It’s a joy to be in touch with you all. It’s been such a busy summer, and I can’t believe that September is already on the horizon.

As we get ready for a busy Autumn - edits galore (I’ve worked on five manuscripts in the past fortnight alone?!), campaign plans for August and September lead titles for the list, and work on acquiring books for 2028 (just saying this feels illegal), what’s been great to see is all the opportunities coming in. I’m seeing more open submissions, writer prizes and new routes into publishing - from apprenticeships to trainee schemes. Exciting things ahead!

In this newsletter, you can expect the following - an introduction to the excellent opportunity that is the Bloomsbury Mentorship Programme (want to know more? email me!), insights on how a book offer works - and the usual - new opportunities, roles, submissions and must-reads.

Enjoy,

Mireille x

A heartfelt thank you to all paid subscribers. Your support truly means the world. By financially backing this Substack, you're valuing the time, research, and care that goes into every issue, and I’m so grateful. Don’t forget: your subscription includes five book or publishing-related queries a month, so if you’ve got a question on your mind, don’t hesitate to reach out — I’m here to help!

Read more

It’s a joy to be in your inboxes with more of what you readers love - new writer prizes and opportunities, the latest entry-level roles in publishing, and the articles you should be reading.

I’ll also be touching on The Bookseller’s Bullying Survey - why staff welfare remains an issue in the sector and food for thought after some damning findings.

Enjoy reading, Mireille x

open submissions 📧

Tiny Reparations Books

This incredible publishing house, set up by Phoebe Robinso, are on the lookout for unpublished works of fiction on August 5th. If you’re a writer who specialises in adult fiction in the commercial genre - specifically, works that celebrate identities, cultures ands settings not seen often enough in published novels, within immersive stories designed to entertain, this is for you. From thriller, mystery, suspense and spectulative fiction, to horror, grounded fantasy, romance and historical fiction, get applying!

Apply here

Verve Books

The wonderful folk at Verve Books are getting ready to open their submissions this week, so get dusting off your manuscripts! From the 27th, Verve will be accepting submissions. If you’re keen to have your work published by an independent specialising in page-turning, diverse and original writing, here’s your choice. Follow their IG for the latest news.

Apply here

writer opportunities 🖊

Bloomsbury Academic Writing Fellowship

Bloomsbury & Writers&Artists have announced the return of the Bloomsbury Academic Writing Fellowship, which is aimed at supporting early career academics to get their book idea into a form that’s ready for publication. If you’re an up-and-coming author and researcher who identifies as Black, Asian or Ethnically Diverse, this is for you. You’ll gain a package of creative support throughout the year, £1,000 of financial support, practical resources, £250 worth of books from Bloomsbury Academic, as well as event and networking opportunities. Get applying! Open from the 1st July to the 1st August.

Submit here

Joffe Books 2026 Prize

A wonderful opportunity here as Joffe Books have opened submissions for their 2026 Prize, open to talented writers of colour. If you’re an aspiring author in the crime genre - whether police procedural to domestic suspense - get sending your 10,000 words off, and you might be in with a chance of landing a £25k Audible audiobook contract, as well as a £1,000 cash payment and a two-year membership to the Society of Authors. Applications open now until the 30th September.

Submit here

HW Fisher novel-writing scholarship for writers with low income

The first of a few brilliant opportunities through Creative Access here. This first one, headed up by the fantastic Curtis Brown Creative, is sponsored by HW Fisher. CBC are giving away a free place on the three-month Writing Your Novel course, where you’ll have the chance to secure in-person teaching and workshopping, one-to-one tutorials, and garner advice from renowned authors and literary agents. You must be low-income to apply here - see the details on the application page for more! Apply by end of day!

Apply here

The Jen Eve Taylor novel-writing scholarship for disabled writers

Another brilliant opportunity here, also led by CBC. The Jen Eve Taylor Prize is for Disabled Writers, and again, there’s the chance to land a free spot on a three-month online course. This prize was set up in memory of Jen Eve Taylor, a musician, writer and blogger who succeeded in self-publishing her debut novel before she passed from cancer in 2024. It’s a beautiful legacy project, and much like the opportunity above, allows for writers to hone their craft and make progress. Apply on the website and see more details on the site - applications close at the end of the day!

Apply here

new entry-level publishing roles 📌

Commercial Assistant, Bookouture

If you’re keen to get into the world of digital publishing, this fantastic entry-level job has popped up at Bookouture, Hachette’s digital publisher of bestselling commercial fiction. In this role, you’ll be working on digital promotions, merchandising submissions and much more.

Deadline: 7th August

Apply here

Online Operations Assistant, Bonnier

If you’re keen on Sales and Operations, this entry-level role at Bonnier might be one for you. With an impressive starting salary of nearly £29,000, this role involves supporting the day-to-day operational management, ensuring excellent stock availability and tackling issues that may arise.

Deadline: 7th August

Apply here

Publicity Assistant - Adult Trade, Bonnier

Another great entry-level from Bonnier here, this time as Publicity Assistant in their Adult Trade team. If you’re keen on working across a broad range of genres, you’re a self-starter and you love being a team player, this role is your place to shine. Get applying!

Deadline: 30th July

Apply here

The Big Bullying Issue

If you haven’t read The Bookseller’s report on their Bullying Survey, I highly recommend reading. Published last week, The Bookseller reported on their investigation into bullying in the book trade, which brought up many an issue - from staff welfare and how the sector responds, the culture of denial within some businesses, lack of accountability from both individuals and institutions, and how we might go about changing things.

The results were damning - with both anonymous and public declarations of bullying, some harrowing. Out of all respondents, a shocking 69% reported being bullied in their workplace. It’s a statistic that’s appalling, and that I think that all of us in publishing have a duty to respond to.

Now, we know the issue of bullying isn’t one that’s a publishing problem alone. With immense financial pressures, global unrest and hiking prices around the globe, the working world is changing. It feels like there’s more pressure than ever to break even, let alone make a profit, and that fear of scarcity is trickling down, making workplaces undoubtedly feel more intense and stressful, no matter the industry.

What is shocking is that publishing is an industry that prides itself on its warm, positive and progressive ways of working. This report shows nothing could be further from the truth - and employees are paying the price, physically and mentally.

As someone who has lost many a colleague and friend to the insidious type of bullying in publishing - that often is hard to describe or place - this quote from Rebecca Gray sums it up:

Gray summarised her experience as follows: “That pattern of, it’s almost like love bombing... of showering you with attention, showering you with praise, telling you explicitly that you are one of the best, not just in the company, but in the industry, really, really systematically and repeatedly making you feel wonderful and amazing, and then withdrawing that, seemingly on a whim, and then shutting you out and telling you either explicitly or sort of through back channels that actually, no, you’re not very good at your job. And you really fucked that one up, didn’t you? And just destroying your confidence – absolutely destroying it, for apparently no reason – is bullying, I think. It’s picking you up and then just hurling you to the ground again. I don’t know another word for it.”

Her story is resonant for so many of us - wowed into accepting positions and roles, often not given the right support or guidance, mismanaged and then blamed for failures - which often are not our own. This story rings true for so many friends of mine who have, for the majority, left the industry for their peace of mind.

Racism also plays a part in publishing’s culture of bullying - at least three Black former colleagues (that I know of) were unduly forced into signing NDAs, often with financial packages attached. Rather than wanting to go down a legal route, they are now legally silenced, bound to not speak a word about the bullying they survived for the sack of financial survival. Many have, again, left the industry. What remains most foul about this is that many were “rising stars”, winning accolades and achievements left, right and centre. Despite this, many have experienced the same issues of targeted bullying, belittling and much more. This quote proves pertinent:

There were also dozens of reports of racism and disability discrimination, with most saying their reporting to HR resulted in no action. Race or racism was mentioned by 38 respondents. One said of their Big Four experience: “Extreme gaslighting. Targeted bullying and belittling in public (editorial meetings) and private settings (performance review). Racially motivated – please look into the phrase ‘pet to threat’ – as this is a play-by-play of what happened to me. The publisher offered mediation which only reinforced the power imbalance, and didn’t stop the publisher’s behaviour... [They] pick a victim and prey on them.

“Pet to threat” is a workplace dynamic, first coined by University of Georgia researcher Dr Kecia Thomas, in which Black women are supported and mentored by their – usually white – managers early in their careers, but the managers’ attitudes change for the worse when these young women become more competent and confident as they progress in a company. One respondent wrote in the survey: “I have also experienced issues around vocalising staff being racist to other staff members, particularly instances of white women bullying my Black female colleagues. Wherever I have raised issues with HR, I am told the issue will be dealt with and it never is.”

It’s no surprise that the industry is becoming even less diverse, with Black and Asian employees leaving en masse.

