Is UK Publishing Elitist?

Why is publishing so hard to get a job in? Plus new books, podcasts and events!

A very happy Friday Scribblers,

Post laser-eye surgery, I’m having to slow down. Four or five hour work days are my absolute max - and suddenly I have no choice but to close my eyes and put on an audiobook or a podcast! So I’m indulging in the slow and social work days: more coffee shop co-working, more cooking and more catch ups with friends.

Speaking of which, you should come natter with me at the following events…

This Saturday at 5.30pm Voce Books, Birmingham. Free sign ups here

Dr Charley Barnes and I launch our new thriller and crime novels with Q&A about these twisty, turny genres…

Then next Friday we will see you at The Grove Bookshop Ilkley, with sci-fi author Elliot J Harper joining me to talk life on another planet! Plus publishing Q&A. Book here.

We’ve had some sparkling reviews in this week, let’s take a look at our books in the media…

"A psychological thriller which tests the faith of matrimony and how far you would go to cover up a secret. Faith healer Amber meets Chad on a healing retreat and they marry soon after. Amber and her two children Gilly and Ivan move into Chad’s house and have to start over. It’s in this new town and living with a new father figure which puts a strain on their family bond. Under the influence of the Mormon church, Chad is desperate to discipline fifteen year old Gilly after she sends inappropriate photos to a boy...For those who love to read psychological thrillers through the lens of religion and what one would do for love, then this is the book for you.” - The Debut Digest reviews The Dark Within Them by Isabelle Kenyon

Glen J Brown took a sneak peek at SJ Bradley’s debut short story collection, ‘Maps of Imaginary Towns’ out in September, and found a quiet power in its pages…stories which emerged from the period of austerity under Johnston and Cameron.

Coming up next month, so get your pre-orders in now, is ‘And I Will Make of You a Vowel Sound’, a much-anticipated second poetry chapbook from Morag Anderson! This poetry book explored the trials and tribulations of inhabiting the female body, including raw scrutiny of class, motherhood and poverty.

Now today I thought we would look at the elusive question: how does one get a job in publishing? And why, oh why is it so hard?

The publishing world has long been criticised for its lack of diversity and inclusivity, with many feeling it caters primarily to the social elite. Is the UK publishing industry inaccessible for those from working-class backgrounds?

(Two events if you do want to get into publishing and/or want to network with book lovers. The Northern Publishers’ Fair on Sat 27 April at Manchester Central Library and join myself and freelance editor Jasmine Dove for a very exciting collaboration on Zoom on Thu 25th of April at 6.15pm…

We’re going to be chatting about our alternative routes in into the industry, non-London opportunities for jobs and ways to stand out - with time for Q&A!

Sign ups here.