Inside Publishing

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May 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

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 episodeDavid 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_UKTwitter: @SYP_UKWebsite: https://thesyp.org.ukIf 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 DodsonCane by Jean ToomerThe Golden Notebook by Doris LessingThe Dream Hotel by Leila Lalami Distant Fathers by Marina Jarre, translated by Ann GoldsteinJulia’s website https://juliasanches.comSYP website https://thesyp.org.ukInstagram @syp_ukIf 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 @minahsmusingsSYP Website https://thesyp.org.ukInstagram @syp_ukIf 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 @sypscotlandWebsite: 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_urlHosted and edited by Gemma Jackson (SYP London Podcast Officer)Instagram @syp_londonX @SYP_UKWebsite https://thesyp.org.ukIf 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 episodeColumbia Publishing Course: https://journalism.columbia.edu/cpc-uk Episode transcript https://turboscribe.ai/transcript/7692148163608044315/pod-3-editedHosted and edited by Tamara Letts (SYP South West Podcast Officer)Twitter/X: @SYP_UKWebsite: https://thesyp.org.ukIf you have any questions about this episode or wish to partake in the show, drop us a line at podcast.syp@gmail.com

October 13, 202536 min

Interview with Lauri Kubuitsile, author of The Scattering

In this episode of Inside Publishing, Gemma interviews Lauri Kubuitsile, author of The Scattering. We talk about her experiences as an author who has worked with many publishers, her views on genres as a marketing tool and why she doesn’t have a literary agent. Her historical novel, The Scattering explores the lives of two women and their experiences of two historical atrocities in Southern Africa at the beginning of the twentieth century: the Herero and Nama genocide, and the Anglo-Boer war. Now published in the UK by DAS Editions, Lauri shares why she was compelled to write this story and how she conducted her research when the historical record is so fragmentary. Lauri's book: The Scattering https://www.daseditions.com/books/the-scatteringDAS EditionsWebsite: www.daseditions.comInstagram: @daseditionsBooks mentionedThe Memory of Love by Aminatta FornaHalf of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi AdicheThere are Rivers in the Sky by Elif ShafakEpisode transcript: https://otter.ai/u/6npnuhI7u8cUsnr7mqVLc7y9oSk?utm_source=copy_urlInstagram: @syp_londonWebsite: 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 6, 202542 min

The Gaelic Revival with Scottish Makar, Pàdraig MacAoidh

In this episode, Nuala speaks to Pàdraig MacAoidh - Scotland's Makar, academic, and broadcaster - to discuss the growing movement behind the revival of the Gaelic language. As part of a three-part series, Pàdraig opens the conversation by discussing his relationship to Gaelic, the creative process of adapting such an old language to his contemporary environment, and the opportunities for Gaelic speakers in the industry today. We also uncovered some of the challenges facing its resurgence, including the disconnect between the highlands, islands and cities, and a concern that isolated regions may be left behind in this process of national revival. Pàdraig remains hopeful and excited by the prospects of the newly passed Scottish Languages Bill and the increasing opportunities available to young Gaelic speakers across many industries in Scotland. Pàdraig MacAoidhX: @PàdraigMacaoidhWebsite: https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poetry/scotlands-makar/ Mentioned in this episode:Len Pennie and her Scots word of the day: @misspunnypennie on instagramScottish Language Bill: https://www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/bills/s6/scottish-languages-bill Hosted and edited by Nuala Tranter (SYP Scotland Podcast Officer)Instagram: @sypscotlandWebsite: 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

September 29, 202544 min

Interview with Lottie May: All Things Bookselling

In this episode, Tamara speaks to Lottie May - Project Manager and Bookseller at Mr B's Emporium in Bath - about her experiences in bookselling. Lottie discusses her career path from a book lover (beginning in historical fiction), to a BA in History, to a now bookseller, project manager, and sometimes publisher at Mr B's. We also discuss the typical work day at Mr B's, from in house reading spas (essentially, literary therapy), to curating subscriptions for customers, to celebrity sightings and author events. Mentioned in this episodeMr B's Emporium: https://mrbsemporium.com/ Episode Transcripthttps://turboscribe.ai/transcript/share/7241788200865439987/7vqboIDEYLMub-BpPPdcodmT6-TKkV9Zdl3rl_I7jz4/interview-with-lottie-may-all-things-booksellingHosted and edited by Tamara Letts (SYP South West Podcast Officer)Instagram: @syp_southwest 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

September 15, 202532 min

Independent Voices in Publishing

In this episode of Inside Publishing, Sara Young and Tom Barker interview Isabella Barber from Comma Press and James Keane from Northodox Press about the Northern Fiction Alliance (NFA). Founded in 2016, the NFA now includes nearly 30 independent publishers promoting Northern literature and providing development opportunities. Isabella highlights Comma's focus on insider perspectives and international voices, while James emphasizes the importance of authenticity and community in Northodox's publications. Both discuss the impact of the NFA on Northern publishing and the significance of place in their work. Upcoming releases include Comma's "Book of Bradford" and Northodox's "Ravenglass" and "Green Laughing."Northern Fiction AllianceInstagram: @northernfictionalliance Comma Press Website: https://commapress.co.uk/ X: @commapress Instagram: @commapressNorthodox Press Website: https://www.northodox.co.ukX: @northodoxpress Instagram: @northodoxpressoffcialMentioned in this episodeWoWfest: https://writingonthewall.org.uk/wowfest/ Hosted and edited by Sara Young (SYP UK North PodcastOfficer)Twitter: @SYP_UKWebsite: https://thesyp.org.ukIf you have any questions about this episode or wish to partake inthe show, drop us a line at podcast.syp@gmail.com