SoA Sounds

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Apr 2026

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SoA Sounds is the podcast channel of the Society of Authors, the UK trade union for all types of writers, illustrators and literary translators. www.societyofauthors.org

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49 recent

April 23, 2026Episode 1023 min

Don't Steal this Book: A plea from authors

Blank pages and empty studios – is that what we want? Join SOA Advisory Clinic co-hosts Johanna Clarke and Theo Jones as they catch up on the Don't Steal this Book campaign launched at the London Book Fair 2026 with the support of the Society of Authors and the Publishers Association. Featuring campaign organiser, Ed Newton-Rex. This podcast is brought to you thanks to the kind sponsorship of the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society. Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year's membership. ALCS Don't Steal This Book Thousand of authors publish empty book to protest theft by AI companies - The Society of Authors Ed Newton-Rex Thousands of authors publish 'empty' book in protest over AI using their work | AI (artificial intelligence) | The Guardian Is This What We Want? (campaign website) Is This What We Want? - Album by 1,000 UK Artists | Spotify Paul McCartney | News | Paul joins music industry protest against AI with silent song release Paul McCartney joins music industry protest against AI with silent track | Paul McCartney | The Guardian Statement on AI training — Ed Newton-Rex A "hard-won moment" as the government scraps copyright exception for AI training - The Society of Authors Join the SoA - The Society of Authors

December 10, 2025Episode 933 min

BONUS SPECIAL – A crie de coeur for human translators

As we continue to call for the responsible use and development of generative AI, we invite you to join us in solidarity with human translators and celebrate what makes human-authored translation so unique and irreplaceable by technology. We hear more about the campaign and bring you a selection of exclusive extracts from our recent translation duel event with Danie; Hahn chairing a battle between Frank Wynne and Ros Schwartz as they debate their own translations of the same text. This podcast is brought to you thanks to the kind sponsorship of the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society." Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year's membership. ALCS Online dictionary French-English - Larousse SoA survey reveals a third of translators and quarter of illustrators losing work to AI - The Society of Authors Stand in solidarity with human translators - The Society of Authors Audible Expands Catalog with AI Narration and Translation for Publishers Kindle Translate: AI-powered service for multilingual eBooks Taylor & Francis to make more translated books available more quickly using advanced AI - Taylor & Francis Newsroom Spotify's AI Voice Translation Pilot Means Your Favorite Podcasters Might Be Heard in Your Native Language — Spotify Spotify Opens Up Support for ElevenLabs Audiobook Content — Spotify Ian Giles - The Society of Authors Alger, lavoir galant | Éditions Albin Michel Daniel Hahn - About Ros Schwartz | Literary translator Frank Wynne – Translator, Writer, Mammal, Fool Polly Barton Join the SoA - The Society of Authors

December 3, 2025Episode 81 hr 1 min

BONUS SPECIAL – Making Tax Digital and making tax make sense with HW Fisher

BONUS SPECIAL – Making Tax Digital and making tax make sense with HW Fisher In this bonus special episode, the SOA Advisory Clinic podcast returns to the offices of specialist accountant HW Fisher to discuss MTD, the biggest change to the freelance tax regime since the introduction of self-assessment, coming in the Spring. Podcast host and SOA Contracts Advisor, Theo Jones, hears from Principal at HW Fisher, Andy Levett, with what it is you need to know and how to prepare. And from apportioning expenses, setting up limited companies, double tax and record keeping, Andy answers those perennial questions from writers managing their tax affairs. This podcast is brought to you thanks to the kind sponsorship of the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society." Show notes: Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year's membership. HW Fisher - UK Chartered Accountants - London Andy Levett - Senior Manager - HW Fisher Making Tax Digital for Income Tax - HMRC guide Nigel Kennedy | Warner Classics Self Assessment - GOV.UK Amish | Definition, History, Beliefs, Education, Children, Lifestyle, & Facts | Britannica Choose the right software for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax - GOV.UK Accounting software for every small business - FreeAgent Quickbooks Alternative | Xero UK Smart, Simple Accounting & Bookkeeping Software | QuickBooks UK Sign up for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax - GOV.UK Rent a room in your home: The Rent a Room Scheme - GOV.UK Tax on foreign income: If you're taxed twice - GOV.UK Financial Conduct Authority | FCA HW Fisher's Authors and Journalists Tax Guide Join the SoA - The Society of Authors

