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Editors’ Note In order to do that, or at least to be able to have the funds to publish that pet project, it is key that publishers find the winning combination in a that will create more than just a buzz, but also make people pre-order on Amazon and queue round the block to get into . Just think about it this way – for every Da Vinci Code, Twilight, and Fifty Shades of Grey, the industry has been able to produce that otherwise would have never had the capital behind them to see the light of day. So maybe Welcome to the SYP conference don’t judge those middle-aged ladies too of Inprint, in which we’ll be asking ‘what harshly when you see them tottering off makes a ?’ Is giving your book's to the cinema to see Fifty Shades Darker main character a meteorological related next year … scar all it takes, or is it enough to just fill the pages with drawings for your readers As always we must thank our editorial to colour in? Is there a secret formula, or team; Alice, Laura, Pauline, Tahmeed, is it just luck? As it turns out, there’s no Zoë and our designer Dasha, for pulling simple answer. together yet another sterling issue. We’ve got one more issue left to go, which will Not only does this year’s SYP conference be winging its way to you in the New explore all these questions by looking Year, so do get in touch if you have any at the different sections of the industry suggestions about what you’d like to see through the eyes of some of ’s or if you’d like to get involved by emailing best and brightest – but the articles within [email protected]. the issue offer insights from every part of the industry. We’ll also be looking at areas So enjoy, and see you at the conference! just on the periphery of the bestseller, like the lingering bias of literary reviews and whether people get just a little snobby when a book gains mainstream success.

From the outside, the world of publishing may look glamorous to many (they clearly don’t know anything about the paper Sarah Minty and Diane Brincat cuts) but at the end of the day, it is like any other business – companies need to make a profit and balance the books. Issue 151 November 2016 Contents www.thesyp.org.uk 3 Make a Bestseller in Ten Easy Steps Inprint is the magazine of the 4 How to Self-publish a Bestseller Society of Young 6 Around The World Publishers, sent out free of 8 The Social Media Machine: charge to all Can it Make a Bestseller? members. 10 Bestsellers: With Great Success @SYP_UK Comes Great Snobbery 12 The Bestseller or the Bookseller, Managing Editors Which Came First? Diane Brincat 16 Tod ay s Bestsellers Sarah Minty ' 17 Committee Update Editors 18 The Power of Publicity Alice Dewing Laura Pietrobon 20 So You Want to be an Agent? Pauline Cuchet 23 The Bookclub Tahmeed Zaki Zoë Sharples 24 Lesser Known Literary Landmarks of London Designer Dasha Miller 26 Just Like The Movies 28 Women Unmasked: Contributors Sexism in the Media Jess Balance 30 Chair's Column Emily Cook Stephanie Cox 31 Conference Conversation Starters Gemma Gardner Marie-Claire Grima 32 Conference Bingo Laura Jones Amy Maidment

2 Pauline Cuchet shows you how easy it is to make the Make a next bestseller in ten quick and easy steps! Bestseller

6. Vampires and werewolves are in Ten Easy welcome, and it is always better if Steps you can combine both. 7. Animals are always a big hit: tigers, dogs, birds … Take your pick!

8. Important theme: deadly disease, war, racism, the hunger of caterpillars… You Whether you are an aspiring writer or really want to make readers think. wanting to add a few zeros to your bank balance, we feel it is our duty at Inprint 9. A love story where timing is just always to share with you the secret to an instant off for ultimate frustration. That might bestseller. Sit back, relax; it will only take make your readers want to throw your three minutes. book out of a window but just make sure it's all worth it in the end. (Disclaimer: the writing process might take slightly longer than that.) 10. Finally, give your characters a quest that could be easily solved but instead 1. Find a conspiracy theory. It does not make them go through several death- have to be good; simply scandalous defying adventures. enough. Bonus advice: if you can include a gluten- 2. Include the word 'girl' in the title to free recipe that takes less than five minutes inspire both intrigue and girl power. to make anywhere in your story, then you have hit the jackpot. 3. Do not forget that magic is might, but not in a death-eater way, just in a 'magic And there you have it. Now all you have makes everything better' way. to do is pick up a pen and paper, your fancy laptop, or hip typewriter. You’re 4. Handcuffs and whips are must-have welcome! accessories for your characters. And don’t you dare forget blindfolds! *If you want a more in-depth (and serious) discussion on what makes a 5. Also tattoos are a must, preferably bestseller, check out literary agent Jonny mystical ones. Think unicorn, griffin or Geller’s TEDx Talk on YouTube. possibly even a dragon… 3 How to Self-publish a Bestseller Laura Pietrobon Talk me through the decision to self- publish – how did this come about? Self-publishing may have been met with skepticism by industry professionals in The Kickstarter campaign had been done the past, but the last few years have found for over a year by the time I took the self- many are now starting to sit up and take pub plunge. I had originally intended to notice. An avalanche of technological go the traditional publishing route, but I changes means that it is easier than ever wasn’t successful with that the first time for authors to get their stories out there around. If I hadn’t had the campaign, I on their own terms – in the last year alone, would’ve kept querying and pitching and sales of self-published e-books made up all that stuff you’re supposed to do. But 22% of the UK’s digital book market. since I had an awesome group of backers who’d been waiting very patiently for Last year, A Long Way to a Small Angry something to read, I felt I owed it to Planet, by Becky Chambers, made it them to put something in their hands. onto the shortlist of the Kitchies (a prize celebrating the best in speculative What did you have to do differently fiction) – an achievement, made all the when you decided to self-publish? more interesting by the fact it made her Did it help that you had that the first self-published author to do so. background in freelancing already? A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet took the world by storm, in a way that Having a freelance background definitely no self-published novel has done before, helped. I was used to being my own becoming a bestseller in the process. boss and making my own schedule, so hammering out a self-publishing game Becky’s had been working as a freelance plan came pretty naturally by that point. I writer when she began a Kickstarter with had to do a ton of research on things like the intention of funding a novel. We sat online marketplaces and file formatting down with Becky to talk over her self- and submission processes. All of the publishing journey and take a look at how practical stuff about self-publishing, I she turned her book into a bestseller. learned as I went. 4 I broke even. That’s the best I did and the best I figured I could hope for. We’re talking a few hundred sales, nothing more. Hodder and Stoughton, my primary publisher, did a huge amount of marketing, as did Harper Voyager, my stateside publisher. Those efforts got the book exponentially farther than I could have done on my own. But that’s not because traditional publishing is inherently better at getting the word out there (though having a trained, experienced marketing team certainly helps). I know folks with the marketing savvy to go it alone. I’m just not one of them. And I think that’s the biggest thing I learned from having published one book both ways. There is no right way to do this. There are pros and cons on both sides, and it really comes down to what your personal skill-set is and how you What do you think makes a bestseller want to spend your time. – or, even better, what do you think makes a science fiction or fantasy Self-publishing has definitely seen a bestseller? rise in the industry in the last couple of years – do you think it’s influence Having an awareness of who your audience will grow alongside traditional is is a foundational consideration in any methods? creative medium. You have to know who you’re talking to and what kinds of stories Absolutely. The Long Way had the will appeal to them. But beyond that, the enormous honor of being shortlisted best thing any creator can do is just be for the Arthur C. Clarke award this year genuine and tell the story that you love. – which I’m still pinching myself about If you love it, chances are someone else – and they’ve changed the rules to allow will, too. for self-published works in the future. To me, it’s a perfect example of how the I understand you’ve got a traditional playing field is changing. More and more, publishing contract now with Hodder self-publishing is being seen as an equally and Stoughton, were they involved viable way of getting your story out there. in marketing A Long Way to a Small Because that’s all it really is, in the end. Angry Planet further? What was the It’s just a means. The end experience for most surprising thing you learnt, the reader is the same. watching both publishing processes almost back to back? A Closed and Common Orbit, a follow up to A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet is The best way for me to answer this is by now available in stores. saying that as a self-published author, 5 There are two types of bestsellers: those invited every reader to reconnect with his that capture the whole world and those or her inner child. that only appeal to a localised audience. No ••50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James better way to understand their differences than giving you some examples. E.L. James’ erotica novel shocked the world when it surpassed Harry You most likely already know that the Potter and the Philosopher’s bestselling book of all time is The Bible. Stone in the all time But which titles follow in the list of bestseller list. Turns global bestsellers? Below are the titles out blindfolds in question, but their ranking has to be are more taken with a grain of salt as it does not popular always coincide depending on the source. than capes! ••Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes This Spanish novel has inspired numerous plays and adaptations since it was originally published in 1615. ••Xinhua Zidian: Chinese-language dictionary Bestsellers First published in 1953, this dictionary has become the standard for Chinese school children. ••A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens Around The First published in 1859, this is Dickens’ most popular novel which depicts the events of the French Revolution. ••The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien World Tolkien’s epic fantasy series The Lord of the Rings published in 1955 was a roaring Finding success, as well as its predecessor The the top Hobbit, first published in 1937. Both global have been made into blockbuster movies, bestsellers which have inspired a new generation of was a piece of 'precious' readers. cake compared to identifying a foreign ••The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry country’s all time bestselling title. After a lot of snooping around, we This impactful story by French pilot found the following three examples. Saint-Exupéry, first published in 1943, is more than just a children’s tale and has