With reports around sexual harassment, a culture of silence with “difficult” personalities, who often are well-connected, influential and powerful, but for whom, many employees’ lives are made a misery, and reputation, connections and influence often mattering more than behaviour and character, it’s no surprise that we’ve arrived at this place.

So, what do we do?

Firstly, it’s essential that publishers recognise this in the first place. We must be able to name the issue before we tackle it. Individually, publishers must undertake surveys - and listen to their staff when they say there’s a problem.

From here, we must see tangible change. No promises to listen, learn and do better - if 2020 told us anything, it’s that those words were futile. Companies must act diligently - rooting out bullying and harassment culture, and hold those perpetrators responsible. We must create safe spaces for those who disclose, rather than turning around and naming those as the troublemakers or “difficult individuals”. We must create a culture where bullies are not welcome, rightly reprimanded and appropriately punished. Only then can we move forward.

The Bookseller article can be read here.

The Printing Charity’s confidential, free helpline provides emotional support on 0333 212 3534.

To contribute to further articles on this issue, please contact heloise.wood@thebookseller.com

I’ll be back mid-month with another newsletter for you paid subscribers. For those others, I’ll be back in September! Thanks for reading x

I’m so pleased to be back in your inboxes. I hope you’ve all been surviving the blistering heat (it’s all a bit too much, isn’t it?!), and finding lots of things to bring you joy.

At present, I’m gearing up for the publication of two of Tonic’s biggest two titles for 2026 - The Rejection Cure, a guide to overcoming the fear of rejection and how it might just transform your life, by viral content creator, Sophie Jones - and Soft Life by Sunday Times bestseller - all about how we live a softer and more easeful life in a manic world. I’m looking forward to seeing how both make a splash, and I’ll be doing a giveaway closer to the time.

In the meantime, in this newsletter, you can expect the following - oodles of new opportunities (many of which are coming via the brilliant Creative Access), as well as insights on what editors are actually looking for - and the latest publishing roles.

Enjoy reading,

Mireille x

A heartfelt thank you to all paid subscribers. Your support truly means the world. By financially backing this Substack, you're valuing the time, research, and care that goes into every issue, and I’m so grateful. Don’t forget: your subscription includes five book or publishing-related queries a month, so if you’ve got a question on your mind, don’t hesitate to reach out — I’m here to help!

Read more

It’s a joy to be in your inboxes with more of what you readers love - new writer prizes and opportunities, the latest entry-level roles in publishing, and the articles you should be reading.

Alongside this, I’m delighted to share the exciting new opening of Bloomsbury’s Apprenticeships. In partnership with LDN Apprenticeships. Dedicated to welcoming a host of non-graduate talent into the industry, this is a great opportunity for school-leavers. If you’re interested, apply - or know someone who’s relevant, send this their way!

Enjoy reading, Mireille x

Apprenticeships 📌 - Closing 3rd July

Bloomsbury has opened up its doors again to welcome apprentices in, to gain experience over a 15-month apprenticeship. Starting in September 2026, this is a great opportunity for school leavers who are keen to get started in the working world. I’ve had the privilege of working with three wonderful apprentices during my time at Bloomsbury, one of whom is now Editorial Assistant within the team I work in at Bloomsbury. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain hands-on experience and kickstart a publishing career. Here’s the selection of opportunities if you’re keen:

Academic Editorial Apprentice - Classics, Drama & Literature

You’ll be working in the Academic division, and support the team working on Theatre Studies, The Arden Shakespeare, Literary Studies and Classical Studies - and the role will include doing tasks like prepping contracts, sending out copies, maintaining book files and records, clearing permissions and general admin.

Apply here

Academic Editorial Apprentice - Humanities & Social Sciences

Another one in the Academic division, but this role will involve supporting the team across History, Philosophy, Education and Linguistics, with tasks such as commissioning peer reviews and securing endorsements for titles, dealing with inquiries, database management and organising reports, among other duties.

Apply here

Academic Marketing Apprentice

And last, but not least, we have a fantastic role within the Marketing team in the Academic division. These books cater to the entire academic community, from GCSE and A-Level students, to university lecturers and researchers. Your role will involve getting involved in producing marketing materials, working on briefs with marketing and sales teams, updating the website and log, creating social content across a range of platforms and event admin, among other tasks.

Apply here

Entry-level roles 📌

Data & Operations Assistant, Bookouture

If you’re keen to get into the world of digital publishing, this fantastic entry-level job has popped up at Bookouture, Hachette’s digital publisher of bestselling commercial fiction. In this role, you’ll be working on maintaining and developing various relational databases. If you see yourself as a strong problem-solver, you’re fairly performance-minded and detail-oriented, and you have a computer science background, this is for you!

Deadline: 11th July

Apply here

Editorial Assistant, Macmillan Children’s Books

The lovely folk at MCB are hiring an Editorial Assistant to work on the full range of publishing by bestselling author Julia Donaldson, including picture books, novelty, activity, gift and poetry. This role involves providing team support through admin and editorial tasks, coordinating meetings, managing databases, undertaking research, and much more.

Deadline: 5th July

Apply here

Writer opportunities ✨

paid subscribers get a first look!

Bloomsbury Academic Writing Fellowship

Bloomsbury & Writers&Artists have announced the return of the Bloomsbury Academic Writing Fellowship, which is aimed at supporting early career academics to get their book idea into a form that’s ready for publication. If you’re an up-and-coming author and researcher who identifies as Black, Asian or Ethnically Diverse, this is for you. You’ll gain a package of creative support throughout the year, £1,000 of financial support, practical resources, £250 worth of books from Bloomsbury Academic, as well as event and networking opportunities. Get applying! Open from the 1st July to the 1st August.

Submit here

Joffe Books 2026 Prize

A wonderful opportunity here as Joffe Books have opened submissions for their 2026 Prize, open to talented writers of colour. If you’re an aspiring author in the crime genre - whether police procedural to domestic suspense - get sending your 10,000 words off, and you might be in with a chance of landing a £25k Audible audiobook contract, as well as a £1,000 cash payment and a two-year membership to the Society of Authors. Applications open now until the 30th September.

Submit here

The Fab 2026 Prize

Another recently launched prize, this time from Faber who are on the lookout for undiscovered writers and illustrators of colour. For a chance to win £1,5000, a place on the online Faber Academy writing course, an annual membership to The Writer’s Salon, and shadowing opportunities, get sending your portfolio over.

Submit here

what you should be reading 🗞️

Stop Telling Authors to “Build a Platform”

This is a great article from Mo Fanning, author of Lisa Doyle is Absolutely Fine, on the issues with asking authors to build a platform - and why the advice given needs a rewrite amongst shifting algorithms, readers taking digital detoxes, and audiences finding books and authors through different mediums - from podcasts to meeting booksellers in-person. A worthy read!

Read here

The barriers for diverse voices remain higher than others

A wonderful article from Bengono Bessala, a fabulous agent and one who I am excited to be working with on a book we’re publishing on Tonic for September 2027 - more on that to come! This wonderful article looks at the success of Marcia Hutchinson, the author who, after 54 rejections, landed a book deal with Cassava Press and was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction. It’s a much-needed look at the way the publishing industry is going (regressing!) - and a call for us to consider the work we do, and what we can do to shift the worrying tide.

Read here

I’ll be back in two weeks with another newsletter for you paid subscribers. For those others, I’ll be back in July! Thanks for reading x

I’m delighted to be back in your inboxes, and I’m writing this from sunny Italy where I’m spending the week - across Fano and Rimini, respectively. It’s been a whopping thirteen months since I’ve been away from the UK, and I must say that sun, gelato and time with my family always revives me.

Whilst I’m trying not to work away too much, I’m thoroughly enjoying working on a few fun projects - namely a sensitivity read on a book about smells, which is fascinating given one of my stays here is in a hotel which has a gorgeously scented breakout area. At the same time, I’m also working on a exciting project - a women’s empowerment course for a globally recognised fitness instructor and advocate for women’s health, which is stretching my brain in the best way.

When it comes to all things Tonic, two of my books are being announced whilst away - one of which is the wonderful The Rejection Cure by Sophie Jones, a rejection therapy queen! You can see her talk about it here. Elsewhere, the wonderful Toni Tone will be announcing her fantastic new book, Soft Life. Keep an eye on her IG to hear more.

Now, to the meat and bones of this newsletter. Expect the usual - the latest jobs in publishing for entry-level and mid-level, new writer opportunities, must-read articles - and some insights on what happens when your agent submits - more info from The Literary Consultancy’s Online Mentoring Day I did earlier in the year.

Enjoy reading, Mireille x

A heartfelt thank you to all paid subscribers. Your support truly means the world. By financially backing this Substack, you're valuing the time, research, and care that goes into every issue, and I’m so grateful. Don’t forget: your subscription includes five book or publishing-related queries a month, so if you’ve got a question on your mind, don’t hesitate to reach out — I’m here to help!

