Case studies
Edinburgh University Press and the IPG
As the IPG celebrates 60 years of support for independent publishing in 2022, this episode welcomes Nicky Ramsey, CEO of Edinburgh University Press, a leading academic press and a longstanding IPG member. Nicky talks about change, challenges and opportunities for EUP, and about what it gets out of belonging to the IPG. October 2022. Duration: 16 minutes.
b small publishing and the IPG
As the IPG celebrates 60 years of support for independent publishing, this episode of the Podcast looks back on the story of children's publisher and longstanding member bsmall, with founder Cath Bruzzone and publisher Sam Hutchinson. Cath and Sam talk about their achievements, change in the industry and the role of the IPG in their growth. August 2022. Duration: 19 minutes.
Handheld Press and starting an independent publisher
In this episode of the IPG Podcast we welcome Kate Macdonald, founder of Handheld Press. Kate tells us what it's like to launch and run your own business and discusses the ups and downs of her day-to-day work. She also shares some good advice for anyone thinking about starting out on their own. August 2022. Duration: 14 minutes.
Bible Reading Fellowship at 100
This episode of the IPG Podcast celebrates the 100th anniversary of longstanding IPG member Bible Reading Fellowship. Olivia Warburton joins us to look back on BRF's first century, and ahead to what is in store over the next few years. July 2022. Duration: 14 minutes.
Jacaranda at 10
This episode of the IPG Podcast celebrates the 10th anniversary of IPG member Jacaranda Books. Founder and CEO Valerie Brandes tells us its story and achievements so far, including its groundbreaking work to diversify British publishing. First aired: June 2022. Duration: 17 minutes.
Priscilla Hannaford and the Independent Publishing Awards
Brilliant Publications co-founder Priscilla Hannaford joins the IPG Podcast to tell us what it meant to win the title of Westchester Education Services Education Publisher of the Year at the 2021 Independent Publishing Awards. She also discusses Brilliant's response to COVID and the unique strengths of independent publishers. First aired: April 2022. Duration: 10 minutes.
Shanon Rademacher and the Independent Publishing Awards
Our guest on this episode of the IPG Podcast is Shanon Rademacher, senior digital editor at Class Professional Publishing and The Bookseller Young Independent Publisher of the Year in 2021. Shanon talks to us about her career so far, shares good advice for other aspiring publishers and explains why all rising stars should enter the 2022 Independent Publishing Awards. First aired: February 2022. Duration: 14 minutes.
Australian publishing in 2021
Michael Gordon-Smith of the Australian Publishers Association is our guest on this episode of the IPG Podcast. Michael chats with us about the shape of Australian publishing in 2021, the impact of the pandemic and the fortunes of independents in particular, and discusses ways that UK and Australian publishers can stay in touch and work together. First aired: June 2021. Duration: 19 minutes
Barefoot Books and diversity
Barefoot Books' co-founder Nancy Traversy joins us on this edition of the IPG Podcast to discuss diversity in publishing. Nancy talks to us about Barefoot's story so far, its achievements in championing cultural diversity and what publishing can do to make itself more inclusive and representative. First aired: December 2021. Duration: 16 minutes.
Managing in difficult times
In a special episode of the IPG Podcast, IPG board member and experienced publisher Oliver Gadsby discusses how to lead a business and team through difficult periods. In conversation with IPG President Jonathan Harris, he shares advice for nimbly responding to challenges, managing change, finding support and keeping staff well and motivated. First aired: 27 March 2020. Duration: 15 minutes.
Nigel Newton and Bloomsbury
In the lastest in a series of podcasts with the leaders of independent publishing, IPG president Jonathan Harris talks to Bloomsbury's co-founder Nigel Newton. Nigel discusses the creation of the business, its remarkable growth in the Harry Potter years and its ambitions for the future, and makes some predictions for publishing in 2020. First aired: January 2020. Duration: 34 minutes.
Dick Warner and 30 years of Class Publishing
As healthcare and legal specialist Class Publishing celebrates its 30th anniversary, founder and chairman Dick Warner joins the IPG Podcast to reflect on its journey. As well as telling the story of its start-up and growth, Dick tells us about the pleasures of running your own business and changes in publishing over the last three decades. First aired: 15 November 2019. Duration: 15 minutes.
