It starts with an unparalleled passion for books. The craving for the stories behind books, and the need to be the first to report. There is nothing like getting your first scoop – it only drives your hunger for more! 

The books business is such an exciting industry. It’s an evolving landscape: traditional publishing, independent publishing that endlessly shares stories that need a platform, and self-publishing too. We are so lucky to have such a diverse range available.  

The options of beginning a career in books or arts journalism are endless, in my opinion.

Work experience: more about that here.

Start a blog! 
I suppose this sounds like quite a nostalgic notion now, but I launched a blog ten years ago (about books, art, and things going on in Surrey) and, while I have moved on to journalism, being commissioned to write book reviews in the press, and writing fiction, it was a great confidence boost and a good way of establishing a platform from which to write, while also allowing key contacts within the books business to be built. Book PRs are super, and I was soon being sent so many proofs, my bookshelves rapidly needed strengthening (and I continue to be eternally grateful for the advanced review copies that keep coming!) Naturally, over time, you can gather your own contacts book, slowly. And, if you pursue a career in writing your own books, then you may have literary agents, publishers, editors and authors in there too, all of whom are brilliant at bending your ear to fill with stories (whether fit for publication for the press is another matter…!)

Attend literary festivals and talks, in person and / or online
Books have a marvellous way of uniting people. The best legacy from the pandemic is the move marked by literary events being broadcast online. I feel so passionately about this – just because you cannot attend a literary event (for whatever reason: geography, financial, health, etc.) it does not mean you should miss out. Cliveden Literary Festival, for example, generously shared their talks online last year on YouTube for free (what’s more, these were high-quality productions like watching mini-films!). There are so many virtual book clubs too, and great author interviews online. 

Always have your finger on the pulse
Subscribe to The Bookseller magazine, read the newspapers, join social media (if you feel like it) to follow publishing houses and authors and bookshops. Or, you can subscribe via email to receive newsletters from publishing houses / author substacks, and you’ll soon be aware of the key issues and current concerns for the book world. Right now, for example: AI is a major topic; changes to book marketing as we shift from Twitter to BookTok (and does BookTok translate to book sales?); security at book festivals; the exciting rise of the book-to-film adaptation; the escalating cost of paper and printing – and those are just from the top of my head! 

Keep track of book prizes
From The Booker Prize, The British Book Awards (aka The Nibbies), The Women’s Prize, Baillie Gifford Prize, James Tait Prize… there are so many to suit every reading need. (Plus, it’s a great way of engaging with trends and discovering new favourite books.) Many of these awards ceremonies are also broadcast online too.

Keep an open mind
For a while, I had a fascinating job I didn’t even know existed: writing reader reports for publishing houses. This involved being sent a book the publishing company were thinking of republishing or acquiring the rights to, and creating a report based on the marketability of the book – where it would appear in the bookshops, the genre, the plot and characters, comparable titles, and, ultimately, answering the key question: would I recommend the book? I was thrilled that some of my recommendations were indeed re-issued (and even attracted rave reviews in the nationals!) Such a thrill. This is how literary agents must feel, I thought to myself…

So, if books start the best conversations, then the best journalism should follow suit!