Read more

Happy June!

It’s a joy to be back in your inboxes after a busy few period.

If you didn’t yet read last week’s newsletter - dedicated to the wonderful late, great, Sareeta Domingo, who passed away last year, who’s legacy prize has just been announced, you can re-read here.

This week’s newsletter has all the usual - new entry-level roles in the industry, my must-read articles for the month and the latest writer opportunities, of which there seem to be many this month!

Enjoy reading, Mireille x

entry-level roles + publishing opportunities 📌

The Felicity Bryan Publishing Mentorship Scheme

Applications are now open for this wonderful opportunity, created in honour of the pre-eminent literary agent Felicity Bryan, who passed away in June 2020. This scheme is aimed at anyone from an underrepresented background who is interested in publishing. You’ll be paid the Oxford Living Wage for the duration of the mentorship and there will be a stipend to cover accomodation costs. A three-month internship, you’ll gain experience at FBA in Oxford, as well as industry placements at partner orgs, which include publishing houses, scouting agencies and more.

Deadline: 3rd July

Apply here

Editorial Assistant (Non-Fiction and Picture Books), Nosy Crow

My lovely publishers - who will be publishing my next children’s book, all about Caribbean history, are seeking a wonderful Editorial Assistant to join their non-fiction and picture books team (so you might end up working on my book!). You’ll be involved with admin and editorial tasks, and have the opportunity to work with big brands like the National Trust and the University of Cambridge!

Deadline: 21st June

Apply here

Commercial Assistant, Bookouture, Hachette

A great opportunity to work for one of the most successful publishers of bestselling commercial fiction here. Bookouture have created incredible author brands, and are at the forefront of dynamic publishing. If you’re keen to join the team with digital promotions, working on promotions and much more, this is a fantastic opportunity.

Deadline: 22nd June

Apply here

the latest writer prizes ✨

The Sareeta Domingo Prize

I shared this last week, but in case you missed, this wonderful prize was set up in the name of the late, great, Sareeta Domingo, who passed away last year. The prize is being run in partnership with Sareeta’s family, as well as the bestselling author, Dorothy Koomson, a dear friend of Sareeta’s, the folk at Jacaranda Books - who worked with Sareeta, and David Higham Associates, who Sareeta was represented by. It will be run as part of Hachette UK’s The Future Bookshelf Scheme.

The prize is a free-to-enter annual writing prize created to discover and support unpublished writers from Black and Global Majority backgrounds, and aims to focus on both long-term impact, as well as removing barriers to access - going beyond a traditional competition model.

The winner will receive £2,500 as well as 12 months of writing coaching from Dorothy Koomson, a place on the Goldsboro Writing Academy Write Your Novel With Us course, an offer of literary representation from literary agency, David Higham Associates, and the chance to be published by Orion (as well as a copy of each of the four titles published on Sareeta’s List at Jacaranda Books).

Submit here

4thWrite Short Story Prize 2026

Now in its tenth year, The 4thWrite Short Story Prize has launched, and the Guardian and 4th Estate are on the lookout for the next big literary name. Dedicated to writers of colour, you’ll have the chance to win £1,000, a one-day publishing workshop at 4th Estate, and have your story published on the Guardian website. Previous winners include big names like Sunday Times bestseller, Bolu Babalola, as well as Guy Gunaratne, Kasim Ali, Gurnaik Johal and Yan F. Zhang. Get entering - who knows, maybe you’ll be the next voice of a generation!

Submit here

what you should be reading 🗞️

The Importance of Boundaries (Bookseller)

This is a great article by Sabah Khan, Publicity Director of Simon & Schuster UK, talking all about the world of comms, and how the lines are blurring when it comes to boundaries. It’s a fantastic read, and one that offers a lot of insight into an area of the business that’s often misunderstood. The world of a publicist is often incredibly busy, and this article both gives a window into the world, as well as why boundaries are so important for our publicists.

Read here

Five Totally Plausible Reading Trends To Watch Out For This Summer (Lit Hub)

One thing about me - I love an unhinged article - and I love the coining of new phrases to describe genres, trends and vibes. This article by Brittany Allen will introduce you to the world of ‘theory-pilling’, the resurgence of horror (I can’t wait to watch Widow’s Bay, and I am buzzing to see what kind of Backrooms and Obsession-esque books we’ll see), the shift in what POV preferences we have, and the return of David Foster Wallace (who I’ve not yet read!) - and the era of the Mafia Wife (goodbye, trad-wife!). Mafia Wife Summer, let’s go.

Read here

Read Caribbean Month 📖

It’s READ CARIBBEAN month once again, and not much has changed since last year. We still continue to see the underrepresentation of Caribbean writers and literature are, in the publishing industry. At a time when publishers are anxious about their bottom lines - namely, because people are reading less and therefore the volume of book sales is decreasing - there seems to be fewer opportunities, and this is having a knock-on effect to the diversity of publishing’s output.

As someone who’s been working on a book all about Caribbean history since 2021 - which will be published in 2027 by Nosy Crow - I’m passionate about sharing the range of our writers and literature. From picture books to middle grade reads to children’s non-fiction, through to poetry, novels, cookery and fantasy, Caribbean literature is rich and should be recognised.

Here are my recommended reads from across all genres that showcase the brilliance of the Caribbean - check them out!

FICTION: One of my favourite recent reads, by the award-winning writer, Caryl Phillips, Another Man in the Street follows Victor ‘Lucky’ Johnson', who arrives in London from St Kitts, with dreams of becoming a journalist, and what follows, from his struggles, to a growing disillusionment with the lonely city, and all of his own complexities. An utterly gorgeous novel.

COOKERY: From brothers Craig and Shaun McAnuff, otherwise known as Original Flava, check out their newest title, Easy Caribbean, - all about authentic Caribbean cooking, but done easy. Out onAugust 27th, so pre-order now!

MIDDLE GRADE: Aimed at readers between Years 1 and 9, Windrush Child is a wonderful read - and one I revisit even now. By the late, great Benjamin Zephaniah, it follows the story of Leonard, who moves from Jamaica to the UK, and shines a light on what it might have been like to be a child of the Windrush generation.

YA: Another title from one of our late greats. Alex Wheatle’s Cane Warriors is an incredible book - and one that brings to life the true story of Tacky’s War in Jamaica during the time of the slave trade, following the character of Moa, a 14-year-old who goes on to be a ‘cane warrior’, fighting for the freedom of all enslaved people in the nearby plantations.

PICTURE BOOKS: I worked as a sensitivity reader on educational resources published alongside this read, and fell in love with the story. Granny Came Here on the Empire Windrush tells the brilliant story of Ava, a young girl who finds out about her grandmother’s journey to England during the Windrush era. Inspirational and heartfelt, it’s a powerful read.

I’ll be back in two weeks with another newsletter for you paid subscribers. For those others, I’ll be back in July! Thanks for reading x

This is a special newsletter to start your week. I’ll be in your inboxes next Monday (a little delayed, so apologies) with the June newsletter, full of my usual opportunities, roles and must-reads, but this newsletter is a special mention.

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the launch of The Sareeta Domingo Prize, in memory of the late, great, Sareeta Domingo, who passed away last year.

For an introduction to Sareeta and the legacy she left, she began her career at Harlequin Mills & Boon, before moving to Trapeze (an imprint of Orion), as Editorial Director in 2022, where she published authors like Jendella Benson and Stephanie Yeboah. She joined the Jacaranda Books team as Publishing Director in May 2025, where she published an array of bold and thought-provoking commercial fiction by underrepresented writers (which you can view here).

Alongside being a publishing powerhouse, Sareeta was an incredible author - her novels included The Nearness of You, republished as The Three Of Us, If I Don’t Have You and Possibility, and she created, edited and contributed to a gorgeous collection of short love stories written by women of colour, in the anthology, Who’s Loving You?. I highly recommend reading all - I am just starting Possibility now.

This wasn’t all - Sareeta also published books for young adults with Hachette Children’s Books, as well as numerous erotic short stories with Pavilion Books, and her journalism was featured in publications including Black Ballad, gal-dem and Stylist.

The year before she passed away, Sareeta joined the Re-Awaken literary brunch, an event we organised with incubator and development programme, Babes In Development, dedicated to creating a space where Black women writers could feel reflected, seen and heard - and to learn from changemakers and experts in the industry. Sareeta offered invaluable guidance to these selected readers, and I feel honoured to have witnessed the brilliance of Sareeta in-person. She was, and will always be an inspiration to many of us - someone who was endlessly creative, a compassionate and generous advocate for others, committed to upholding excellence and a powerful storyteller in every way.

It goes without saying that Sareeta will forever be greatly missed.

