Careers in Publishing: Marketing & Publicity

24th February 2026 6:30pm to 8:00pm, Online

Have you ever considered a career in publishing? Do you want to find out more about what working in the marketing and publicity strand of the industry could look like?

It's all very well making a book. But how do you get a book into the hands of its readers? Marketing and publicity are all about getting a book to the reader, from designing creative social media and advertising campaigns to organising speaking events for an author to getting newspaper coverage for the latest title. 

In this session we will be bringing together publishing professionals and recruitment specialists who work across marketing and publicity. Our panellists will offer insight into the difference between marketing and publicity, the many roles available in this space, what skills you need to develop to work in book marketing and publicity, and how to make your first steps in the industry. They'll look back at their respective career journeys so far, and take the time to answer your questions. 

To accompany the session, you'll receive digital takeaway materials which, we hope, will serve as an inspirational and practical resource when it comes to considering a career in one of the most varied and creative industries within the Arts, whatever your skill-set.

Join us online on the evening of the 24th February to start your journey.

The event is kindly being sponsored by publishing recruitment specialists Inspired.

Schedule

Tuesday 24th February

6:30pm - Introduction

6:45pm - Panel begins

7:45pm - Q&A begins

8:00pm - Event ends
 

Event exclusives

On top of the opportunity to hear from the publishing professionals on our panel, all attendees can expect to receive digital takeaway handout materials. Discount codes on Bloomsbury titles on the writing and publishing process will also be circulated to attendees. 

This masterclass will be online via Teams. It will also be recorded so if you are unable to attend live, you'll be able to catch-up and access the recording for up to two weeks after the event has taken place. 

Speaker profiles
Suzy Astbury (CEO at Inspired Selection)

I acquired Inspired back in 2010 with a vision of running a market leading publishing recruitment business with a difference. Now we are about to enter our 25th year in business stronger than ever. My role is to set the vision and values for the business and to make sure all our clients and candidates are happy. I am so proud of what we've achieved and excited about our future with lots of exciting plans in the pipeline! 

I am deeply inspired by the opportunity to create a positive impact in the world, as well as in the lives of my friends, family, team, clients, candidates, and my local community. Through my experiences and learnings, I aspire to share the path I have taken and the lessons I have learned, hoping to inspire others to embrace personal growth, challenge themselves, and achieve their dreams. I firmly believe that no dream is too big to be pursued with dedication and determination.

Lucy Zhou (Acting Publicity Director, Canongate Books)

Lucy Zhou is Acting Publicity Director at Canongate Books where she has worked with authors including bestselling author Matt Haig and Women’s Prize-shortlisted Ayobami Adebayo. Prior to that, she worked in academic publishing at Princeton University Press’s UK office. 

Mia Oakley (Marketing Manager, Bloomsbury Publishing)

Mia Oakley is a multi award-winning marketer with a specialism in cookery, audience development and data insight. With five years’ experience in publishing, she has held roles at Dialogue (Hachette), Ebury (PRH), indie September Publishing and Bloomsbury where she is currently Marketing Manager across the Lifestyle division. spanning marketing, insights, operations and editorial.

Mia has delivered commercial and literary campaigns across genres authors including Slutty Cheff, Poppy Cooks, Meliz Berg, Melissa Hemsley, Akwaeke Emezi, bell hooks and Aliyah Umm Raiyaan. While at PRH, she also led Colour[Full], the company’s employee network for global majority staff, serving as its longest-standing chair and shaping diversity and inclusion policy across the business.
 

Amanda Dissinger (Senior Publicity Manager, Bloomsbury US)

Amanda Dissinger has been in the publicity / communications space for 13 years, working across the music, book publishing, and hospitality industries. She has held previous positions at Terrorbird Media, Ace Hotel Group, Algonquin Books / Hachette, and Oxford University Press, and has been the Senior Publicity Manager at Bloomsbury Publishing for over three years. A graduate of New York University, she has lived in New York City - somehow!- for 16 years, and in her free time loves hanging out with her Shiba Inu, Zuko, weight lifting, and gardening. 

The Bloomsbury Institute runs a programme of events all over the UK, to provide insight into working in the publishing industry. We bring together publishing professionals from all corners of the industry to share their expertise and insight, and offer advice and support to those considering a career in books. Our focus is on reaching people from backgrounds and parts of the country currently underrepresented in publishing, to held create a more diverse and inclusive sector.

Visit our website, and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter to keep up to date with the latest news and events.

 

Inspired are a premier publishing recruitment agency and executive search firm dedicated to connecting talented individuals with the right opportunities in the dynamic world of publishing. With our expertise and passion for the written word, we strive to make meaningful connections between professionals and the companies that value their unique skills.

At Inspired, we understand that publishing is not just an industry; it's a community of visionaries, storytellers, and innovators. We recognise the power of words to shape culture, inspire change, and ignite imaginations. That's why we are committed to finding exceptional talent who share this passion and are eager to make their mark in the publishing realm.

Our team is comprised of experienced recruiters with extensive knowledge of the publishing landscape. We have built strong relationships with top publishing houses, independent presses, educational institutions, and digital media platforms, giving us unparalleled access to a wide range of exciting career opportunities.

We take pride in our personalised approach to recruitment. We believe that every candidate is unique, and their individual strengths and aspirations deserve careful consideration. By getting to know our candidates on a personal level, we can match them with positions that align with their skills, interests, and long-term goals. Our goal is to foster successful, long-term partnerships that benefit both the candidates and the organisations we work with.

Whether you are an experienced publishing professional looking for a new challenge or a fresh graduate eager to embark on a publishing career, Inspired is here to guide you on your journey. We offer comprehensive services to both our candidates and clients that include career coaching, succession planning, interview preparation and valuable industry insights. Our support doesn't end once you secure a position; we continue to provide guidance and assistance to ensure your ongoing success.

At Inspired, we firmly believe that a thriving publishing industry relies on diverse voices and perspectives. We are committed to promoting inclusivity and actively seek out opportunities to connect underrepresented individuals with positions where their voices can shine.

Let Inspired be your guiding light as you navigate the vast opportunities this industry has to offer. Together, we can shape the future of publishing, one inspiring connection at a time. Find out more.

Booking & payment

Tickets for this event are £9, and include digital handout materials. Prices are inclusive of standard VAT.

This fee is payable in full online, though please note that payment instalment plans are available for all W&A events, writing courses and editing services. Contact W&A Admin on [email protected] so that we can find a payment schedule that works for you.

Bookings can be made by clicking on the 'Book' buttons at the top and bottom of this page. If you're having trouble booking, please email [email protected] and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

To view our event refund and cancellation policy, please click here.

Accessible to all:

  • Writers & Artists and The Bloomsbury Institute have made five bursary places available for this event as part of our accessibility scheme. Please visit our bursaries page to find out how to apply for bursaries to the course.
  • This is a live online event which will be presented using video conferencing software: Teams. Joining instructions and full guidance will be provided by the W&A Team a week before the event start-date. Please note, all event timings are in UK time.
  • A link to a recording of the masterclass will be circulated after the event. This will be made available to event attendees only, and for a time-limited period.
  • If you'd like to receive a transcript of the session, please do let us know and we can circulate following the session.
  • This event will include written text and visuals. Please contact us in advance so that we can make arrangements to be sure all documents appear in a format that works for you.
  • If you’d like to attend but have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility, then please email [email protected]

Please contact The Bloomsbury Institute on [email protected] with any queries and we'll come back to you as soon as possible.

Location

Online

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