6 ••Japan: Totto-chan by Tetsuko The all-time bestselling title in Indonesia Kuroyanagi is The Rainbow Troops, another This title is destined for a young audience autobiographical novel, which gives and is the autobiography of a famous incredible insight into island life. Japanese TV personality, which focuses •Brazil: Agape by Marcelo Rossi mainly on her education. • The bestselling title in Brazil is a self-help Did you know? Harry book written by celebrity priest Marcelo Potter and the Rossi. It aims to apply Catholic teachings Philosopher’s to our contemporary life. Stone made it third on Although both Totto-chan and The the list of Rainbow Troops have been translated all- into English, they have not found the time same success as they did in their home country. This can be explained by the fact that certain subject matters cannot really translate to other cultures but also by a lack of marketing dedicated to these Bestsellers foreign titles in our own market. In terms of current foreign bestsellers, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has topped the list in both Mexico and the United Arab Emirates, proving that J.K. Rowling’s work is truly a worldwide Around The phenomenon.

At the moment, readers in China are diving into Japanese author Keigo Higashino’s novel The Miracle in the World Grocery Store. Pauline Cuchet Finally, both Poland and Spain are favouring native authors at the moment, Japanese with Piotr C.’s novel Dirt in Poland and bestsellers. Ildefonso Falcones’ Heirs of the Earth in Spain, sequel to another bestseller ••Indonesia: The Rainbow Troops by published in 2006. Andrea Hirata This brief tour around the world has Indonesia has been described as hopefully given you some idea of new having a very active publishing industry books to pick up and help you gain but not much interest in entering western perspective on other cultures. publishing markets. As a result, the tastes Read the world! of its readers remain difficult to grasp for the rest of the world. 7 The Social Media Machine: Can it Make a Bestseller?

“I want to be an author when I grow up. Am I insane?” — @powertothepencil “Yes. Growing up is highly overrated. Just be an author.” —Neil Gaiman

Zoë Sharples for authors, but those who get it right are well on their way to selling more books. These days, you can’t make a bestseller ‘Bestseller’ status requires a combination simply by putting a book on a shelf in a of marketing magic, including Kindle jazzy jacket; the hard work continues post Daily Deals, book prize longlistings, publication. For authors, the writing and backing of retailers such as Waterstones refining might be over, but the process and Sainsbury’s, as well as social media of boosting a book up the bestseller engagement. ranking has just begun. As well as touring bookshops and festivals, social media has Like the many people trying to get into enabled authors to promote their books publishing, authors are being instructed around the clock, reaching new audiences to use social media to create an ‘online and connecting with loyal ones. But can presence’. But just because it’s another social media make a bestseller? way of marketing a book, doesn’t mean it will automatically boost sales. The key, for The words social and media put together authors, as well as publishing hopefuls, have taken on almost mythical properties, is to engage in a way that they feel especially in publishing circles: there is a comfortable: take from the social media disconnect between those who can use machine what you need, give what you social media and those who can’t; those can, but focus on creative reality most of who want to use it and those who don’t; the time. and those who know its potential and those who ignore its possibilities. The multitude Here are some authors who are doing this of platforms out there make social media incredibly well, and selling more books a crowded space and a daunting prospect because of it: 8 Mark Dawson – bestselling author of the Veronica Roth – YA author of the John Milton, Beatrix Rose and Soho Noir bestselling Divergent series. series. theartofnotwriting.tumblr.com Facebook.com/markdawsonauthor Veronica’s Tumblr is the perfect Mark focuses his efforts on his Facebook destination for her fans; her posts reflect page; he posts regularly and offers free her readers’ interest in popular film, TV, books and cover reveals to encourage music and literature. Posts about her own readers to return. Mark asks questions to writing are infrequent, but she rewards engage his audience, and adds personal her readers with free chapters of new photographs to balance marketing his work. books. Social media is a fad, in the sense it is an intense and widely shared enthusiasm for what is essentially the latest form of communication. It will no doubt morph into something quite different in the next five years; ten to fifteen year olds are already moving away from Facebook, preferring the instant, visual nature of Snapchat and Instagram. Pertinent use of social media can definitely encourage book sales, and this will continue as social media grows into different forms. Authors should constantly consider their engagement, and whether it is helping or hindering their books success. So, here’s my advice: take from the social media Amanda Prowse – women’s fiction and machine what you need, give what you international bestselling author can, but focus on creative reality most of @MrsAmandaProwse the time.

