Inpress Festival of Publishing 2023

Three Inpress publishers talk through the challenges and opportunities for independent publishers in today’s difficult climate.  What support is out there?  Who are the indie champions?  How can we support each other in our endeavours?  Who has an understanding of Tik Tok?!

 

Panelists: Jess Chandler - Prototype, Alice Curry - Lantana, Suzannah Evans - The Poetry Business

Host: Jane Pike - Inpress

 

Sam Deacon, Head of Content Acquisition will explain the concept of RedCards the app designed to promote stronger reading habits in potentially reluctant readers by transforming books into digital cards.  You can download the RedCards app on the App Store and Google Play.

 

Keywords and making the most of your metadata - Miles Poynton will help publishers unlock the potential of all the wonderful metadata stored in their systems. Some background to why this is valuable and a guide to best practice for the time-strapped independent publisher.

 

Three booksellers from our favourite London bookshops join us to discuss the dos and don'ts of  charming your local indie. Here to discuss the challenges facing booksellers and publishers alike and how we can best work together to solve them are

 

Panelists: Meera Ghanshamdas - Round Table Books, Antony Hurley - Burley Fisher, John Newman - Newham Books.  

Host: Rebecca Robinson

 

In the wake of George Floyd’s death and Black Lives Matter, many organisations wrote public pledges acknowledging the need to address deep rooted and historical racism in their industries and lives.  Have these been effective, do they still stand? Carolynn Bain from Afrori Books will help us examine our commitment to anti-racism and allyship.  She will give an introduction to anti-racism and creating an effective and action-driven pledge. 

 

What steps can independent publishers take to have a positive effect on the environment?  Are we pro-active enough and what help is out there to ensure we all progress on our journey for a more sustainable industry?  Three Inpress publishers share their experiences, insights and questions on the subject of the environment and sustainability in publishing.

 

Panelists: Sam Ruddock - Story Machine, Archna Sharma -  Neem Tree Press, Michael Watson - And Other Stories

Host: Sophie O’Neill - Inpress

 

 

Jess Chandler founded Prototype in 2019. She was a co-founder of Test Centre, which ran from 2011 to 2018, publishing innovative works of poetry and fiction. She also co-runs, with Gareth Evans, the imprint House Sparrow Press. She has worked as an editor at Reaktion Books, and used to work as a researcher and producer on factual television programmes. She was the Digital Editor of Poetry London for 6 years. 

 

Suzannah Evans is assistant editor for Sheffield-based indie publisher the Poetry Business, working on their New Poets' Prize, which includes mentoring and publication for younger poets. She is also a poet, published by Nine Arches Press, and she teaches creative writing.  

 

Alice Curry is the founder and CEO of children's publishing house and social enterprise, Lantana. A former lecturer, Alice holds a PhD in children’s literature, has published regularly in international journals and is a frequent keynote speaker at conferences across Europe. Passionate about entrepreneurship in publishing, Alice is committed to widening children's access to inclusive books by authors from under-represented groups and to minimising Lantana's carbon footprint. Alice was the 2017 winner of the Kim Scott Walwyn Prize for women in publishing.

 

Sam Deacon, Head of Content Acquisition – RedCards is an innovative new publishing platform which breaks down the barriers many people experience when it comes to reading on a regular basis. Encouraging stronger reading habits and promoting positive mental health.

Sam has over 10 years’ experience in PR and communications, much of which was spent in commercial publishing for both small independent publishers as well as various imprints of Penguin Random House. A key part of his remit is focused on establishing partnerships with publishers, authors and agents which will allow RedCards to host their titles in this unique and exciting format.

Miles Poynton is a publishing consultant, mentor and coach. He’s been working with Independent publishers for the past 4 years, developing strategies for business growth, including metadata enhancement.

Miles has a wealth of experience, leading the International and Digital sales team at Faber & Faber for 12 years, and before that directing UK trade sales at Little, Brown.