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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected] 

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 [email protected] 

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 [email protected]

In this episode Gemma sits down with Elizabeth Kellingley, winner of the Trailblazer Award 2025 and Bloomsbury's Accessibility Manager. They discuss winning the Trailblazer Awards at the London Book Fair, how Elizabeth is working to make the industry more accessible and the incredible dyslexic friendly novels Bloomsbury have released! Links: Elizabeth Kellingley: www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-kellingley-7569b0133/Dyslexic Friendly Books:https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/discover/superpages/fiction/bloomsbury-dyslexia-friendly-editions/Host Credits and SYP Links:Hosted and edited by Gemma Mathers (SYP UK Podcast Officer)Instagram: @SYP_UKTwitter: @SYP_UKWebsite: thesyp.org.ukIf you have any questions about this episode or wish to partake in the show, drop us a line at [email protected]

Description of Episode In this episode, Molly speaks to Polly Silk -- longtime international rights professional, and current lecturer and head of the MA Publishing Media at Oxford Brookes University. We dive into the current state of international rights in publishing, the details of what a day-to-day job in rights might look like, perks and challenge points of rights careers, and even answer the question: what exactly is international rights management? Interviewee Information and Links Polly Silk Oxford Brookes MA Publishing Media website: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/publishing-media Oxford International Centre for Publishing Instagram: @oxfordpublishingHelpful Links: Mentioned in this Episode LinkedIn: linkedin.comThe Bookseller: thebookseller.com Episode Transcript https://otter.ai/u/75RZZ4MMzsaHwX2Si18SBT6_zqI?utm_source=copy_urlHost Credits and SYP Links Hosted and edited by Molly Frisch (SYP Oxford Podcast Officer) Instagram: @oxford_syp Twitter/X: @SYP_Oxford Website: https://thesyp.org.uk/branch/oxford/Outreach If you have any questions about this episode or wish to partake in the show, drop us a line at [email protected]

In this episode, Gemma interviews Ama Badu, commissioning editor of children’s and YA fiction at Faber and Faber. We talk about the collaboration between authors, illustrators and publishers, and the journey of a book to acquisition. We discuss the FAB Prize and what makes for a prize-winning entry. Ama gives advice on working in children’s publishing, and for those seeking a career change into the industry. Ama Badu:LinkedIn https://uk.linkedin.com/in/ama-baduInstagram @noir.renaissanceFaber: Instagram @faberchildrensThe FAB Prize: https://www.faber.co.uk/about-faber/the-fab-prize/?srsltid=AfmBOooWaNxvC_Gg8yPfuu7o_icLkwirgoboEBvyMGMa4ga8Bb8Mdx3oBooks mentioned:My Hair - Hannah Lee (author), Allen Fatimaharan (illustrator)The Rapping Princess - Hannah Lee (author), Allen Fatimaharan (illustrator)Bad Queer - Gayathiri KamalakanthanFaber Illustrated ClassicsLost Love Songs - Ingrid PersaudGlasgow Boys - Margaret McDonaldNikki Giovanni, Poems: 1968-2020Episode transcript:https://otter.ai/u/DXwhe3lTCH8FA4rmb37zp0Cv5aE?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 [email protected]

In this episode Gemma sat down with Katie Isbester, Founder of Claret Press. Katie breaks down her publishing journey, from her first job to creating her own Micro-publishing business Claret Press, issues of accessibility within the industry and her recent book: Secrets of Micropublishing.Links:Claret Press: https://www.claretpress.com/Secrets of Micropublishing by Katie Isbester: https://www.claretpress.com/book/secrets-of-micropublishingEpisode TranscriptHost Credits and SYP LinksHosted and edited by Gemma Mathers (SYP UK Podcast Officer)Instagram: @SYP_UKTwitter: @SYP_UKWebsite: thesyp.org.ukIf you have any questions about this episode or wish to partake in the show, drop us a line at [email protected]