Since her passing in September 2025, a prize has been launched to honour and remember Sareeta’s legacy. The prize is being run in partnership with Sareeta’s family, as well as the bestselling author, Dorothy Koomson, a dear friend of Sareeta’s, the folk at Jacaranda Books - who worked with Sareeta, and David Higham Associates, who Sareeta was represented by. It will be run as part of Hachette UK’s The Future Bookshelf Scheme.

The prize is a free-to-enter annual writing prize created to discover and support unpublished writers from Black and Global Majority backgrounds, and aims to focus on both long-term impact, as well as removing barriers to access - going beyond a traditional competition model.

The aim here is to nurture emerging talent through meaningful, sustained development, combining open submissions with workshops, industry insight and expert judging. Alongside the award itself, the initiative offers a comprehensive package of support, ranging from coaching and editorial guidance, to potential literary representation, helping writers build sustainable careers.

In the words of Dorothy Koomson, ‘Sareeta touched so many lives with her writing and her work. This award has been created to continue Sareeta’s legacy in discovering and supporting new voices by breaking down the barriers to publication that those from certain backgrounds face. I am really looking forward to seeing who we can discover and support through this prize.’

If you are - or know - a writer who is working on something bold, original and irresistible in fiction, this is the perfect prize. The submission criteria involves submitting 5,000 words of the novel (in-progress) and a full synopsis of the novel (up to 750 words).

The winner will receive £2,500 as well as 12 months of writing coaching from Dorothy Koomson, a place on the Goldsboro Writing Academy Write Your Novel With Us course, an offer of literary representation from literary agency, David Higham Associates, and the chance to be published by Orion (as well as a copy of each of the four titles published on Sareeta’s List at Jacaranda Books).

A highly commended entrant and shortlisted entrants will also receive editorial feedback, 1-2-1 consultation with literary agents, titles from Sareeta’s List, and editorial guidance.

I encourage all reading to share this - spread the word - or even enter yourself. Submissions open now and close on the 21st September 2026.

See all details here.

with love, mireille x

I’m delighted to be back in your inboxes. It’s been a busy time over at Tonic, where I’ve recently acquired two new titles for 2027, and I’m speedily working on ones publishing this year (how the hell is everything moving so quickly?!). I’m also nearing the end text stages of my children’s book, which will be out in ONE YEAR from now, eek! It feels intensely busy at the moment, but with lots of good things, so I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for a bit of rest over the summer months.

In this newsletter, you can expect to find insights on everything editorial and acquisitions - this is coming fresh from The Literary Consultancy’s Online Mentoring Day - which I participated in last month, alongside literary agent, Florence Rees. You can head down to the end of this newsletter to find out more. In the meantime, you can expect the typical: some exciting new writer opportunities - prizes galore! - and some new job roles.

Enjoy reading, Mireille x

A heartfelt thank you to all paid subscribers. Your support truly means the world. By financially backing this Substack, you're valuing the time, research, and care that goes into every issue, and I’m so grateful. Don’t forget: your subscription includes five book or publishing-related queries a month, so if you’ve got a question on your mind, don’t hesitate to reach out — I’m here to help!

Read more

Happy May!

We’re five months into 2026, which feels bonkers to write. A lot has changed over the past few weeks - and with local elections on the horizon, everything feels a little uncertain. Coupled with global economic instability, it’s all feeling a bit bleak. Unsurprisingly, this bleakness is bleeding into publishing, where only last week, it was reported that book volume sales hit the lowest point in six years. This follows a February report in The Times, which highlighted the crisis in non-fiction book sales. I’ll touch on how this feels as a non-fiction editorial director, at the end of this newsletter, but in the meantime, you can expect the usual - new opportunities, the latest jobs and the must-read articles for this month.

Enjoy reading,

Mireille x

the newest entry-level roles in publishing 📌

The Next Chapter Internship 2026

Hachette have just launched their Next Chapters Internship for 2026. If you’re looking to return to work after a break, or you want to change your career, this six-week, paid work experience placement may well be for you. It’s a great opportunity to see how a major publishing house functions, to get more clarity and insight into the industry, and learn about the different departments, and the roles they play in helping to get a book made. Applications close on the 18th May, so get on this quickly!

Apply here

Contracts Assistant, HarperCollins

If you’re looking for an easy entry into the world of publishing, HC are looking for a Contracts Assistant to join their busy team for three months. You’ll be responsible for drafting contracts, confidentiality agreements and reviewing contract request forms among other tasks - and it’s a good opportunity to get exposure to the industry, with opportunity and scope to progress.

Apply here

Website Administrator, Nosy Crow

The lovely indie children’s publishing company, Nosy Crow, are looking for a creative, motivated and organised website administrator to join their digital marketing team. It’s an exciting opportunity, and a great way of jumping into publishing.

Apply here

writer + illustrator prizes + submissions 📖

Paid subscribers have access to these opportunities first, so if you’re keen to be the first to know, sign up for fortnightly emails as a paid subscriber

The Emma Press

The wonderful folk at The Emma Press, an indie publisher based in Birmingham, are opening their submissions for essays and short-fiction. From the 11th May, through to the 17th May, you can submit your writing - and entries are accepted from anywhere in the world, so long as the work is written in, or translated into, English.

Note you can’t be agented, and authors can expect a small advance, but author copies and royalties are also included.

Submit here

We Need Diverse Books

One for the peeps who have books coming out in 2026/27! The fab peeps at We Need Diverse Books are on the lookout for adult romance writers with a debut novel coming out in the next two years - this can be through traditional publishing, indie publishing, or even self-published authors.

In partnership with AH2 Romance Collections, WNDB will offer fifteen marketing grants of up to $1200 each to support diverse adult romance books in promoting their debut novels. A fab opportunity for getting your book out there! Open to U.S. residents only!

Submit here

publishing’s six-year sales slump and how we get out of it 🧠

It’s Getting Harder to Spot AI in Contemporary Publishing. And That’s Very, Very Bad

This is a really timely article on the growing issue of the use of AI in books. As someone who’s increasingly been spotting AI titles popping up on Amazon - from the endless “natural remedies” books, to the slew of self-help titles that are clearly AI-generated, it’s a scary reality. This article delves into the systemic issues that are making it harder for editors and readers to distinguish what’s real and what’s AI - and how we might be able to tackle the issue.

Read here

Young, urban and male: who is reading translated fiction in the UK now?

A fab article from Paul Davies, on how the audience for translated fiction has shifted over the past ten years - and the wonderful boom we’ve seen in the genre over the past decade (in part thanks to the International Booker Prize!). It’s great to see the demand for this genre, and the diversity of readers in this space!

Read here

Tate and smile: the gallery’s publishing arm cheers up

Amidst the negative news around the decline in non-fiction book sales, this makes for a joyful read. One side of the book business that seems to be on the rise is the art corner - with books on this topic drawing in over £17 million. A special mention to Thames & Hudson, and Tate, who are experiencing growth - a positive picture at a time when non-fiction sales seem to be dwindling!

Read here

publishing’s six-year slump - what do we do now?

2026 has been a bit grim, hasn’t it? As I write this, it’s the day of the local elections, and I’m picturing a less-than-ideal result tomorrow (when this newsletter will land in your inbox). Over the past few months, we’ve seen a slew of bad news - political instability, civil unrest, fascism rearing its ugly head with even more gusto than before, rising prices across all areas, and a general sense of doom and gloom.

Coupled with the fact that we’re all becoming addicted to tech and AI is making us dumber by the day, it’s no surprise that the publishing industry is taking a hit. In February, The Times reported on the crisis in non-fiction book sales (something I’ve seen first-hand over the past near-decade of working in this are aof the market), and just last week, The Bookseller reported that the industry is facing the lowest point in book volume sales in six years. It doesn’t paint a positive picture.

It begs the question, how do we respond to this as publishers? There’s no easy fix - as we’ve touched on above, we can’t create huge change in attitudes and consumer behaviours, but what I do believe we can do is publish smarter. What’s true is that the trad ways of publishing are not working, and haven’t been for some time. So, we pivot. We look to find innovative ways of marketing (Harriman House’s genius choice to advertise books like The Psychology of Money through personal finance creators like Mia McGrath piqued my interest), we find new collaborative partners (like Lounge - the parent company of my favourite hangout spot, Pedro Lounge - teaming up with Simon & Schuster to launch a Coffee & Crime Book Club), we shift the way we publicise (just last Tuesday, I attended a sold-out event for one of my authors in which attendees paid £15 to do a community run and sit in on a panel on mental health, organised by healthy food restaurant, Atis, in which we sold more books in half an hour that we typically would in a couple of weeks) and we get more savvy about visibility, placement, positioning, messaging and strategy.