June 30, 2025Episode 71 hr 30 min

Funding matters: Funding opportunities in England, Scotland and Wales

Funding is everything to creatives. If writers are unable to access and maintain sustainable careers, taking in a wide range of creative disciplines, skills and intellect, the impacts for them and for society more widely would be far-reaching and profound. And so then, what support is out there and how can writers access those funds? How do bodies with funding authority allocate their monies? And what of the wider network of funding initiatives and opportunities for writers? Join SoA Advisory Clinic podcast host Theo Jones as we bring you another chance to catch up on this timely event thanks to the #SoAathome festival team. Featuring Pete Stones and Patrick Cash from the Arts Council England, Alan Bett from Creative Scotland and Leusa Llewelyn from Literature Wales. Show notes: Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year's membership. ALCS Funding Week | Industry Insider - Funding opportunities in England, Scotland and Wales - The Society of Authors Anna Ganley - The Society of Authors Alan Bett | Creative Scotland Our Staff - Literature Wales Creators' Rights Alliance International Authors Forum – A forum for Authors' Organisations The London Book Fair | Defining the Future of Creative Content The Society of Authors – The UK trade union for more than 12,500 writers, illustrators and literary translators. The Society of Authors Bookshop UK Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre - Literature Wales Arts Council England Homepage Contact us | Arts Council England Spread the Word – Helping London's writers make their mark on the page, the screen and in the world. the87press Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants | Arts Council England Diversity | Arts Council England Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP) | Arts Council England Home | Creative Scotland Bloody Scotland | International Crime Writing Festival Festival Info - Borders Book Festival Gutter New Writing Scotland - Association for Scottish Literature Northwords Now Open Funding | Creative Scotland Open Fund for Individuals | Creative Scotland Dundee and Angus Scots Scriever announced | Creative Scotland Scottish Poetry Library - The world's leading resource for Scottish poetry Moniack Mhor - Scotland's Creative Writing Centre Life of a Book: Author Development Programme - Moniack Mhor Scottish Book Trust - Reading, Writing & Literacy Charity - Scottish Book Trust Gaelic Books Council - Supporting Scottish Gaelic writers and publishers Literature Wales | Developing Literature in Wales Arts Council of Wales | Arts Council of Wales Children's Laureate Wales - Literature Wales Alex Wharton, Children's Laureate Wales 2023-2025 - Literature Wales Writers of Wales Directory - Literature Wales Information and Background - Literature Wales Hay Festival – After Hours Birmingham, 24 July 2025 Inspiring Communities Fund - Literature Wales Individuals | Arts Council of Wales Ineligible Application PROJECT GRANTS: Under £15,000 Rates and fees - The Society of Authors Welcome to WGGB: The Writers' Union - The Writers' Guild of Great Britain National Union of Journalists (NUJ): Home DYCP case studies | Arts Council England Contact Us | Creative Scotland Join the SoA - The Society of Authors Events The Society of Authors Donate The Society of Authors – The UK trade union for more than 12,500 writers, illustrators and literary translators.

May 12, 2025Episode 61 hr 18 min

Artificially Intelligent: the latest on collective licensing and parliamentary debate

On the 25th of February 2025 the industry came together in an unprecedented show of support to recognise the importance of human-centred creativity as developments in the Artificial Intelligence space continued apace. As government considers their next steps, we reflect on that work and bring you all the latest as the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society (ALCS) launch their limited licensing initiatives together with the CLA (the Copyright Licensing Agency) and the Authors' Guild in the US speak to us about their Human-authored Certification project. We also bring you up to speed on a recent parliamentary debate on the impact of AI on the creative industries with author and Minister at DCMS Sir Chris Bryant attending for the government. Featuring Richard Combes from ALCS, Umair Kazi from the Authors' Guild and a host of parliamentarians. This podcast is brought to you thanks to the kind sponsorship of the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society. Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year's membership. ALCS Ambre Morvan - The Society of Authors The SoA's message to Meta: don't steal our books - The Society of Authors Petition · Protect authors' livelihoods from the unlicensed use of their work in AI training - United Kingdom · Change.org ALCS | ALCS submission to Government's AI and copyright consultation ALCS | Changes to Copyright Licensing Agency licences Human Authored Certification - The Authors Guild Intellectual Property: Artificial Intelligence - Hansard - UK Parliament Government consultation on AI and copyright closes with unprecedented day of action by creative sector - The Society of Authors SoA report into authors' views on the AI and Copyright consultation - The Society of Authors Peter Kyle on X: "Thank you to everyone who responded to our consultation on Ai and copyright. As we work through the 11,000 responses I promise no changes will be considered unless we can be sure the solution works for creators- that is a red line and we will honour it. https://t.co/s6Y1OUpv2i" / X Make It Fair - News Media Association Pay the Creator — creators' rights alliance Audio Drama - The Society of Authors A-Brave-New-World-_ALCS_AI_Report.pdf Hargreaves review of intellectual property and growth: government response - GOV.UK Don't gift our work to AI billionaires: Mark Haddon, Michael Rosen and other creatives urge government | Artificial intelligence (AI) | The Guardian Public Lending Right (PLR): Eligibility & Registration - The British Library Collective licence to ensure UK authors get paid for works used to train AI | Books | The Guardian The Unbelievable Scale of AI's Pirated-Books Problem - The Atlantic Federal Law Enforcement Arrests and Indicts Z-Library Operators with AG's Assistance - The Authors Guild Fair Use Chapter 1 - Circular 92 | U.S. Copyright Office Supreme Court sides against Andy Warhol Foundation in copyright case : NPR FAQs on the Human Authored Certification - The Authors Guild Parliamentlive.tv - Westminster Hall James Frith MP for Bury North Carolyn Harris Home | Wendy Chamberlain MP for North East Fife Caroline Dinenage MP | Gosport Oh, I'm sorry, tech bros – did DeepSeek copy your work? I can hardly imagine your distress | Marina Hyde | The Guardian Contact information for Alison Hume - MPs and Lords - UK Parliament John McDonnell MP Lizzi Collinge MP Chris Bryant MP for Rhondda and Ogmore - Rhondda and Ogmore's Voice