Crowdfunding in publishing
With crowdfunding an increasingly popular model for publishing books, this episode of the IPG Podcast takes a look at one example of it with the help of Robert Ashton, an IPG member with experience in both writing and publishing. Robert explains the background to his latest project and offers advice for crowdfunding and other types of collaborative publishing. First aired: August 2019. Duration: 9 minutes.
Kogan Page and the Independent Publishing Awards
In this episode of the IPG Podcast we talk to Helen Kogan of Kogan Page, a two-time winner at the IPG's 2019 Independent Publishing Awards. Helen talks about the impact of the awards on her business, the strategies and achievements that led to them, and the value of long-term independence to Kogan Page. First aired: July 2019. Duration: 11 minutes.
Sam Hutchinson and managing an independent publisher
In this episode of the IPG Podcast we talk to Sam Hutchinson, co-director of IPG member b small publishing and the 2018 IPG Young Independent Publisher of the Year. Sam tells us about his career in publishing so far and what he enjoys about running a small business, and shares a few pieces of advice for young people wanting to get on in the industry. First aired: November 2018. Duration: 17 minutes.
Sweet Cherry Publishing and growing a business
Sweet Cherry has been one of children's publishing's fastest growing companies in the last couple of years, and in this episode of the IPG Podcast we talk to its founder and managing director Abdul Thadha. Abdul tells us his story and about the ups and downs of running a business, and talks in particular about the challenge of recruiting and upskilling staff as the business grows. First aired: April 2019. Duration: 20 minutes.
Tim Williams and the Independent Publishing Awards
With entries for the IPG's 2019 Independent Publishing Awards now open, this episode of the IPG Podcast hears from Tim Williams, managing director of Edward Elgar Publishing, who won the flagship prize at our 2017 Awards. Tim tells us what it feels like to win the Award and how it has benefited Edward Elgar in the two years since, and shares some advice for other publishers entering the Awards. First aired: February 2019. Duration: 10 minutes.
50 years of Carcanet Press
As literary publisher Carcanet Press celebrates 50 years in business, we talk to its founder and managing director Michael Schmidt. Michael looks back on the ups and downs of the last half-century—from publishing Nobel Prize winners to coming close to going out of business—and discusses big changes in the market over that time. First aired: April 2019. Duration: 18 minutes.
Cordee and travel publishing
With many independent publishers so buoyant in the area of guidebook publishing at the moment, this episode of the IPG Podcast talks to Jim Wilson of outdoor book distributor Cordee. As well as discussing the state of the market, Jim talks about some of the many non-traditional sales channels open to publishers now. First aired: April 2019. Duration: 8 minutes.
Sarah Beal and starting out in independent publishing
What is it like to leave a career with bigger publishers to start your own business? In this episode of the IPG Podcast we talk to Sarah Beal about growing Muswell Press, the ups and downs she's encountered along the way and some of the advantages that independents hold in publishing. First aired: February 2019. Duration: 12 minutes.
Vertebrate and growing a business
In this episode of the IPG Podcast we're talking to Jon Barton, founder of outdoor book and guide specialist Vertebrate Publishing. Jon tells us how Vertebrate came into being and what it's been like to expand the business, and also discusses the issue of funding growth in independent publishing. First aired: June 2019. Duration: 18 minutes.
Diversity and Tiny Owl
With the issue of diversity so high on the agenda in publishing, this episode of the IPG Podcast talks to Phyllida Jacobs of Tiny Owl, which was set up to improve the exposure of diverse cultures and characters in children's books. As well as telling us Tiny Owl's story, Phyllida explains its new Diversity Now! campaign and how other publishers can get involved. First aired: March 2019. Duration: 9 minutes.
Canbury Press and paperback rights
In this episode of the IPG Podcast we’re talking to Martin Hickman, who had a long career in newspapers and journalism before starting up his own independent publisher, Canbury Press. Martin tells us about some of the things he enjoys about running his own business, and discusses a deal he has just done with Hachette for paperback rights to one of his books. First aired: December 2018. Duration: 11 minutes.