One such publication that I think is a masterclass in non-fiction publishing has to be Emma Grede’s Start With Yourself. Now, don’t get me wrong, Grede is associated with the Kardashians and has star power, but her success is as a result of sheer strategy between publisher and author. Grede worked with multiple PR firms to ensure no stone was left unturned when it came to her publicity campaign, and in the space of a day, I found Emma on Amol Rajan’s podcast, Radical, spotted her on The Oprah Podcast, doing a collab vid with Black Ballad and many more. Just these three PR lands cater to three entirely different audiences. Similarly, her marketing campaign was second to none, but again, this didn’t happen overnight. I started following Emma’s TikTok when she launched it and had a mere few followers. She made sure her content was consistent, and her messaging was already feeding into the book’s focus. When it comes to the book itself, the positioning of the package was spot-on: stylish, aesthetic but authoritative, and catering perfectly to what her audience would visually seek. And the (sometimes controversial) takes - there were so many here that people simply wanted to comment on, start a discourse over, or were keen to interrogate. Three hour mum? Your partner being one of the most important decisions when it comes to your financial success? Who wouldn’t want to read more?

This goes beyond Grede too. I came across the brilliant Mr G, who’s ADHD book for kids, has sold tons in the short time it’s been out. The key? Consistent posting across TikTok, where his smart publishers have made his book available at a cut-price on TikTok shop. The result? Over 10,000 copies sold on TikTok ALONE. That doesn’t count the Kindle version, or sales through any other areas - whether that’s Amazon, Waterstones, indies or otherwise.

Where traditional publishing is at risk is not moving with the times, and with a sales slump, we’re only going to have to work harder to ensure that books meet readers where they’re not just seeking them. It’s in finding novel, innovative and fresh ways to find readers that we can hopefully turn that slump around. Let’s see what the rest of the year has in-store!

I’ll be back in a fortnight with another newsletter for you paid subscribers. For those others, I’ll be back in June! Thanks for reading x

I’m delighted to be back in your inboxes, and happy to see a flurry of new subscribers. There’s now over 400 of you here - and I feel immensely grateful to be in your inbox, sharing my insights and guidance about all things publishing.

I know I did this only last month, but as there are many new faces, a little re-intro here: I’m Mireille - an Editorial Director working in trade publishing (I publish wellbeing non-fiction books at Bloomsbury). I’ve worked in this industry for the past eight years (coming up to nine!), and I created this newsletter to share insights on the industry, as well as opportunities. I’m keen on democratising our industry, and opening up on the ins and outs, so expect to learn more as you read.

I'm also on the other side - as the author of Timelines from Black History, (published by DK) which has sold 60,000+ copies in six years. I’m now working on another children’s book with Nosy Crow and run an editorial and communications consultancy, specialising in sensitivity reading (check out mireillecharper.co.uk.)

In this newsletter, you can expect to find insights on all things editorial - this is coming fresh from The Literary Consultancy’s Online Mentoring Day - which I participated in last Friday, alongside literary agent, Florence Rees. You can head down to the end of this newsletter to find out more. In the meantime, you can expect the typical: a few new writer opportunities, the latest roles and must-reads on the industry.

Enjoy reading, Mireille x

A heartfelt thank you to all paid subscribers. Your support truly means the world. By financially backing this Substack, you're valuing the time, research, and care that goes into every issue, and I’m so grateful. Don’t forget: your subscription includes five book or publishing-related queries a month, so if you’ve got a question on your mind, don’t hesitate to reach out — I’m here to help!

Read more

Happy April!

How are we already FOUR months into 2026? I have no idea where this year is going, but I am glad to see the back of March. Otherwise known as ‘March Madness’, it’s one of the busiest months in the book calendar, thanks to London Book Fair. With the chaos of the fair a distant memory, and the post-fair flurry of submissions slowing down (not entirely, but nearly), it feels somewhat calmer.

What seems to be filling my head at the moment is the issue of AI. In the past fortnight, we’ve seen a slew of AI-associated scandals, from editors allegedly uploading confidential manuscripts into ChatGPT to read quickly, a book get pulled from publication over suspected AI use, and The New York Times dropped a freelance journalist who used AI to write a book review. So, how do we tackle the AI issue? That’s a topic I delve into, in this newsletter.

Alongside this, here’s what else you can expect in this monthly update:

• new roles

• new writer opportunities

• the articles you should be reading

• a day in the life of an editorial director

Enjoy reading,

Mireille x

the newest entry-level roles in publishing 📌

Foreign Rights Assistant, Walker Books

Walker Books publishes a wealth of award-winning children’s authors, from Angie Thomas, to Jon Klassen - and are behind some of the biggest children’s book titles - We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, anyone? If you’re looking for a chance to join their team, they’re looking for an assistant in their Foreign Rights team. You’ll be involved in a range of tasks and projects, and liaise with all departments, as well as getting involved with events like sales trips, book fairs and other industry events. A great entry-level role - get applying!

Apply here

Editorial Assistant, John Murray Press

The lovely folk at John Murray Press are looking for an editorial assistant to join their brilliant team. JMP is one of the oldest publishers in the UK, and they have a wonderful illustrated non-fiction imprint, Greenfinch, where they publish books on everything from wellness and nature, to science and travel. In this role, you’ll be supporting the Managing Editor, as well as the Publisher and wider editorial team - working on everything from minute-taking and agenda-setting, to working on cover copy and proofreading.

Apply here

Editorial Assistant, Headline

Another great editorial assistant role at Hachette - this time at Headline, who publish some of the biggest names in fiction, from my chick-lit fave, Jill Mansell, to incredible writers such as Bolu Babalola, Dorothy Koomson and Martina Cole. In this role, you’ll be supporting the editorial team with admin support, as well as overseeing desk editing, working with freelancers, reading and reporting on manuscripts and much more.

Apply here

writer + illustrator prizes + submissions 📖

Paid subscribers have access to these opportunities first, so if you’re keen to be the first to know, sign up for fortnightly emails as a paid subscriber

Ankara Press

ABlack-centred, Black-led imprint that amplifies stories that reflect the diversity and nuance of Black experiences worldwide, Ankara Press is looking for commercial fiction and non-fiction by Black writers from across the globe.

They are looking for books that are joyful, strange, tender, sexy, hilarious, haunting, hopeful, that reflect the complexity of Black life and keep readers glued to the page. If you’re writing any of the following, this could be your chance:

• Smart, swoony romance, and bold, character-driven women’s fiction

• Unforgettable thrillers and horrors, and vision-rich sci-fi and fantasty

• Fresh non-fiction, and humorous middle grade

Submit your work here

MeetCute Storyteller Prize

The MeetCute Romance Book Festival and Kate Nash Literary Agency havbe joined forces to launch a new competition for writers of romance fiction, the MeetCute Storyteller Prize, with an offer of literary representation for the winner.

Open until Friday 5th June, the prize is asking for readers to submit the first chapter of a romance novel of any type. The winner of the prize will land representation from Kate Nash Literary Agency, a £500 cash prize. Runners up will receive one-to-one mentoring and editorial meetings with a literary agent.

Submit your work here

must-read publishing industry articles 🧠

How to Make a Literary Community (and Why It’s So Important Now)

A delightful article by Carrie Olivia Adams, on the importance of literary communities, and how we can both create and nurture them. It’s a beautiful piece, and one that highlights why writing - often deemed a solitary act - can be enriched in the company of others, and the need for community. As Adams says, it’s the best weapon we have against despair in a society that continues to fracture and fragment.

Read here

3 Years On: Five minutes with Cecile Pin

My lovely friend, Cecile, recently published her second book, Celestial Lights - a gorgeous novel about ambition, love and space - which I adored. To celebrate its publication, the fab folk at the Women’s Prize (who longlisted her first book, Wandering Souls, for their fiction prize) interviewed her. It’s a great piece - where Cecile talks about her writing approach, inspirations and advice for aspiring authors. Give it a read!

Read here

Before the “Smart” Era: What the Early Years of AI Reveal About Its Future

Before we get into the big, messy topic below, this is one of the latest reads on AI that I’ve enjoyed. In this piece, author Sarah Murray, discusses the slow creep of AI in our everyday life and culture - and the way its seemingly “simple, harmless and helpful” integration in our lives, often means we ignore its involvement in “surveillance, data collection and predetermined subjectivity”. A worthwhile read.

Read here

how do we solve a problem like AI?

The past few weeks have brought a flurry of scandals - as illustrated in the articles I shared above. If you’re not aware of recent dramas, here’s a brief rundown:

1. The Bookseller reported on concerns around editors entering manuscripts into ChatGPT to assess their viability, resulting in literary agencies introducing clauses around AI into their contracts to protect their authors and their respective works.

2. Hachette made the decision to pull a formerly self-published title, Shy Girl, from its upcoming publication after reports of suspected AI use. Its author, Mia Ballard, denies using AI, but noted that a freelance editor she hired to work on the book is to blame.