Amanda consistently replies to the reader For more on authors boosting their books comments she receives on Twitter, which online, check out Kate Gwynne’s 2015 allows her to engage with her readers Guardian article, ‘Authors Who Excel on repeatedly. the Internet’. 9 Bestsellers: With Great Success Comes Great Snobbery

Tahmeed Zahki titles are in the top 10 fiction list on the Sunday Times list as of writing. This Everyone likes a bestseller, right? It helps will undoubtedly change the closer we the industry to grow and (not to mention get to the prize, but it is rather telling keep people employed). And everyone is that a current top 10 bestseller is Ian thrilled when a book does well. They go McEwan’s Nutshell. McEwan, who is a out to their nearest bookshop and buy the multiple nominee and previous winner latest bestsellers to see what all the fuss is of the prize, is at a point in his long and about. Well, not quite. illustrious career where he can expect his books to sell well without the recognition It is, sometimes, an unacknowledged fact of any awards. And it has certainly of the entertainment industry as a whole proved that way with several of his last that a really successful title that has sold books selling well despite not having the in the millions will at some point invite awards recognition of his earlier books derision and hostility merely for being such as Amsterdam, Enduring Love, or successful. This is perhaps most visible Atonement. in the film industry where top grossing blockbuster films are often over-looked But putting aside the issue of awards for prestigious awards simply for being and critical acclaim, it seems bestselling successful with the Oscars in particular books tend to generate a level of hostility being accused of snobbery on an annual from the general public simply for being basis. But the book industry has a similar successful. To make matters worse a if not as well publicised problem. lot of times these works are sometime dismissed as being targeted for the ‘lowest Take a look at the Booker Prize for common denominator’ and anyone who instance; while being shortlisted definitely enjoys reading them is viewed as being boosts the sales of a book, it is very rarely intellectually inferior, to put it mildly. that an already well selling book ever makes the long-list. Indeed, even with Take for instance two of the biggest the prestige and publicity of being a selling titles of the past decade: Twilight Booker nominee, none of the shortlisted and 50 Shades of Grey. I will put my hands 10 up and say that I haven’t read any of the immediate criticism and often very harsh books from either of these series and I criticism, often ironically from other cannot defend the merits of the books 'celebrities' who use ghost-writers for themselves. But the vitriol and abuse that their books as well. Search through any this readership sometimes gets is uncalled news item around the Christmas period for, to the point that some people will go of 2014 and you will find a sneering out of their way to read these books on undercurrent of disdain at Zoe and her their Kindles or tablets as they do not want publisher’s success. to feel embarrassed to be seen reading them in public. It’s a situation anyone But here’s the most important thing who has been ridiculed for reading a about the whole affair: the success of 'children’s book' – like Harry Potter – can Girl Online helped Penguin Random quite easily relate to. Part of the problem House to high profit margins which then is undoubtedly because of the uglier sides helped them to invest in newer authors of human nature – some people just hate without the guaranteed audience and to see others enjoy themselves, and for enables them to publish more difficult books to do well. to grasp or ‘high-brow’ concepts. That is how the book industry, like any other Another part of the problem is an industry, operates. Contrary to popular imagined conflict between high-brow and belief bestsellers actually help the book low-brow, and failing to understand that industry to diversify the types of titles the book industry, like any other industry, they publish as they simply have more is profit driven and publishers need to money to invest in riskier projects. After prioritise sales above everything else. all, imagine what a book shop that only Capitalising on a trend is frowned upon stocks ‘high-brow’ experimental writers with publishers accused of being copycats like Thomas Pynchon or James Joyce or not taking risks with properties that and you can see just how unenjoyable does not have a guaranteed audience. that experience would become. People have different tastes and if publishers are Perhaps the most venomous iteration trying to make a profit from catering to of this attitude presented itself in the everyone's varying tastes then that can aftermath of Zoe Sugg’s Girl Online. only be a good thing. Because at the end Here was an instance of a publisher of the day, variety is the spice of life and capitalising on a new form of celebrity. Yet that is what makes the reading experience the success of her book brought with it so enjoyable for so many people. 11 The Bestseller or the Bookseller, What Came First?

Jess Balance author: the unknown quantity. No matter how glorious the prose or how glowing Jess Ballance combines her work as a the reviews, when we crunch the numbers bookseller and manager of a Daunt and take off our pair of idealism goggles, Books in North London with the role a bestseller in the making will invariably of associate editor at Dodo Ink, an have the highest number of copies independent publisher of daring and shipped to the highest number of stores. diverse literary fiction. The books of bestseller stalwarts like James Patterson, Terri Hayes, or Paula I’ll begin with a secret: some bestsellers Hawkins ship in their tens of thousands, just happen. Sometimes the reputation of with copies in every Barnes & Noble and an author and an established fanbase can Waterstones across the land. People can’t be enough to inspire market confidence buy what they can’t see. And bestsellers based on analysis of previous sales and are made — name’s a bit of a giveaway, consumer figures. Essentially, and as here — by how well they sell. So far, so dry as that may sound, their bestseller simple right?* likelihood is far higher than a debut

