March 30, 202651 min

The Scots Revival with Len Pennie

In this episode, Nuala speaks to Scots poet and language activist Len Pennie to discuss the landscape surrounding learning or re-learning our native, minority languages across the UK. In the second episode of a three-part series, Len continues the conversation begun by my conversation with Pàdriag. We discussed preconceived notions surrounding Scots, Scots as a language for love and not just anger, and whether we should always be speaking our minority languages even when bilingual? Len proposed paying the Grandmas for their role in cross-generational language learning, and how, for her, the importance of Scots Word of the Day is to provide a nice moment of Scots in people's everyday. Ultimately, our conversation was about addressing some of the feelings of shame, stigmatisation, and inadequacy that come with learning languages we are expected to know. Len Pennie @misspunnypennie on instagram Books mentioned: Poyums (2024) and Poyums Annaw (2025) Hosted and edited by Nuala Tranter (SYP Scotland Podcast Officer) Instagram @sypscotland Website: https://thesyp.org.uk If you have any questions about this episode or wish to partake in the conversation, drop us a line at podcast.syp@gmail.com

December 8, 202525 min

All Things Publicity with Sofia Saghir, Campaigns Manager at Riot Communications

In this episode, Gemma interviews Sofia Saghir - Campaigns Manager at Riot Communications, a PR agency specialising in arts, culture and entertainment. Sofia discusses the difference between delivering campaigns while working in-house vs at an agency. Also she talks about the range of coverage needed for a successful PR campaign and how the growing importance of BookTok is changing the media landscape. She shares how her career began on her book blog, along with some invaluable advice for aspiring PR and publishing professionals. Sofia's links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofia-saghir-5505b5230/ Riot Communications: https://www.riotcommunications.com/ Episode Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/HwOya2CCO8GJoznkxbKUSOQrsaY?utm_source=copy_url Hosted and edited by Gemma Jackson (SYP London Podcast Officer) Instagram @syp_london X @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

October 27, 202543 min

A Deep Dive into the Columbia Publishing Course with Meaghan Cahill

In this episode, Tamara speaks to Meaghan Cahill –– Production Assistant at Bloomsbury, and alumnus of the Columbia Publishing Course (CPC) –– about her experience of CPC. Meaghan talks candidly about the course, highlighting its benefits, the application process, the day to day activities it involved, and how it has helped launch her career into publishing. Mentioned in this episode Columbia Publishing Course: https://journalism.columbia.edu/cpc-uk Episode transcript https://turboscribe.ai/transcript/7692148163608044315/pod-3-edited Hosted and edited by Tamara Letts (SYP South West Podcast Officer) Twitter/X: @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