Pathway into Publishing

Showcasing careers in the book publishing industries in the North of England.

Come along and meet stimulating Northern booksellers, writing organisations & publishers all under one roof on one day! Guests include Comma Press, Commonword, Fly on the Wall Press, Saraband, Society of Young Publishers North, Young Identity and the Portico Library book restoration duo, Jim & Tim plus fabulous books to buy!

People involved

Abbi Parcell

Abbi Parcell (BA MA PGCE) is a queer, butch, autistic, writer and poet based in Manchester.

My whole life has been a protest. My body has also been a battleground and dingy back room. Nevertheless, it's never belonged to me. We have arrived at a time where lesbian- focused spaces have faded like a droplet into water. It is time. Time for us to establish our history, our connections, our own bodies and how radical it always has been for us to simply breathe.

Children’s Books North

Children’s Books North was co-founded by Tilda Johnson, Emma Layfield and Liz Scott in 2020. CBN aims to connect published children’s authors, illustrators and publishing professionals living in the NW, NE, Yorkshire and Scotland. The network seeks to promote our members’ work, new books and events. Additionally, CBN is keen to bring focus on the importance of regional diversity in children’s books and the industry.

Tilda Johnson, Editorial Director, Golden Egg Academy and freelance editor

Tilda began her career at David Fickling Books, then PRH Children's, before joining the Hot Key Books and Piccadilly Press team as Senior Commissioning Editor. After relocating to the North in 2017 she became a freelance editor, mentoring writers directly, working for publishers and setting up a Manchester branch of the Golden Egg Academy. At GEA, Tilda now leads a team of fiction editors who provide editorial support for children's/YA writers as they progress their works-in-progress and prepare for submission to agents and publishers.

Emma Layfield, Picture Book Development Director, North, Hachette Children’s

After twenty years of working in London with Hachette Children's Group, in 2020 Emma Layfield took on a new role with the leading children's publisher, as Picture Book Development Director, North, based in Manchester. She is focused on acquiring talent from the North, Scotland and Ireland for HCG’s picture book list. Emma is also HUK's Manchester Office Lead. Emma is from Lancashire originally.

Liz Scott, freelance children’s book publicist

Liz is from West Yorkshire and has worked in the children’s book industry for 20 years, starting as an in-house publicist at Usborne Publishing before relocating to the North West as a freelance publicist. She works on PR campaigns and strategy with publishers and literacy organisations from across the industry including Oxford University Press, Usborne Publishing, Old Barn Books and the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education.  

Chellie Carroll

Chellie Carroll, judge of the first Portico Library Young People’s Book Award, introduces the winner and participants of this new award. Marvel in the beautifully handmade books, which include specifically written and illustrated poems and stories by the students taking part

Commonword

Comma Press

Fly on the Wall Press

Debbie Williams

Debbie Williams has over twenty years’ experience in the book and publishing. She started her career as children’s buyer at Waterstones Head Office through the Harry Potter era. Passionate about training the next generation of publishers Debbie set up a highly-practical innovative Masters in Publishing in her home town, Preston, at the University of Central Lancashire (the first publishing course in the North of England). She also established the world's first student-led trade, independent publisher which students ran as part of their course. UCLan Publishing, won acclaim in winning the Independent Publisher of the Year – Newcomer - and even had a Waterstones number one.

Debbie has recently joined the team at Manchester Metropolitan to establish a new MA Publishing and student-led publishing house based in the city. She also has a management role at Leeds Trinity University in academic development and international partnerships.

Louisa Reid

Louisa Reid has spent most of her life reading. And when she’s not doing that she’s writing stories, or imagining writing them at least. An English teacher, her favourite part of the job is sharing her love of reading and writing with her pupils. Louisa lives with her family in the north-west of England and is proud to call a place near Manchester home.

Louisa has published five novels for young adults. Her debut adult title, The Poet  was published by Doubleday in June 2022.

Mickela Sonola

I am an author, publisher and creative writing mentor. My first novel, Dead Dogs & Angels was published in 2018 by Holland House Press and was shortlisted for best novella at the Saboteur awards that same year. I am currently developing a young adult fiction novel, middle grade science fiction chapter book and a digital multi-narrative interactive ‘book’ for children.

In 2021, I set up my own publishing company, Sonola & Jones. This venture allows me to take control of my creative destiny and embark on a new chapter where my voice can resonate with readers on a personal level.