*Jonny Geller, joint-CEO and literary agent at Curtis Brown, outlines a number of key factors in terms of content and style in his ‘What Makes a Bestseller?’ TedxOxford Talk e.g. Voice (is it unique?), Resonance (is it zeitgeist friendly?), Hook (e.g. Gone Girl meets Vanity Fair). It’s well worth a watch, though is by no means comprehensive. Nor is this article, I might add. 12 As a bookseller, and an independent one recommendations we give them (and the at that, we often order in small numbers feedback we get!), all help to inform and of brand new titles and watch the sales shape these choices, and make us better closely. If, for instance, reviews start booksellers. generating a positive buzz or it gets picked for a BBC Radio 2 bedtime book, then we After considering how high-street order responsively, upping our numbers. bookshops identified and created Conversely, things don’t correlate so easily bestsellers, I started looking into how and, for whatever reason, often publishing Amazon went about classifying their can feel like a game of chance. Sometimes bestsellers … and the rabbit hole I nearly things take off that surprise you and, as fell down was vast and would probably a bookseller, you sense that copies would require several Inprints to begin to shift even without your being there to tell contain. Forgive me this side-bar, but people how great it was. Conversely, there I’ll keep it brief. Needless to say, there are times when, no matter how glowing are greater minds† than I out there the coverage, sales remain mystifyingly who could relate this fascinating subject sluggish. far more succinctly (and accurately) for you but, in short, Amazon’s ‘bestseller’ When choosing what book to feature criteria involves of sales as well in a Daunt Books window, we have to as rate of sales overtime within category- personally love it: great content comes specific markets. An Amazon ‘bestseller’ first. Primarily, we aim to share great doesn’t always mean what you think it stories and innovative content with means, nor does it correlate completely our customers. However, as a business, and cleanly with a high-street bestseller. bookshops also have to take practical They are similar but different beasts. Like concerns into account. Does the book first cousins who sort of look alike (ish). come in at the right price point for it to be appealing to customers? Is the cover To look at another ‘bestseller’ model, ‘right’? Does it have reasonably broad in The Bestseller Code, Jodie Archer and appeal? Are we, as a retailer, getting a Matthew Jockers mention a terrifying great discount from our supplier? If we programme they created that used decide to buy lots of copies on the back 'text-mining' techniques on 20,000 of a few great reviews, can we negotiate a novels. They developed a model that better discount and increase our margins? could analyse theme, plot, style, and At Daunt Books especially, we take great character to predict 'with stunning pleasure in being local. Every shop aims accuracy' whether a manuscript would be to cater to its particular locale, and having a bestseller. Further down the machine- spent time in all of our London shops, you route, Intellogo uses machine learning begin to spot which kinds of books do to compare current bestsellers, which better where. The relationships we build represent current market interests, to with our customers, the conversations any forthcoming titles. This, in theory, we have with them everyday, and the identifies the richest seams for the future

†I humbly welcome any and all corrections and clarifications from said 'greater minds'. I think Amazon algorithms are fascinating and would love to learn more.‡

‡I promise I have friends. 13 based on past success and helps focus and model can come into tension alongside a orient marketing efforts. Brushing past carefully personalised style. my many personal qualms with such a Our customers like to feel they’re making system of literary value-appraisal, there individualist choices about what they is a danger that this approach might decide to read next, and don’t always like encourage a closed-system publishing to feel like one of the crowd or that their whereby bestseller would determine choices has been presupposed by a high- future-bestseller while other innovative tech algorithm. From their perspective, and therefore ‘different’ books fall outside they are unique. The publishing world the established parameters for ‘success’. has been talking about diversity, including Would we really want just ‘more of the localised regional voices with increasing same’? More ‘easy sells’? What would frequency and volume. However, they drive change, shake things up, or feed a are used to approaching such concerns zeitgeist in such atrophic cycle? from a ‘What’-centric mindset while often sticking to the same old marketing models. ‘What do I read next?’ is the question the A good bookseller, however, will come at publishing industry is trying to provide this from the other direction: calibrating an answer for in an increasingly online the market around that specific customer, world. Occasionally a customer will ask curating a few recommendations and, where our 'Bestseller' section is, and I with any luck, finding the title that best say that, strictly speaking, we don’t have answers the all important question: ‘What one – but what do you like? The term do I read next?’, with all the emphasis on ‘Bestseller’ can be helpful, yes, but not the ‘I’. as a blanket banner for universal quality. What sells in Coventry may not take in Publishing is sometimes accused of Edinburgh. What may not appeal to functioning from within a closed system: Cambridge might just be a runaway hit an echo-chamber. The reader is in danger in Manchester. A ‘bestseller’ mass-market of being forgotten, and many publishers are waking up to this fact by citing the What makes a bestseller? The answer is a importance of booksellers and in spending helpless gesture towards a nebulous and time on the shop floor: the frontline co-dependent snarl of excellent content, of sales and customer engagement. By design, marketing, promotion, and timing. opening up a dialogue and speaking Oh, and sometimes luck. We have plenty to their consumers, publishers are able of ways in which we think we can identify to find out how better to orientate them, that’s for sure. As a bookseller (and themselves to meet readers’ needs. At the without getting too schmultzy) I have recent IPG conference, there was a lot of always found that ultimately it comes talk about a consumer driven model for down to one thing – trust. Trust is key. publishing. Independent presses, and you A good bookseller doesn’t ‘hard sell’ or may argue the increasing proliferation of work on commission. Of course we take specialised imprints at larger publishers, notice of bestsellers — we’d be crazy not are catering to this as best they can, but to — but we also curate from our own being on the ground and having those all interests and passions. To quote Faber & important conversations with customers Faber’s MD Stephen Page, from his piece is where booksellers do their best work. in The Bookseller this June: ‘If you don’t Consequently, and if the growing know what you want, having all books confidence in Waterstones and resurgence available is less helpful than a small fraction in other high-street booksellers is passionately and thoughtfully curated’. As anything to go by, many readers have a bookseller, and as a bookshop manager, already turned away from the internet I feel that independent bookshops and ‘also bought’ logarithms and, seeking a knowledgeable booksellers are vital to this more curated and personalised response, increasingly ‘curationist’ movement. We are heading to the places (and the people) are, in the simplest terms, matchmakers: they trust most to recommend an answer. uniting stories with readers, and putting the right book into the right person’s hands at just the right moment. Today’s Bestsellers

Pauline Cuchet Fiction – Thrillers: The Girl on the Train by Paula In 2014, 184,000 titles were published in Hawkins the UK. But how many of those made it to the oh-so-coveted bestseller list? After Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train is another thriller with the 'g' word in the The bestseller list is like a never-ending title that has made it onto the bestseller game of musical chairs, where titles list. Coincidence, I think not. With the get ejected every week and replaced by movie now out in theatres, you can get others. Certain titles manage to hold on double the thrills. for a month or two, sometimes more, but the constant changes can be difficult to Fiction - Romance: After keep up with. Don’t fret; Inprint is here You by Jojo Moyes to bring you up to speed. The sequel to Me Before You has now superseded its predecessor on the Here are five current bestselling titles in bestseller list. Everyone wants to know the UK (although by the time you read what happens to Lou. Maybe we’ll get a this, they might all have been evicted if movie for that one too! J.K. Rowling decides to pull another book out of her hat, and by hat I mean brain). Fiction - Graphic Novels: Username Regenerated by Joe Sugg Another sequel but this time a graphic Children’s: Harry Potter novel from YouTube sensation Joe Sugg and the Cursed Child (aka 'Zoella’s brother' – I am sure he – Parts 1 and 2 by J.K. gets that one a lot). The vlogger effect is Rowling apparently still going strong.

Speaking of Queen Joanne, her play Harry Non-Fiction: Lean in 15 by Potter and the Cursed Child is at the top Joe Wicks of the list for Children’s titles, although Another internet sensation on this list, Joe this book is being read by people across Wicks discusses how to be fit by eating all ages. better and exercising less. I don’t know about you, but the second part sounds good to me!