3. The New York Times dropped a freelance journalist, Alex Preston, who used AI to write a book review of Watching Over Her by Jean-Baptiste Andrea. A New York Times reader noted similarities between a similar review in the Guardian.

Rising controversy and scandals like the above beg the question - how do we tackle the issue of AI? At a time when publishing (and many other major) companies are encouraging employees to employ AI to assist and support with tasks, how do we protect individuals from having their work fed into a system that will likely harvest their data and regurgitate it to others, how do we ensure we’re protecting human creativity (both ours and others), and how do we ensure the work we’re engaging with - both as readers and editors - is authentic?

It’s a tricky subject, and one that there’s no clear answer to. What’s going to become increasingly difficult over time, as AI integrates into the way we speak and write - and as it also becomes smarter - is to decipher what’s AI and what’s not. How will we maintain due diligence, and act accordingly, as the lines become more blurred?

The answer, I believe, lies in each of us taking responsibility. We all need to be more diligent and considerate, and to develop our critical thinking into our sixth sense. I’ve been following Shae O. Omonijo, who I came across on the Grace Beverley podcast, to better engage with AI, and to nurture those deeper skills - staying human, reconnecting with people and groups offline, flexing my critical thinking muscles, and reading more - to counter the effects of AI.

Much like tackling disinformation, I think it’s down to all of us to practise radical acceptance - the truth is, for now anyway, AI is not going anywhere. It’s integrated in our systems, and it’s shifting and adapting every day. Whether we choose to use it or not, its effects are going to be felt - and we will all have to be more diligent and prepared in navigating it.

- from how to prepare for the AI future, how to NOT deep fry your brain (THINK, don’t skim) and how to engage your brain so you’re SMARTER than AI.

Where Shae says the magic lies, and where I agree, is staying human.

I’ll be back in May with another newsletter. See you soon x

I’m delighted to be back in your inboxes, and happy to see a flurry of new subscribers. As a re-introduction, I’m Mireille - an Editorial Director working in trade publishing (specifically wellbeing non-fiction). I’ve worked in this industry for the past eight years (coming up to nine!), and I created this newsletter to share insights on the industry, as well as opportunities. I’m keen on democratising our industry, and opening up on the ins and outs, so expect to learn more as you read.

Alongside running an imprint at Bloomsbury, I’m the author of Timelines from Black History which has sold 60,000+ copies in six years. I’m now working on another children’s book with Nosy Crow, due for publication in 2027. I also run an editorial and communications consultancy, specialising in sensitivity reading - so feel free to check out my work on mireillecharper.co.uk.

In this newsletter, expect to find new writer opportunities, new roles, the must-read articles on the industry, and some insights into London Book Fair - what it is, who it’s for, and what I learned this year!

Enjoy reading, Mireille x

A heartfelt thank you to all paid subscribers. Your support truly means the world. By financially backing this Substack, you're valuing the time, research, and care that goes into every issue, and I’m so grateful. Don’t forget: your subscription includes five book or publishing-related queries a month, so if you’ve got a question on your mind, don’t hesitate to reach out — I’m here to help!

Read more

I haven’t been in your inboxes for a little while, so I’m extending gratitude for your patience. February passed in a flurry - with acquisitions, strategy planning, away days (three, to be precise) and gearing up for all the books I’m publishing this year, taking up all my energy (not to mention all the life stuff - anyone else feel like they’re constantly chasing their tail? Life admin, house admin and health admin has been absorbing a lot of my energy, and I’ve not managed to share as much as I’d have wanted on this platform for my free subscribers, so I’m hoping March might turn this around.

Here’s what you can expect in this monthly update:

• new roles

• new writer opportunities

• the articles you should be reading

• a day in the life of an editorial director

Enjoy reading,

Mireille x

the latest entry-level roles in publishing 📌

Marketing Assistant, Bonnier

If you’re a hyper-organised book lover with a real love for marketing, content creation and design, this is the dream role. Reporting to the Senior Marketing Manager, this role will involve you providing admin support to the team, assisting with social media managements and content, as well as contributing to marketing campaigns. A fantastic role for publishing hopefuls!

Apply here

Customer Service Assistant, Digital Resources (12 month FTC)

My lovely workplace, Bloomsbury, are hiring for a Customer Services Assistant to join the Bloomsbury Digital Resources team. You’ll serve as a vital link between customers and internal departments, to ensure a seamless and efficient customer service. If you want to get your foot in door, and you’re keen for a role that allows you to learn more about the inner workings in Publishing, and the various departments, this might be one for you. This role is based in Oxford.

Apply here

HR Assistant, Hachette

The lovely folk at Hachette are hiring for a HR Assistant to joinn their team, where you’ll deliver professional and efficient administration support for your business divisions and the wider HR team, as well as being a first point of contact for HR queries. If you’re eager to get an insight into how publishing operates, and have a passion for people and processes, this could be one for you.

Apply here

writer + illustrator prizes + submissions 📖

Paid subscribers have access to these opportunities first, so if you’re keen to be the first to know, sign up for fortnightly emails as a paid subscriber

Darley Anderson Illustration Mentorship Prize 2026

Illustrators, this is for you! The wonderful folk at Darley Anderson Agency are looking for illustrators (from underrepresented or minority backgrounds within publishing - see the website for more insight) for their first-ever mentorship competition. The prize is open now until the 16th March, so get applying!

Submit your work here

Harper-Wood Creative Writing and Travel Award

A fantastic opportunity opens up on the 18th February, established by St John’s College in 1949. The Harper-Wood Award offers (up to) £20,700 for a writer or poet to spend a year in a country outside of the United Kingdom, where they’ll be expected to engage in a course of study or research, leading to the production of original fiction, poetry or drama. The award is open to creative writers in the initial stages of their career (and they can be a graduate of any university in the UK, Ireland, the Commonwealth or the USA).

Apply here (from the 18th)

Embla Books

Not an agency, but the digital-first imprint of Bonnier, Embla, are opening their submissions for the FIRST time. If you’re an unagented author, and working on any of the following: twisty domestic thriller, Christmas murder mystery, or witchy romance, this is a great opportunity!

Submit here

must-read publishing industry articles 🧠

Black children’s books are for everyone

A fantastic article by Dawn Cameron and Susan Pitter, founders of Out of Many People, a Leeds-based organisation that curates and promotes Black storytelling through arts, heritage and cultural programming in the North. In this article, Dawn and Susan talk about the inaugural Likkle Lit Fest they organised in Leeds, and the need for more festivals, events and spaces like this.

Read here

Publishing’s Mid-Level Career Crisis

This anonymous article is a VITAL read for anyone looking to get into Publishing. In this piece, the author - who has worked in the industry for over five years, in mid-level editorial roles - explains the issue of having to ‘break into the industry all over again’ when it comes to moving beyond mid-level. It’s an experience that many of my peers, and myself, have experienced, and it’s a worthwhile read if you’re considering Publishing as an industry.

Read here

We Are Our Stories:

On Heritage, Family and the Importance of Oral History

A beautiful article from Literary Hub, written by Jasmin Iolani Hakes, on the importance of oral history, and the role it plays in holding onto our heritage and family histories, particularly during this time - where, as Hakes describes painfully accurately, “we wake up to a daily deluge of violence, chaos, uncertainty, and upheaval”. A stunning read.

Read here

a day in the life of an editorial director ☀️

I’m often asked what my job entails when I give advice on getting into the world of Publishing, and what my day-to-day looks like. There’s an assumption that the role involves simply reading lots of books, which could not be more the opposite of my everyday life.

For most editors, our days are an array of meetings - with authors, agents, and various team members - across Sales, Marketing, Publicity, Rights, Production, or often all. Much of our days involve strategising - whether on Covers, Positioning, Campaigns - you name it. In a bid to share more about what the everyday life of an editor looks like, I’ve recently started documenting my days on TikTok - check out here!

I’ll be back in April with another newsletter. See you soon x

I’m delighted to be back after a fortnight with more opportunities for you. As we inch towards March, I’m mentally preparing for an intense period, with London Book Fair coming up. In the spirit of conserving my energy in order to prep accordingly, I’ve kept this fortnightly newsletter brief, but you can expect new publishing (and publishing-adjacent) roles, writer prizes, the articles I’ve been reading on books and publishing and the latest open submissions (get sending your manuscripts over to these agents!). Enjoy reading, Mireille x

A heartfelt thank you to all paid subscribers. Your support truly means the world. By financially backing this Substack, you're valuing the time, research, and care that goes into every issue, and I’m so grateful. Don’t forget: your subscription includes five book or publishing-related queries a month, so if you’ve got a question on your mind, don’t hesitate to reach out — I’m here to help!