April 28, 2025Episode 536 min

Streaming now… an investigation into subscription models for online audiobooks

The growth in audiobooks continues apace and as publishers and authors work to establish new routes to market, that growth is clearly a cause for celebration but as we celebrate its meteoric rise, we question its equity. With the rise of streaming on demand on subscription, we break down the definitions, interrogate the payment models and survey the landscape of who is offering what. This podcast is brought to you thanks to the kind sponsorship of the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society. Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year's membership. https://www.alcs.co.uk/ https://societyofauthors.org/soa-profiles/ambre-morvan/ https://societyofauthors.org/2025/02/25/uk-creative-industries-launch-copyright-fightback-against-global-tech-firms-ai-models/ https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english-french/stream#:~:text=to%20stream,en%20streaming%20(film%2C%20TV) https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2003/10/16Audible-and-Apple-Announce-Availability-of-Exclusive-Content-Through-Apple-iTunes/ https://societyofauthors.org/2023/10/10/soa-demands-transparency-and-action-on-publishers-streaming-deals-with-spotify/ https://www.audible.co.uk/ep/memberbenefits https://www.audible.co.uk/ep/audible-plus-member-benefit https://www.spotify.com/uk/premium/ https://www.findawayvoices.com/earn https://www.kobo.com/us/en/plus/plans?srsltid=AfmBOord248ssMNqpXRCAzytwzuG9mHwiBul6QlhKECzGo_foZamm6yw https://www.audiobooks.co.uk/pricing?srsltid=AfmBOoraB1aYyuxLIjOIrXuvPGggrgQc4GkPEa3cPWNKp9VYQW62CbQK https://www.overdrive.com/ https://www.listening-books.org.uk/ https://itunespartner.apple.com/books/partners https://societyofauthors.org/2023/11/02/spotify-streaming-deal-send-a-letter-to-your-publisher/ https://societyofauthors.org/where-we-stand/fair-remuneration/#:~:text=The%20success%20of%20Britain's%20creative,in%20every%2011%20working%20people. https://www.creatorsrightsalliance.org/paythecreator

April 14, 2025Episode 427 min

Our words, not yours: the Meta protest

On the 3rd April 2025, the Society of Authors organised a day of action in protest of Meta's alleged use of pirated works online to train their Llama AI without permission or payment. In this special podcast we take you back in support of that protest and thank all writers, readers and others for your continued and ongoing support as we continue to navigate the stormy weather wrought by the unregulated field of Artificial Intelligence, and the crucial role played by creators and their works in developments that threaten their future livelihoods and careers. Featuring contributions from Abie Longstaff, AJ West, Anna Ganley, Candy Gourlay, Piers Torday and Kate Mosse. This podcast is brought to you thanks to the kind sponsorship of the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society. ALCS Discover A.J. West - Official home to author, A.J. West's novels, short stories and more UK authors stage protest at Meta HQ against Zuckerberg's #bookthieves - The Society of Authors The Unbelievable Scale of AI's Pirated-Books Problem - The Atlantic Petition · Protect authors' livelihoods from the unlicensed use of their work in AI training - United Kingdom · Change.org The SoA's message to Meta: don't steal our books - The Society of Authors abielongstaff.com Why I – and other bestselling authors – are protesting outside Meta today | The Independent Candy Gourlay Home - Piers Torday Send a Letter to AI Companies Telling Them They Do Not Have the Right to Use Your Work Email Your MP — Creative Rights In AI Coalition Statement on AI training Join the SoA - The Society of Authors Make It Fair - News Media Association