16 SYP Oxford SYP North CommitteeNetworking – The Keys to Northern Update Success Networking is often presented as one of We kicked off our relaunch with a very the most important aspects of the industry, successful event in Leeds in August with yet often feels like the most daunting. Richard Carman of children’s publisher In October there was a full house for Fourth Wall Books and followed up in UpdateSYP Oxford’s Networking Masterclass, Manchester with a brilliant Q&A with where we hosted Suzanne Collier from True Crime publisher Pete from Milo bookcareers.com, Claire Louise Kemp Books. Both events proved that there’s from Atwood Tate, and Emma Williams a real appetite for a Northern publishing from Elsevier. Top tips from the night community and they also highlighted the included engaging on social media before fantastic talent we have in this region. and afterwards, ensuring that you follow up with anyone you meet shortly after We’ve also recently given talks at the the event, and having a realistic goal Wakefield Literature festival and a North of the number of people you want to Staffordshire book launch and will very have a conversation with – around six is shortly be attending career and literary recommended. The talk has made me feel events in Sheffield, Derby, Manchester a lot more confident about networking at the SYP Conference and other future and Leeds. We’re rushed off our feet publishing events. For more advice from but in a very promising way. And with the evening, look up #SYPNetworking on both The Guardian and Bookmachine Twitter. championing the ‘Northern powerhouse of publishing’, things are only going to Amy Maidment get more exciting! Stephanie Cox SYP Scotland The Booker Effect SYP Ireland What does a Man Booker shortlisting do Lots to report from a busy summer for for a small, independent, Glasgow-based SYP Ireland. We kicked off our book publisher? Saraband has been finding out club on June 14th with an enthusiastic after Graeme Macrae Burnet’s His Bloody discussion of Marita Conlon-McKenna’s Project beat the likes of J. M. Coetzee and Rebel Sisters, chosen as a nod to the A. L. Kennedy in the September shortlist 1916 Rising commemorations this year. announcement. Our second social event followed a few weeks later, and was well attended by Aside from boosted book sales, His Bloody Irish publishers and booksellers, as well Project is reported as the first Scottish as people aspiring to start careers in these book from a Scottish publisher to get so areas of the industry. far in the literary race. The thoroughly respected and acclaimed Saraband is We are set to announce our first finally making a splash beyond Scotland’s networking event very shortly, along with borders, arguably down to a willingness a festive pub quiz (we’re really looking to take a risk and invest in Burnet since forward to putting this together!). You his first book in 2014. The joy and can keep up with our plans and events in camaraderie is palpable across Scottish our monthly newsletter or follow us on publishing and we hope it’s a sign of more Twitter – @SYPEire. to come. Emily Cook Laura Jones The P owe of P r ublic ity

However, publicists are (often) incredibly intelligent and exceptionally busy people. © Working Title Films Title © Working What this role entails is extremely hard to Alice Dewing sum up. When people ask me, ‘but what do you do’ – my brain becomes fogged in Within the publishing industry, publicity a blur of book events, phone calls, averted is often downplayed and treated as slight crises, stain remover pens, clingy authors, afterthought in the process of publishing low budgets and calming anxious editors. a book. I have often been asked, with a But there’s far more to the job than that. slight smirk, do I remember ‘those’ scenes in Bridget Jones where Bridget answers It’s equally hard to quantify exactly how the office phone with a blithe ‘hello – effective publicity is in creating a bestseller, publicity’, or where Daniel Cleaver accuses but it is becoming more obvious that with her of ‘swan [ning] around in [a] short the ever-shrinking review space within skirt and [a] sexy see-through blouse, traditional media, publicists are using fanny[ing] around with press releases.’ more inventive and thoughtful ways to These questions perfectly encapsulate the fight for valuable and limited coverage offhand impression within the industry space. From getting authors on the sofa on that publicists are female, ‘a bit posh’, and morning TV, to persuading them to write somewhat lacking in brains. zeitgeisty pieces for online magazines

18 recommendations and a ‘relatable to the masses’ setting (who hasn’t looked through the windows of houses from the train window and wondered about the or have a camera pointed directly up lives of others?). Strategic planning for The P their nose for a Twitter Q+A, publicists this campaign would have started a year o are always on the look out for new before publication, securing endorsements w opportunities to gain public attention for from other writers, building reviews e a book and its author. As well as talking to across Goodreads and NetGalley, seeding r arts correspondents and literary editors, early review copies with booksellers, we are now in discussion with travel bloggers and ambassadors, then using editors, business pages, Animals and You this enthusiasm as a foundation on of Pu magazine. We trawl every single word of which to pitch to mainstream media. b our books looking for a good hook, we By building a springboard on which lic stalk our authors online to find something to launch the book, early sales were that would make them the perfect pairing generated and by maintaining a steady it for a journalist (FYI we also have to know stream of enthusiasm, visiting all possible y what the journalists like – usually wine). opportunities in which to champion the We build schedules and relationships with book, the sales never really stopped. Now, bookshops, we spend weeks at a time the book relies heavily on social media on the road with the most demanding and the aforementioned word-of-mouth, authors who snap their fingers to get ensuring that sales are consumer driven – our attention – or, we can spend weeks however, without that initial strategizing at a time on the road with authors who and buzz built from a now, award- become our good friends. Be it Snapchat, winning publicist, it’s arguable that The Instagram or Twitter, we’re in the know. Girl On The Train may have never quite We must always be the first ones at a party, left the station. and the last to leave. For all of us, we hit the ground running and never stopped. This is why publicists love their job: you know that great feeling you get when you At the 2016 British Book Industry Awards, recommend a book to your friend and Alison Barrow won Publicity Campaign they love it? It’s that, but with journalists of the Year for her work on The Girl On and the general public in the mix. Working The Train – a publishing phenomenon with the marketing team to build a strong which has maintained a permanent place campaign strategy that will drive a book on the bestseller list. Of course it would into the hands of a consumer and build have been impossible for the publisher author profile is an exhilarating and goal- to predict just how huge the sales and orientated task. A win, no matter how low reaction would have been, but for a hanging the fruit, can make a day glow, publicist this is the perfect book on which and that’s what makes it worth it. Plus the to build a killer campaign – a page-turner parties are pretty great too. with huge potential for word-of-mouth

19 So You Want to Be an Agent?

Laura Pietrobon What brought about this change in and Zoe Sharples career, from law to literary agent?