I have been leading creative writing workshops and working with writers for over twenty-five years, I create safe and supportive spaces for writers and help them to discover their voice, develop their craft and find the courage to publish.

Morayo Sodipo

Morayo Sodipo is a Manchester-based writer and former corrosion engineer who now works in theatre and film. She is currently the Communications Officer at Film Hub North and a co-founder of the community-led creative agency VAGUE. And since 2021 she has run Within My Locket, a blog about storytelling across film, theatre and literature.

Okechukwu Nzelu

Okechukwu Nzelu is a Manchester-based writer. In 2015 he was the recipient of a Northern Writers' Award from New Writing North. His debut novel, The Private Joys of Nnenna Maloney  (Dialogue Books), won a Betty Trask Award; it was also shortlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize and the Polari First Book Prize, and longlisted for the Portico Prize. In 2021, it was selected for the Kingston University Big Read. His second novel, Here Again Now (Dialogue Books, 2022) was longlisted for the Jhalak Prize. He has made several appearances on BBC Radio 3 and 4, and is a regular contributor to Kinfolk magazine. He is a Lecturer in Creative Writing at Lancaster University.

Saraband

Saraband is an award-winning independent publisher of outstanding fiction, absorbing nature writing, pressing environmental issues and compelling memoir.

Praised in the Guardian as “” we publish authors with deep knowledge of the culture, local landscapes, wildlife, folk traditions and history wherever they live. Our fiction includes literary, historical and contemporary stories reflecting UK and international perspectives, all with unforgettable voices. Our books inspire, inform and entertain, each helping to make the world a better place.

The Society of Young Publishers

The Writing Squad

Chloe Elliott

Chloe Elliott is a writer based in York. She is a winner of the 2022 New Poets Prize as well as the 2020 Creative Future Writers’ Award. Her writing features in or is forthcoming with Poetry Birmingham Literary Journal, bath magg, Bedtime Stories for the End of the World, Strix, Magma, amongst others. She sits on the Board for The Writing Squad, as well as Arts Council England’s Youth Advisory Board. Currently, she works for art and culture magazine Aesthetica. Her debut pamphlet, ‘encyclopaedia’ is forthcoming publication with Smith|Doorstop in June 2023. 

Lenni Sanders

Lenni Sanders is a writer based Manchester whose debut poetry pamphlet 'Poacher' came out with the Emma Press in 2019. Her poems have previously appeared in The Tangerine, Butcher's Dog, Bath Magg, Under The Radar and elsewhere. In March 2021, Lenni was Digital Poet in Residence at the Poetry Business, contributing an interactive poetry game in which you play her dreams.

Young Identity

Zeinab Al Jeddal - I’m 21 years old and have written little poems and monologues since I learnt how to write and have always had such a love for the written word; I was able to hone my craft with YI and meet so many like-minded and talented individuals. I used to perform in plays and musicals and enjoy being in creative spaces. I consider myself very lucky to have found YI when I did.

Saf Elsenossi (SAF-S2E) is a Young Identity poet, performance artist and rapper based in Manchester. He has performed nationally and internationally. He is one of six finalists of BBC 1Xtra's, BBC Asian Network's, and BBC Contain Strong Language's Words First talent development scheme and performed at BBC Contains Strong Language (2019).

Saf's poetry is published in No Disclaimers Volume One, Working From Home, Ecosystems of Fury and Use Words First.  Manchester International Festival (MIF) commissioned him as part of their MIF Sounds initiative, supporting Saf to develop his music project and release a new EP featured at MIF (2021).  

Billie Meredith is a poet, performer and facilitator whose work documents growth, interpersonal relationships and the profound mundanity, people watching. She has performed both music and poetry in the UK and across Europe for Schaubühne Berlin, BBC, Fio, Brighter Sounds, British Council, Manchester Histories, Southbank Centre, Hay Festival, RFK Human Rights Foundation and is a BBC Words First Winner 2022. She has worked as an actor, devising theatre for HOME, Manchester International Festival, Royal Exchange Theatre, Green Man Festival and Inkbrew Productions. Billie currently works most often as a facilitator within Manchester schools, libraries, community groups and conferences providing socially engaging workshops to young people as a creative outlet to aid them in the exploration of their human condition.