March 31, 2025Episode 345 min

What Does a Publisher Actually Do? from London Book Fair

What can you expect from a traditional publisher and where do they add value? How can writers spot worthwhile publishing deals and run for the hills from a dodgy one? And what of pets for online marketing? Step into the SoA Advisory Clinic to learn about all this and more as we bring you another chance to catch up on an event originally produced as part of the London Book Fair's Writers' Summit 2025. Featuring the Deputy Chief Executive of the SoA, Sarah Burton, writers Penny Batchelor, Mark Edwards, and SoA Fellow and writer, Philip Womack. This podcast is brought to you thanks to the the kind sponsorship of the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society. Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year's membership. www.alcs.co.uk Sarah Burton – The Society of Authors Philip Womack - Royal Literary Fund Penny Batchelor - Author Bookshop UK Mark Edwards - Mark Edwards Embla Books - Bonnier Books The ADCI Literary Prize – The Society of Authors Wildlord by Philip Womack (9781912417971/Paperback) | LoveReading4Kids Ghostlord by Philip Womack (9781915071262/Paperback) | LoveReading4Kids Fellows – The Society of Authors Fair remuneration – The Society of Authors A profession struggling to sustain itself – The Society of Authors Home - Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency Self Publishing | Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing LJ Ross - The Multi-Million Bestselling Author Beautiful Books You Won't Forget | Salt Publishing Bookouture Storm Publishing - adult fiction publishing Boldwood - Publishing Reimagined Substack - A new economic engine for culture A guide to the data protection principles | ICO End bad practice in 'hybrid' / paid-for publishing – sign the open letter – The Society of Authors Get in touch – The Society of Authors The advisory team on: scams – The Society of Authors Public Lending Right (PLR): Eligibility & Registration - The British Library Two New Daggers Announced - The Crime Writers' Association

March 17, 2025Episode 21 hr 11 min

The SoA Advisory Clinic: Attention, class!

Children are the future and children's literacy in schools is therefore one of our greatest societal concerns. And so, as celebrations draw to a close on another World Book Day and co-host of the podcast Johanna Clarke steps away from the studio to welcome a child of her own, we speak to writers Ian Billings and Davina Hamilton on the role of children's writers in schools. We also hear from Deborah Maclaren all about her Love Reading for Kids initiative as she teaches us what parents, carers, teachers and librarians can do to support children's writing in schools and how writers can become involved. This podcast is brought to you thanks to the the kind sponsorship of the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society. Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year's membership. https://www.alcs.co.uk/ https://ianbillings.com/ https://www.davinahamilton.com/ https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/ https://literacytrust.org.uk/ https://societyofauthors.org/members-area/discounts-offers/tax-insurance/ https://societyofauthors.org/download/dbs-guide-for-members/ https://societyofauthors.org/2024/07/10/preparing-for-author-school-visits/

March 3, 202550 min

The SoA Advisory Clinic: Roll Up & Read All About It: the business of journalism for writers

Roll up and read all about it! The Society of Authors was founded in 1884 and almost immediately the thoroughly Victorian writer Sir Walter Besant became the conductor of its in-house journal The Author. But what would Walter Bessant think of the challenges facing the SoA today? What of The Author and the thoughts of its current editor, James McConnachie? How does journal commissioning work in practice and how can authors get involved? Join Johanna Clarke and Theo Jones as they interrogate these burning questions and more in this timely investigation from the Society of Authors Advisory Clinic team. Featuring contributions from writer and broadcaster Nicholas Rankin and writer and editor of The Author, James McConnachie. This podcast is brought to you thanks to the kind sponsorship of the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society. Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year's membership. https://www.alcs.co.uk/ https://www.alcs.co.uk/ai-licences/ https://societyofauthors.org/resources/ https://societyofauthors.org/product/the-author/ https://www.rlf.org.uk/writer/james-mcconnachie/ https://www.faber.co.uk/author/nicholas-rankin/ https://www.britannica.com/biography/Walter-Besant https://www.sgdl.org/ https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/alfred-tennyson https://www.barbican.org.uk/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grub_Street https://www.theguardian.com/info/guardian-news-media-freelance-charter