A realisation that I didn’t want to work in criminal defence! Working on novels of the crime genre is a lot easier than the real life particulars of murder, gang crime or sexual assault. I’d always loved reading, to the point as a child I preferred going to the over anything else … I had never imagined that something that gave me such pleasure could also fall under the label [of] work. But [while] working as a legal secretary and spending a lot of time online googling other careers I stumbled upon a programme Random House ran. This led me to look into agencies and their internship schemes, which with my legal background felt like the better fit. Felicity Blunt, Curtis Brown What do you specialise in? Why are you drawn to these genres? We all fall into publishing in our own ways – but how many of us can say that My fiction tastes are quite wide ranging. that way was through law school? Felicity I read across many genres and my list Blunt trained as a barrister before she tends to reflect that. So historical, became an agent at Curtis Brown. contemporary, suspense, literary fiction,

20 thrillers and crime. The writing for me come to be renewed. Also collaborating is key. I want to know that I’m going to with our film/TV department as to be just as excited to read book two as I what opportunities there are to exploit was book one. Can this writer move me, those rights. Looking at re-jacketing the convince me of a character’s motivations backlist, exploring unpublished works. and surprise me? On the non-fiction side Preventing people from writing sequels I focus on cookery, food is a passion of the estate do not want to see! It may mine. I’m interested in writers who write sound administrative heavy but actually beautifully on the subject and whose it’s one of the most rewarding already of understanding of food alters my own. my job. I love working with her children and her books mean a great deal to me Obviously there is no surefire way to personally so it’s a privilege to take predict a bestseller – but what do temporary custody of them. you think are some key elements in creating one? Lastly, do you have one piece of advice for anyone looking at Aside from great material, a great package becoming a literary agent? is essential. So in fiction a title, tag line and cover art that work together to really Love what you do. It’s a life you give hold the attention of a browser. For me everything to, your books and your the perfect storm is when they aren’t all clients are more than just a day job. You saying the same thing but the combination will never go into a weekend without of the three means you are picking up the five things to read and you will never go book, turning it over and starting to read anywhere without part of a manuscript in the back copy. On the cookery side I’d your bag or on your kindle. Your family say trying to find something that doesn’t will get very used to the top of your head look entirely derivative of something else. bent over a book and if someone asks you I’ve had such fun observing Fourth Estate about the latest Netflix series you will work on the Anna Jones books because often have no idea what they are talking the editor there Louise Haines takes such about. But if you love literature and have care about how she presents the package taste – by which I mean you know what and what design decisions she takes. you like – and you have the confidence to stand by that it is a wonderfully rewarding I know you work on the estate of and exciting job. To be the first person Daphne du Maurier – does it differ to give notes to a writer, to get to send to working on current manuscripts? their work out into the world, watch it be What is involved? published, see other people read it … is mind-blowing for a girl who liked to hang Effectively her books are held on licences out in as a kid and thought she so it’s working to maximize the value of was going to go into law. those licenses for the estate when they

21 authors as closely as possible, from the very beginning onwards. I also realised that agents often do a lot more editorial work than editors actually do, and I loved the idea on helping a project come alive from a kernel of an idea right up to publication. I was offered a job at PFD after I had been at Curtis Brown for about four months, and I’ve now been here for five years, having worked my way up from assistant to agent.

What do you look for in a submission? Laura Williams, Peter Fraser and Dunlop I’m looking for all different types of fiction – from literary to commercial Laura Williams is an agent at Peters to young adult. My taste is quite dark, Fraser and Dunlop, where she has been so I’m looking for strange, bleak, eerie working since 2011, after completing stories across all those genres. I’d love a degree in Classics at Oxford. She is to find a really creepy novel about a cult, actively building a fiction list and a small or a gothic horror story. But I do love non-fiction list. She is currently looking weepies too, either of the unbearably sad for literary fiction, edgy commercial or unbearably heart-warming variety. You fiction, psychological thrillers and high- never know what pitch in your inbox is concept contemporary young adult. going to make you sit up and take notice, so it’s good to keep an open mind and a What was your route to becoming an broad remit. agent? What do you think makes a I always knew I wanted to work in bestseller? publishing – I was lucky enough to do my first week’s work experience when If we could answer that question in one I was sixteen at Vintage, which was paragraph or less, our jobs would be hugely formative, and I pretty much easy! Without sounding too cliché, it’s remember every single minute of it. After that X factor – it’s something that makes several internships at publishing houses the book absolutely brand new whilst throughout university and immediately also ticking the boxes that are required afterwards, I was lucky enough to get a to appeal to a wide readership. Quality paid internship at Curtis Brown, a literary writing is also incredibly important, agency, which turned into a sort of as well as passionate publishing – the extended temping job, assisting the CEO books that are the greatest successes are Jonathan Lloyd. Being thrown into the always those where the whole team at the deep end working with one of the most publishing houses have put their all into incredible agents and his wide-ranging getting the book out there. and wonderful client list was terrifying, but it made me realise that this was what To find out more, follow Laura on I really wanted to do – working with @laurabirdland. 22 Laura Pietrobon, Gemma LONDON London Book Club kicked off summer Gardner and Emily Cook with a graphic novel, Bryan Lee O’Malley’s Lost at Sea. O’Malley also wrote the Scott Hi Book Clubbers, how was your Pilgrim series, and this story shares some summer? Did you manage to make it all of the more quirky elements. Raleigh, a the way through your well-intentioned shy teenage girl who doesn’t have a soul (but if we’re honest, three books too (a cat stole it – at least that’s what she tells long) reading list? The three branches of people when she can work up the courage the SYP Book Club were very busy – read to talk to them), somehow finds herself on, and maybe you’ll find some good on a cross-country trip with three of her suggestions to curl up with as autumn rowdy classmates. What will she learn breezes in. about herself? OXFORD DUBLIN The Oxford Book Club started The newest branch of the SYP book club their summer with Han Kang’s The has gotten off to a great start – they started Vegetarian, about a woman who in one with Rebel Sisters by Marita Conlon- way, has a breakdown, and in another McKenna, chosen as this year is the 100th way, breaks free from the conforms of anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising. society. They were surprised that it was The club discussed how the characters mainly a psychological read rather than were based on real people from the Rising, something steeped in magical realism and this element of real history meeting – but many found the balance between fiction impacted their view of the events the psychological and the mystical in during the Rising. It was noted that the the novel made it an engaging read. connections they made with the characters This was different from their next book, helped readers to relate to the events, as Virginia Woolf’s The Waves, which really you experienced their feelings over what divided the book club. Some of really was happening. For their second book, liked the characters’ tones, and the way the club indulged in Fangirl by Rainbow Woolf uses language to try and denote Rowell. They discussed how the main the feelings that children have but can’t character, Cath, was an introvert and the quite express. Others found it jarring way her imagination was used to build that young characters in the schoolroom the story. They found it interesting to see were speaking in such a sophisticated how everyone in the group all related to way. However, everyone was united in different aspects of Cath, whether it was their choice of favourite character – the her interests, her relationship with her earnest, thoughtful Bernard. sister or with the outside world.