Read more

It’s been a long time since I’ve been in your inbox (thanks for your patience!). It’s officially February, and it feels like we’re all defrosting (finally!). The days are getting lighter and longer, and a new energy seems to have surfaced. With LBF and Spring on the horizon, I’m looking forward to seeing what this year brings - but it feels like a hopeful and exciting one for the publishing industry.

In this newsletter, expect the latest entry-level roles, a first look at february writer prizes, and the latest must-reads on books and publishing, as well as some insights on writing a non-fiction chapter.

Enjoy reading!

Mireille x

A heartfelt thank you to all paid subscribers. Your support truly means the world. By financially backing this Substack, you're valuing the time, research, and care that goes into every issue, and I’m so grateful. Don’t forget: your subscription includes five book or publishing-related queries a month, so if you’ve got a question on your mind, don’t hesitate to reach out — I’m here to help!

Read more

I’m back in your inboxes FINALLY - thanks for your patience and well wishes! I’m really excited to be back with a bumper newsletter, and for those of you who are looking for big opportunities in 2026, I’ve got a ton here for you. Whether you’re a publishing hopeful, an aspiring writer looking for your big break, or you want to learn the ins and outs of writing a non-fiction book proposal, I’ve got you.

I’m on a mission to reach more readers this year, so do share this newsletter with friends, family and anyone you might know who’s seeking to learn more about the publishing world, books and much more.

Without further ado…

Opportunities for Writers 🖋️

✨ HarperCollins Author Academy

If you’re an author looking for guidance and support, this is for you! HarperCollins has launched its Author Academy, which offers free training to support writers from underrepresented minority ethnic backgrounds. There are three courses - Fiction, Non-Fiction and Writing for Children - with fifteen places offered across each. The courses kick off in May 2026 and applications have just opened. They close on the 6th February so get applying now!

Enter here

✨ Chicken House x The Times

This one is for the children’s fiction writers among you - this is the biggest opportunity in the UK. If you’ve dreamed of being a published children’s author, this is your moment! If you’ve written a full-length novel for readers aged 7-18, make sure to enter. The competition is open to unpublished, unagented authors from across the world, and the winner will land a publishing contract with Chicken House and a £10,000 advance. There’s also the Broken Binding Prize - dedicated to YA, sci-fi, fantasy and speculative fiction - also offering a £10k advance, so worth getting pen to paper! Closing date: 1st June 2026.

Enter here

✨ Julia & Martin Wilson Short Story Competition

If you’ve got a short story in you, this might be up your street. Stories need to be a maximum of 2,000 words (unlimited entries, so you can write and submit as many as you please. Free rein on the theme, so go wild! The main prize (open to adults and age 16+) is £800! Note this costs £12 to enter.

Enter here

✨ Bristol Short Story Prize Competition

Another short story competition here - also with the option of free entry for those on low income or without paid employment. The winner will get £1500, with second place securing £500, and a third prize of £250 to its respective winner. All shortlisted entries will receive £50 and be printed in the Bristol Short Story Prize Anthology. A great chance to launch your work, but worth noting that this ends on the 31st January so move quickly!

Enter here

✨ Blue Pencil Agency First Novel Award 2026

This international writing competition is open to unrepresented and unpublished authors for a novel in any adult fiction genre, with the winner securing £1,500 + an agent introduction. The runner up will win £500 as well as an agent introduction too. In addition to the judges’ winners, BPA will award £250 to one FNA entrant who may not make the shortlist but shows great potential. To enter, submit an pening chapter or chapters up to 5000 words plus a 300 word synopsis and a covering letter. Note this costs £25 to enter.

Enter here

✨ Open Submissions at ASH Literary

As of January 2026, Saffron Dodd at ASH Literary has opened her books, and is accepting graphic novel submissions from creators worldwide, as well as CB (chapter book), MG (middle-grade), YA (young adult) and New Adult novel submissions from UK authors. More details on Saffron’s tastes here!

New Early Career & Entry-Level Job Roles 📌

🌟 International Sales Assistant, Hachette

If you’re keen to get an entry-level role in publishing, and you’re keen to also work in more of a sales-focused role, this job at Hachette might be for you. You’ll be working within the high-performing International Sales team, for which you’ll support on a range of admin tasks, whilst also expanding your knowledge of international sales. This role is a fixed-term contract, paying £27,000 in London and £24,840 in Sheffield. Closing date: 23rd January.

Apply here

🌟 Executive Assistant, Hachette

A great role for someone who’s got admin experience, but wants to break into publishing. This role involves supporting senior management with diary management, juggling deadlines and priorities, and much more. If you love a fast-paced environment, this one’s for you. Salary of up to £40,000. Closing date: 26th January.

Apply here

🌟 Editorial Assistant, Children’s

A fantastic role here for someone who’s keen to break into Editorial, and has a real passion for Children’s publishing. Ladybird produce some of the best books in the genre, and this is a wonderful opportunity for those who want to know how this side of the business works! Closing date: 25th January.

Apply here

🌟 Editorial Assistant, Vintage

And lastly, one of my previous employers! I worked at Vintage for a few years, and loved my time there. The lovely folk in the Classics and Catalogue team are looking for an Editorial Assistant to join them in providing administrative and editorial support. Vintage is the home of incredible authors, from Austen and Amis to Nesbo and Nigella, so if you love your classics, get applying.

Apply here

My Top Non-Fiction Tips 📖

Towards the end of last year, I was asked by the lovely folk at Bergstrom Studio for my guidance for non-fiction writing, particularly what makes a non-fiction proposal stand out. This is SUCH a hard question, and there’s much more I want to cover than the below, so I wanted to use this newsletter as an opportunity to sense check the appetite for a proposal writing template.

I created a resource back in 2023, when I joined Bloomsbury, to support debut authors, but I’m now keen to expand this to those who might be interested in writing their own proposals. If you’d like to hear more, let me know!

In the meantime, here are three top tips to consider when you’re penning your non-fiction proposal:

1. Write what you know, but show me you understand the world beyond yourself.

The strongest proposals come from writers who bring real grounding: academic credentials, professional expertise or lived experience. But what elevates a proposal is the author’s ability to move beyond their own vantage point and handle complexity with nuance. Explore and demonstrate why readers will care: why the topic matters now, what questions you’re helping them navigate, and how your perspective unlocks something they can’t get elsewhere.

2. Be bold, but stay accessible.

Great non-fiction is confident in its ideas and generous in its delivery. I love writing that feels ground-breaking and imaginative, but is also clear, inviting and enjoyable to read. Think about what readers want to understand or feel, and show them the path. Non-fiction can (and should) shift perspectives, challenge assumptions and offer moments of delight. Bring the big ideas, but show them in a way that anyone can grasp, savour and share.

3. Know the market and your place within it.

A good proposal shows a sharp understanding of its own ecosystem. Think about the space your book sits in: what timely or topical conversations it speaks to, and what it offers that isn’t already on the shelves. Show me the freshness: the angle, voice, argument or structure that only you can bring. Be specific about your peers: who are the authors or books you’d sit beside, complement or challenge? Demonstrate awareness and distinction – market knowledge paired with clear originality.

And on that note, it’s goodbye from me…

I’ll be back in your inbox next month if you’re a free subscriber, and if you’re a paid subscriber, there’ll be a big old email coming your way in a fortnight :)

first of all, happy new year. I hope the holidays were restorative, festive and fun in equal measure, and that you’re reading this with a calmed nervous system and lots of energy for the new year.

secondly, it’s been a while, and I want to thank all of you who have been understanding in the midst of my absence. 2025 was a very rewarding year for many reasons - I bought my first home (solo, with no financial help), published four books for tonic, the imprint I work for at bloomsbury, handed in my manuscript for next children’s book, signed with a new agent for my adult project - a dystopian corporate satire (lol), and got involved in a HEAP of other book projects, each of which brought me joy.

at the same time, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t an incredibly challenging year too.

at the time of writing my last substack, I was unable to walk, and was taken to hospital in an ambulance after a severe back injury during a routine doctor’s appointment. I spent over a week unable to walk, wash or even go to the toilet without the aid of my parents (a huge privilege for which I am immensely grateful). I spent most of december learning (literally) to find my footing again, and I am still learning to cope with pain and learn what my new normal is, nearly a month on.

discomfort is not new to me - I spent most of my childhood unwell thanks to gastric reflux that resulted in me being physically sick frequently until my secondary school years. because of this, in adulthood, I was diagnosed with a stomach ulcer, throat ulcer and hiatal hernia. all of these are manageable but, as expected, cause me to experience discomfort and a low level of pain on a daily basis.

at the age of eighteen, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism which I’ve been on medication for since - the symptoms of which range from brain fog and severe fatigue to slow speech and cognitive issues like slow motor response. most days, I feel like there is a cloud over my eyes that never really clears.

over the years I have learned to adjust to the fact that my body does not always work like others, as frustrating as that may seem. however, whilst this is true, I’ve also at times not listened to my body, and tirelessly pushed at it - forcing it to overwork, overdo, over be.

perhaps this is why, in december, my back gave in and said no. I finally received my diagnosis - on new year’s eve, no less - of degenerative disc disease. I’m aware of the condition as someone who was dear to me had it, and I saw first-hand how debilitating it was for them on a daily basis - how spine injections and medications that wrecked their stomach became their normal.

now I am confronted with the fact that this could be mine too. I remain hopeful, as always, and optimistic about the path that lies ahead, but I’m also realistic about the fact that this a condition that will only worsen, and the reality of this is a wake-up call.

it’s a reminder that more than anything, your health should come first, and that’s why this is my note to you, reading. the nature of the book world is that it is often fast, intense, and requires you to pour your heart and soul into it.

