Your Book Is Written. Now What?
There's a moment that almost every author I work with experiences. There's a rush of relief, a sense of achievement, and then, usually quite quickly, a question they weren't entirely prepared for.
What happens now?
It's one of the biggest misconceptions about publishing. The writing is the visible part, so it's natural to assume that finishing it means you're nearly done. In reality, finishing the manuscript means you're ready to start
Working With an Indie Publisher
Most people assume that working with an independent publisher means trading credibility for control, and that the price of doing things differently is doing them with less support. The reality is almost exactly the opposite, and the authors who've been through both tend to say so.
What Author Care Should Actually Look Like
Author care shouldn't stop at the advance and the edit. It means preparing someone for the trolling, the family fallout and the litigation risk that can follow a book into the world, not scrambling to react once it's already happened.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Sales
How much does the cover really matter to the reader? Industry stats will tell you, they mean everything, because that’s what’s selling titles. This week I’ve battled with creating my own.
The Hardback Debate Misses the Point
A row in the Guardian this week saw journalist Larry Ryan calling for the death of the hardback, and his readers responding with the kind of fierce defence usually reserved for the monarchy. As a publisher who produces hardbacks regularly, I think both sides are missing the point, and the more interesting question is the one nobody is asking.
World Book Week - Why Books Still Matter More Than Ever
World Book Week is a reminder that books still carry cultural and intellectual weight in a world increasingly shaped by fast, disposable content. Whether developing a child’s imagination or strengthening an adult’s authority, reading remains one of the most powerful tools we have for shaping thought, confidence and influence.
What Actually Happens After You Finish Writing a Book
Finishing a manuscript is a major milestone, and it marks the point where publishing decisions begin to matter most. This stage shapes how a book communicates, holds its position, and reaches the readers it was written for.
When “Improvements” Make Things Worse
When big tech says it is making things better, it rarely asks who those changes are really for. Too often, publishers and creators discover the consequences only after control over their own work has already been taken away.
What Does Your Book Do?
Fifteen years in publishing has taught me how to recognise a book that truly carries weight, and how to shape it so it speaks for its author long before they ever enter the room. For busy people, a well-made book becomes a quiet but powerful business ally, representing who you are, how you think, and why working with you makes sense.
Why I Will Always Champion Independent Publishing
Most people still think publishing is a choice between control or credibility, but that is no longer true. Independent publishing now offers a balanced, sustainable alternative that puts authors first.
Publishing Trends for 2026
Publishing isn’t reinventing itself, but the foundations are shifting in ways that matter. From cautious AI adoption to smarter data use and tighter author services, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of steady, practical change rather than dramatic reinvention.
The Three Biggest Mistakes Successful People Make When Planning a Book
Many successful people assume their expertise or life story is enough to carry a book, but readers only buy what gives them value. Knowing what makes your book different is the first step to creating something that stands out.
November’s Novel Moment: Celebrating Stories Big, Bold and Published
November isn’t only about word counts and writing challenges. It’s a time to celebrate powerful fiction, stories that challenge, provoke, and remind us what it means to be human.
What Comes After ‘Doing It All’? Whatever I Choose.
After years of juggling roles, I'm stepping back from the university to focus on what I’ve built, businesses that are growing, clients that excite me, and a life that’s mine on my terms. I’m still doing it all, just on my own clock.
Publishing In The News
Publishing is facing a fragile moment, between vanishing young readers, collapsing platforms, and the creep of AI posing as creativity. What we need now isn’t faster content, but deeper connection, and a recommitment to real storytelling.
Why Small Publishers Fail - And How to Fix It
Small publishers are the lifeblood of innovation in the book world. They take risks, nurture new voices, and often work with a level of passion the big players lost years ago. So why do so many of them burn out, fold, or just quietly disappear?
Yellowface, Publishing Politics, and Why I’m Not Playing the Game
I’ve just finished Yellowface by Rebecca Kuang - a book hailed as a razor-sharp takedown of the publishing industry. It’s been called bold, brave, and biting.
But here’s the thing: I didn’t think it was any of those things.
AI and Copyright: Who Owns AI-Generated Content?
The rise of AI-generated content has sparked one of the most pressing debates in the publishing world: who owns the rights to AI-created work?
What a Professional Publisher Should Offer You
If you’ve ever wondered what a publisher should actually do for you, you’re not alone. Many authors step into the publishing process with unclear expectations, sometimes expecting too much or too little.