23 Lesser Known Literary Landmarks of London

Tahmeed Zahki and championed the city by declaring that ‘when a man is tired of London, he is London is a great place for book lovers of tired of life’? all kinds. The city has attracted authors, poets, dramatists and artists of all forms Dr Johnson’s House is a Grade 1 listed throughout history and it has a cultural town house on Gough Square in Central heritage that few other cities in the London. For a small admission price of world can match. With all the museums £6.00 (with concessions), visitors have dedicated to authors, theatres, bookshops the option of seeing the great dictionary dotted throughout the city it can be quite and where it was written, as well as a problem for someone to know where enjoying tours that explain Johnson’s to start and often some of the lesser life. Not to mention, the option to try celebrated spots can get overlooked. Here on the Museum’s Georgian costumes are five places that should be on your list and marvelling at the seventeenth and to visit when in London. eighteenth century architecture. Or you could spend an afternoon simply Dr Johnson’s House relaxing in the library amidst the tranquil London is full of museums dedicated to atmosphere. its famous literary residents with often spotted iconic blue plaques; adorning Senate House Library buildings occupied by famous people Not as iconic as the British Library, Senate at one point or another, as important a House Library is the administrative centre symbol of the city as is the tube line. The of the University of London. It has a free list of museums to choose from can be membership for students of any of the quite exhaustive in itself. But if there is participating London universities, and only one museum you want to visit, then non-students can sign up for an annual why not try the house of the man who membership for a fee. The library also gave the world the first English dictionary holds two main exhibitions every year.

24 The real attraction of the library however its haunted status - with its most famous is the building itself. Opened in 1937, its ghost being the “Man in Grey”, who, Art Deco and Neo Classical style building according to legend, was a nobleman stands tall among the surroundings from the 18th century whose skeleton and can be spotted from other London was found inside a walled-up side passage landmarks such as the Shard. It stands at of the theatre in 1848. over 200 feet and has an imposing stature which has served as an inspiration for Highgate Cemetery Graham Greene’s Ministry of Fear and Rounding up our list is a nice alternative inspired the description for the Ministry to Poet’s Corner at Westminster Abbey: of Truth in George Orwell's 1984. The Highgate Cemetery. Located near design of the building itself has also been Archway Tube on the Northern Line used in countless films ranging from towards High Barnet, it’s designated Richard III, 1984, Batman Begins and The Grade 1 on the Historic England Dark Knight Rises to name a few, further Register of Parks and Gardens of Special indicating the building’s imposing power Historic Interest. Founded in 1839 some to create a sense of awe and wonder. of its famous burials include literary heavyweights such as Douglas Adams, Theatre Royal Drury Lane George Eliot, Christina Rossetti and The Globe is one of the most iconic Stella Gibbons not to mention prominent places in London but it’s not the only old figures from other fields, such as Michael theatre in the city. One of the oldest that Faraday and Herbert Spencer. still functions as a theatre and currently staging the musical Charlie and the Undoubtedly, the cemetery’s most Chocolate Factory is Theatre Royal Drury famous resident is Karl Marx whose Lane, a Grade 1 listed building that grave on the East Cemetery has become originally opened in 1663. a pilgrimage site of sorts for budding Marxists everywhere. Divided up in two The best way to experience this historic as East and West, the West Cemetery is theatre is to actually see a performance available only if you pay for a guided tour, there and take in the atmosphere. Perhaps, while the East Cemetery does charge an if you are lucky, you may also bump into entrance fee of £4.00 but visitors have the a ghost with the theatre being famous for option of roaming the site freely.

25 Just Like The Movies Marie Claire Making a movie based on existing intellectual property, Me Before You, Fantastic Beasts, which has proven that it has The Light Between Oceans, The what it takes to attract large Girl on the Train… these are audiences just makes financial just a handful of the book-to- sense. And the ‘intellectual screen adaptations that have property’ doesn’t even have to been released, or are coming be a book – it can simply be out, this year alone. Every year, characters from a book in a new it seems like more and more configuration. Spoiler alert, films and television series based but in the last Bridget Jones on bestselling novels or book book, the stoic but tender series are being produced. But Mark Darcy, played by Colin while the strange magic of the Firth in the films, was killed bestseller is undeniable – after off. In the recently-released all, it is a bestseller – is there Bridget Jones’ Baby, he’s alive any way to guarantee that the and well, and doing his best to movie product will translate work out whether it was he or well on screen, pleasing fans Patrick Dempsey who fathered of the written canon while Bridget’s baby. Needless to drawing in an audience that say, the film has been a hit. is unfamiliar with the source Despite the popularity of material and making the story Helen Fielding’s books, movie engaging? In other words, Bridget – like movie James why is Hollywood leaning so Bond and movie Sherlock heavily on the bestselling title Holmes – has catapulted out industry? of her printed counterpart’s reach and eclipsed her. The most obvious reason is financial, but there are several And it’s easy to see how book layers to that. First of all, adaptations translate into big making a blockbuster is wildly money. First of all, there’s expensive. A conservative the pure, unadulterated love estimate is that a film with a for a book that makes you global audience will cost $200 buy sequels, merchandise, million to make and another and tickets to see the film. $50-$100 million to market. But second, there’s also 26 the curiosity factor, the (Or don’t, depending on how urge to see how a story you much time you have to spend know will be played out on someone called Strong on a different medium. In Belwas.) Furthermore, fan Theory of Adaptation (2006), culture these days has become Linda Hutcheon argues that much more sophisticated adaptations are appealing and complex, and ardent because they mix repetition booklovers have countless and difference, blending outlets to realise their vision the familiar with the novel. beyond the books through “Like ritual, this kind of different mediums. Being repetition brings comfort, a presented with a big-budget fuller understanding, and the product that is far from the confidence that comes with imagined object can be quite the sense of knowing what is disappointing. But you know about to happen next.” Fans what? People will still go to see of the book will flock to the it, even if the reviews online cinema in droves because the are scathing. That’s the power film adaptation gives them of curiosity for you. For studio the opportunity to have the executives, it’s a win-win. fantasies that they created in their imagination realised on The bottom line is the bottom screen in a more tangible way, line. The book that inspired through the prism of someone the film is something that is else’s vision. dear and nuanced and special to many of its original fans, Of course, there’s also the but the screen version will be flipside of this, which is a different, even if it’s as faithful screen adaptation of a beloved as it can be to text, and that’s book that infuriates fans who okay. As Jaime Wolf wrote in loved it before it went to the New York Times Magazine Hollywood. There are many in 1998, to the blockbuster reasons why this can happen industry, a script “is far less – a beloved character can a literary or an imaginative have their personality or their undertaking than it is a storyline warped to make it business plan for a start-up fit into a two-hour onscreen company that requires some romp, certain elements of $70 million to $100 million the book that made the book in initial capitalisation.” come to life for the readers are And sometimes that start-up left out for the sake of brevity, company just needs the names budget, or simply because and faces of your favourite CGI doesn’t always match up characters to get off the to the limits of imagination, ground. It’s not personal – it’s and so on. Just ask fans of the showbiz. A Song of Ice and Fire books. 27 Women Unmasked: Sexism in the Media Alice Dewing shortlist. Twenty years on, the prevailing success of this prize demonstrates that A quick search of ‘women’s fiction’ brings just because an author is a woman, it does up a confusing and vague definition of not mean the quality of her literature is the term: sometimes described as fiction any less. In fact, Kate Mosse has reported written by women, sometimes for women, that sales figures of the winning titles beat and sometimes a work that ‘exemplifies that of any other prize. It’s well known themes or ideas perceived to be of that women are the primary consumers of interest to women’ (Oxford Dictionary). books – reading, buying and writing more Regardless of which you choose to use novels then men, starting more book clubs though, it is evident that having a vagina and attending more libraries, yet they are still very much ‘matters’ in the context of still treated as a minority and subordinate publishing and the media. within the literary establishment.