I do not regret the eight years I’ve spent in this industry, but I also recognise the ways I have given a lot - my energy, my time, my all - and neglected to pour that into myself in the process.

with all of this in mind, my priority for this year is my health and wellbeing, and I share this message as a reminder to consider this for yourself too.

before I sign off, there is one person I’d love to shout out.

my friend, hope, has recently launched a fantastic publicity toolkit for authors. the world of publicity in publishing is often murky and confusing, so hope’s guide is genuinely a godsend (and something I will be referring to, constantly).

if you want to learn more, read below:

You’ve written the book. Now comes the part no one really prepares you for: getting it into the world. The Author’s Book Publicity Toolkit is designed for writers who want to take initiative around their book’s visibility when professional publicity support isn’t available because of budget, timing, or access. It is not positioned as a replacement for a publicist. Publicity is a relational business built on trust, experience and long-term media relationships. Instead, this toolkit empowers authors to understand the process, do meaningful work themselves, and become stronger collaborators within the publishing ecosystem.

what’s included?

• 30 pages of step-by-step guidance

• Fill-in worksheets and printable checklists

• Pitch email templates

• A 6-month launch planner

• Campaign tracking tools

• Decision guidance on when to seek professional PR

who’s it for?

• Debut and emerging authors

• Independent and small press writers

• Authors without access to a publicist

• Writers who want structure and clarity

check it out here

i’m signing off but I’ll be back in your inbox mid-month with the usual newsletter - so expect job opportunities, bits and bobs for writers, and some more words (hopefully of wisdom!) from me.

with love, mireille x

I hope this finds you very well. I’m sharing this newsletter to let you know that due to a recent injury, I will be taking some time away from Substack. Over the past few months, I’ve loved sharing opportunities, job roles and my insights on publishing - and that won’t be going anywhere, but my health has forced me to take stock and I will be away from this space until February 2026 as I navigate recovery.

To all paid subscribers - you’re welcome to cancel your subscriptions or pause them until I come back in a couple of months.

As a gift to all of my subscribers, I would love to send you a copy of Floating Home by my author, Adam Lind. A wonderful organisation called Drop Dead Generous is extending human kindness and bought many copies of this wonderful book for me to send on (UK subscribers only, sorry). If you’d like this, do respond to this email and I will arrange for copies to be delivered next week.

As a final note, I want to say to all of you reading, please listen to your body. Whilst I’m typically one for sharing advice on work and publishing, I also think it’s important to share lessons for all aspects of life. Over the past year, I have pushed my body to the limit - overworking and overdoing - and my recent health struggles I can see are a direct result of this. If there’s one lesson I can end this year on, it’s the importance of listening to your body and prioritising rest - or your body will force you to.

Take care and see you on the flip side,

Mireille

It’s been nearly three weeks since I’ve been in your inbox (thanks for your patience!). It’s officially December, which means it’s wind down time (at least, it should be) for publishing. Christmas is on the horizon, and I’m looking forward to a much-needed rest, as well as gearing up for a full-on 2026, I’m also reflecting on this year - which has been a challenging one. You can head on down to the bottom of the newsletter to read more for my thoughts on this. If you’re looking for more interesting takes and reads, you can find those in this newsletter - from the importance of DEI in future-proofing the industry, to the wonderful world of book design. As usual, you can also expect the latest entry-level roles from Thames & Hudson to Bonnier and Penguin Random House, to fantastic writer prizes for poets, novelists and fiction writers. Enjoy reading.

A heartfelt thank you to all paid subscribers. Your support truly means the world. By financially backing this Substack, you're valuing the time, research, and care that goes into every issue, and I’m so grateful. Don’t forget: your subscription includes five book or publishing-related queries a month, so if you’ve got a question on your mind, don’t hesitate to reach out — I’m here to help!

Read more

I’m back in your inboxes this month, with an exciting opportunity for children’s authors who are seeking a way to connect with young readers and engage their local communities. Carry on reading to find out more. As well as this, in this monthly newsletter, you can expect to find the latest writer opportunities, new jobs in publishing for entry-level folk and take a look at what I’m immersed in reading. Enjoy! ✨

For the past ten months, I’ve been lucky to be a part of the GLL Literary Foundation, a wonderful programme set up by the equally wonderful social enterprise, GLL.

The GLL Literary Foundation was set up to encourage and support authors to continue to write, share stories and inspire young readers. GLL have managed public libraries, and have a deep understanding of the publishing process for authors - for many, things don’t end when the first book is published. I know that first-hand, having sold nearly 60,000 copies of the children’s book I wrote with DK, Timelines from Black History, only five years ago.

For children’s authors, it’s about more than writing - we’re required to engage with young audiences, to speak to little readers, and to inspire them. We’ve also got to become business owners (shout out to my accountant, Julie, who keeps me on the straight and narrow when January aka tax hellscape arrives), be brand and marketing whizzes (mastering a million platforms at once - LinkedIn, Substack, TikTok, IG etc.), and somehow be prepped to create new (“commercial”) ideas. It’s a lot.

To help support authors navigating this landscape, GLL honourably set up the GLL Literary Foundation, aiming to support local authors in developing their skills and knowledge, encouraging diversity and inclusion in children’s books, giving children and young people the opportunity to be inspired to read and write, supporting all publishers, and connecting local authors and publishers to the libraries at the heart of their communities.

I’ve loved being a part of this year’s cohort - mainly for the opportunity to connect with other authors, and support the great work they’re doing. If you’re a children’s author and want to get involved, GLL is opening their doors for the next cohort. If you’re based in these boroughs - Greenwich, Bromley, Lincolshire, Wandsworth or Dudley, get involved! You can do this by asking your publishing representative to nominate you. More details here!

As of today, entries are open and they close on the 9th January. Good luck!

My lovely GLL cohort + the wonderful staff at GLL

With warmth, Mireille x

Opportunities for Publishing Hopefuls 📍

✨ Three fresh entry-level publishing roles you won’t want to miss - hopefuls, this is your moment!

1. Sales Assistant, UK Sales, Bloomsbury (£27k)

2. Marketing Assistant, Hachette Children’s Group (£27k)

3. International Sales Assistant (Europe), Penguin Random House (£27.5k)

Opportunities for Writers 🖋️

Three exciting opportunities for aspiring writers - get into these!

1. Self-Editing Your Novel Course Bursary

   Jericho Writers runs this online course four times a year to underrepresented writers. If you want to have the opportunity to be supported, have a finished draft or novel, and you’re available to do a six-week course, get applying!

   Apply here

2. Exeter Novel Prize

   This prestigious prize is open to writers from all over the world who aren’t represented by a literary agent (but can have been previously published). If you have the first 10,000 words, this is your chance to get your work out in the world - and noticed.

   Apply here

3. Bridport Prize

   Back in May, I spotlighted the Bridport Memoir Prize - and now the Bridport Prize have up their books for creative writing. Whether you’re a poet, short story writer, novelist or flash fiction aficionado, this is for you! Entries open on the 15th November

   Find out more here

What I’ve Read This Month 📖

1. The Book of Revelations

   Juliet Nicolson

   I was very fortunate to work as a consultant on this project - a fascinating insight into the secrets women hold, and have held over time, and how these secrets can open a unique window onto wider society.

2. Pick A Colour

   Souvankham Thammavongsa

   From the author of How to Pronounce a Knife comes this electrifying new novel which, though short, packs a punch. It follows Ning, who works in a nail salon, and intricately explores her two identities - on one side, an anonymous manicurist, on the other, a brilliant observer of her own circumstances. Well worth a read.

3. Over the Water: Essays on Islands

   Daunt Books

   To say I’m obsessed with Daunt’s essay books is an understatement. I loved In the Kitchen and In the Garden, and in this spectacular collection, we hear from the likes of Cecile Pin, Nicola Dinan, Orlaine McDonald and Megan Nolan on islands - from the coast of Cornwall to the heady heat of Phuket. Out in April 2026, pre-order here.

And with that, I’m off! I’ll be back in your inbox in November - or for paid subscribers, in a fortnight!