Inside Publishing

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 episode
David 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_UK
Twitter: @SYP_UK
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, 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 Dodson
Cane by Jean Toomer
The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing
The Dream Hotel by Leila Lalami 
Distant Fathers by Marina Jarre, translated by Ann Goldstein
Julia’s website https://juliasanches.com
SYP website https://thesyp.org.uk
Instagram @syp_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, 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 @minahsmusings
SYP Website https://thesyp.org.uk
Instagram @syp_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 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 @sypscotland
Website: 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, 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_url

Hosted and edited by Gemma Jackson (SYP London Podcast Officer)
Instagram @syp_london
X @SYP_UK
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]