In a blog post entitled ‘Books about If literary editors and book reviewers women don't win big awards: some data’ (unlike film and theatre critics) are Nicola Griffiths pointed out: allowed to pick-and-choose the types of novels they would like to read, then "Women’s voices are not being heard. surely their media outlets reflect a Women are more than half our culture, channelled and biased personal taste. if half the adults in our culture have no If you scan through review coverage in voice, half the world’s experience is not most broadsheet national print media, being attended to, learnt from, or built reviews are predominantly literary, and upon. Humanity is only half what we do not reflect the more commercial titles could be." which are bringing in the big bucks for publishers – a huge proportion of which Perhaps part of this problem stems from are by, and ‘for’ women. For these the way we package and market books reasons, the representation of female by women. If we continue to produce authors in the media continues to act as ‘women’s fiction’ with pink and sparkly an echo chamber with the same opinions jackets; publicising it to a predominantly circulating in the same literary circles. female readership – surely we’re limiting access to a whole proportion of the Perhaps this echo-chamber is the reason market whilst assuming that male readers that, despite the leaps and bounds the aren’t interested in issues surrounding equality of women has come in wider femininity and women’s issues. society, big brand authors such as J.K Rowling, Val McDermid and SJ Watson In the mid-nineties, Kate Mosse continue to publish under pseudonyms co-founded the Bailey’s Women’s Prize for to give the quality of their writing the fiction as a response to an all-male Booker place it deserves – a place in a world still 28 dominated by the masculine. The recent ‘unveiling’ Ferrante was that she is the furor surrounding the ‘unmasking’ of wife of Napoleon writer Domenico Elena Ferrante is a prime example of the Starnone – placing her subordinate to media’s need to define and pigeonhole her husband’s literary presence. Why female authors. Arguably the most famous must a female writer pay for her success living Italian writer, Ferrante had decided and relinquish her choice to remain apart to preserve her identity, in order to from media speculation? 'protect [her] writing' (Sydney Morning Herald). In a tradition similar to that of In many ways, it’s appalling that there is Jane Austen, who published her novels still a necessity for a women’s only prize anonymously, Ferrante has argued that to exist – but in others, it is wonderful she wished to 'concentrate exclusively, for these authors of great skill to have a and with complete freedom on writing platform on which to gain traction within and its strategies' (The Guardian). society for the quality of their literature Why then, did Claudio Getti, set out to alone. Until our industry, the media 'uncover a lie' – and expose Ferrante’s and society as a whole can readdress the personal life? The answer, say many, methods in which we approach fiction including Jeanette Winterson, is sexism – written by women – and recognize that 'a form of stalking and sexual violation… a huge proportion of that literature is and a compliance with a tradition of male dealing with the masculine condition as reviewers that accomplished authors well as the feminine – we must champion must be masculine'. In fact, one of the those who, like Ferrante, place emphasis first things Gatti referenced in his article on literary merit as a genderless entity.

29 Chair’s Column

At the SYP we have No matter which SYP branch you call always worked and your home, I hope to see you all at this always will work year’s London conference, soaking up to make you, our all the amazing speakers and guests we members, realise have with us in our fabulous seminars and your true potential, brand new marketplace where you have your USP and your the opportunity to see the real breadth dreams (well, within of our social and diverse industry. JUMP the publishing IN! It’s the time to be brave, reach out realm anyway). and take the initiative. Ask your burning We are keen that questions, attempt to grow your business everyone, no matter who we are, where card and meet lots of peers who we come from or where we want to go, have their own stories to tell. Who knows can know that anything is possible if what might happen! you are equipped with the knowledge and the know-how to make it happen. Look out for us in our fabulous SYP I think you can see where this is going, t-shirts on the day and say hello! But most but it is because of our dedication to this of all – have lots and lots of fun! cause that I am exited to be writing this column in this year’s conference edition Zara Markland of Inprint, as it focuses on what makes a bestseller and pivotally, how you can make yourself a ‘bestseller’ too.

It has never been a better time to focus on your personal goals and what you bring to the team, as publishing continues to grow, develop and fuse with new industries and technologies. Across the country our branch committees have been hard at work over the summer bringing you key debates to ponder and peruse, from live narrative in Scotland, to networking master classes in Oxford and start-up get-togethers in both Northern England and Dublin, as our new branches really branch out. We have also just enjoyed Frankfurt book fair where our sister branch “Junge Verlagsmenschen” had a successful time with it’s young publishers and hosted a successful FBF party! 30 Conference Where have you come What do from? Conversation you do? Starters Have you Thinking about striking up a quick convo been to the with that fellow aspiring publisher sitting next to you? Well, look no further. Here’s conference a handy list of conversation starters, before? guaranteed to break those awkward silences. These questions can be applied to any networking situation; you’re looking Radiohead to get into publishing, so trust us, there or Carly Rae will be lots of opportunities to network! Did you see Jepson? Hachette Hawk’s last tweet? Outrageous!

Have you seen any Would you celebrities in London rather be Harry yet? I once saw (insert Potter or Father name of celebrity) Are you Christmas? on the (insert public going to the transport). after party? Elephant and Castle Wow, I really roundabout is so like your shoes. What’s been the scenic; don’t you Where are they most interesting think? from? talk you’ve seen today? What are you reading at the Are you on moment? Twitter?

Have you been to any other What books did Did you think the SYP events? father was Mark or you get in your Jack? tote bag?

31 Conference Bingo

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32 www.thesyp.org.uk November 2016 Issue 151