Hachette UK and New Writing North bring together students and industry professionals to widen access to careers in publishing

16 July 2025 – New Writing North and Hachette UK have partnered on a Careers in Publishing Insight Day at Northumbria University, which was designed to show young people in the North East the breadth of the jobs available in the publishing industry.

Hachette UK’s All Together Network worked closely with New Writing North to arrange and deliver a day of workshops to students as part of the network’s Changing the Story commitment to promote the recruitment, retention, and development of people from low socio-economic and regional backgrounds in the publishing industry.

At the event, eight Hachette UK staff delivered workshops on editorial, marketing and publicity, design, contracts, and sales to over 50 students, from four schools in the North East. The students completed example tasks, including: how they might persuade This Morning to have an author on the programme; what information they would put on a book cover; how they could connect with BookTok influencers; and how they would pitch a book of their own creation to colleagues in an acquisition meeting. The four workshops left the students with a better idea of the range of skills and roles needed to get from an author’s imagination to a printed book.

Course leader of the Northumbria University MA in Publishing, delivered in partnership with Hachette UK and New Writing North, Richard Kelly, spoke about his own personal experiences to inspire students about possible routes of entry into the industry.

Amy Robson, Senior Programme Manager, Skills and Engagement, New Writing North, said: “People from the North East are extremely underrepresented in publishing and only one in four young adults are told about careers in the creative industries at school. It’s why, at New Writing North, we create opportunities for young people to learn more about writing and publishing. The relationship between New Writing North, Hachette UK and Northumbria University was critical to the success of events like the career insight day. It was brilliant to work with Hachette UK’s All Together Network to create an enjoyable and informative day for the students.” 

Co-chairs of Hachette UK’s All Together Network, Lucy Martin and Tierney Witty, said: “The careers roadshow was a brilliant way of bringing together young people across the North East who might not have otherwise engaged with creative careers as a possible future pathway. The students were engaged, asked insightful questions, and came up with brilliant ideas within the various workshops. We felt that by the end of the day, they all had a better understanding of the industry, which can feel quite opaque to those who haven’t otherwise learned about it. We’re looking forward to developing our ongoing partnership with New Writing North to expand our outreach. We’re also incredibly grateful to the volunteers across Hachette UK, who delivered the sessions to the students and are helping to demystify the industry to a new generation.”