The SoA Advisory Clinic: Making the most of your publishing experience, from London Book Fair
Release Date: 06/09/2024
Streaming now… an investigation into subscription models for online audiobooks
SoA Sounds
The growth in audiobooks continues apace and as publishers and authors work to establish new routes to market, that growth is clearly a cause for celebration but as we celebrate its meteoric rise, we question its equity. With the rise of streaming on demand on subscription, we break down the definitions, interrogate the payment models and survey the landscape of who is offering what. This podcast is brought to you thanks to the kind sponsorship of the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society. Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year’s membership. ...
info_outline
Our words, not yours: the Meta protest
SoA Sounds
On the 3rd April 2025, the Society of Authors organised a day of action in protest of Meta’s alleged use of pirated works online to train their Llama AI without permission or payment. In this special podcast we take you back in support of that protest and thank all writers, readers and others for your continued and ongoing support as we continue to navigate the stormy weather wrought by the unregulated field of Artificial Intelligence, and the crucial role played by creators and their works in developments that threaten their future livelihoods and careers. Featuring contributions from Abie...
info_outline
What Does a Publisher Actually Do? from London Book Fair
SoA Sounds
What can you expect from a traditional publisher and where do they add value? How can writers spot worthwhile publishing deals and run for the hills from a dodgy one? And what of pets for online marketing? Step into the SoA Advisory Clinic to learn about all this and more as we bring you another chance to catch up on an event originally produced as part of the London Book Fair’s Writers’ Summit 2025. Featuring the Deputy Chief Executive of the SoA, Sarah Burton, writers Penny Batchelor, Mark Edwards, and SoA Fellow and writer, Philip Womack. This podcast is brought to you thanks to...
info_outline
The SoA Advisory Clinic: Attention, class!
SoA Sounds
Children are the future and children’s literacy in schools is therefore one of our greatest societal concerns. And so, as celebrations draw to a close on another World Book Day and co-host of the podcast Johanna Clarke steps away from the studio to welcome a child of her own, we speak to writers Ian Billings and Davina Hamilton on the role of children’s writers in schools. We also hear from Deborah Maclaren all about her Love Reading for Kids initiative as she teaches us what parents, carers, teachers and librarians can do to support children’s writing in schools and how writers can...
info_outline
The SoA Advisory Clinic: Roll Up & Read All About It: the business of journalism for writers
SoA Sounds
Roll up and read all about it! The Society of Authors was founded in 1884 and almost immediately the thoroughly Victorian writer Sir Walter Besant became the conductor of its in-house journal The Author. But what would Walter Bessant think of the challenges facing the SoA today? What of The Author and the thoughts of its current editor, James McConnachie? How does journal commissioning work in practice and how can authors get involved? Join Johanna Clarke and Theo Jones as they interrogate these burning questions and more in this timely investigation from the Society of Authors Advisory...
info_outline
The SoA Advisory Clinic: Throw us a line: help save audio drama
SoA Sounds
The world of audio drama is a world unlike any other. A world with untold potential and prospect, but as the BBC announce the completement abandonment of the renowned Drama on 3 slot on BBC Radio 3 we hear from a host of radio stars to understand what makes the form in general and that slot in particular so very special. This bonus special episode is brought to you in support of the campaign to Save Audio Drama in association with Equity and the WGGB. Pledge your support here: Featuring contributions from Linda Marshall Griffiths, Paterson Joseph, Nell Leyson, Andrew MacCaldon, Timberlake...
info_outline
The SoA Advisory Clinic: Money Matters: Ask the experts on tax, with HW Fisher
SoA Sounds
When should a freelance writer register for self-assessment with HMRC? What do they need to file and what records should they keep? And how can they minimise the amount of tax they need to pay? Join tax consultant and honorary treasurer of the Society of Authors, Barry Kernon, as he discusses all these burning questions and more in this special Q&A live podcast recording from the offices of HW Fisher, hosted by the Advisory Clinic’s Johanna Clarke and Theo Jones. Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year’s membership. ...
info_outline
The SoA Advisory Clinic: The Big Conversation: AI and author incomes
SoA Sounds
Developments in artificial intelligence continue to threaten creators’ livelihoods and careers with companies continuing to challenge claims of alleged copyright infringement in court and to lobby government for changes to the law. What infringement action is being taken and how clear is the legislation? What legitimate licensing models are being developed and what do they mean for creators? And what of the wider socio-economic implications both for the present and for the future? Join SoA Advisory Clinic hosts Johanna Clarke and Theo Jones for this bonus special episode as they bring...
info_outline
The SoA Advisory Clinic: Loading... Writing for video games: an introduction to the business
SoA Sounds
A recent report from UKIE (The Association for UK Interactive Entertainment) has found that the UK video games market continues to grow reaching a value of £7.82bn in 2023. But what does the video games industry look like for writers? What skills are needed and what creative opportunities are on offer? How are writers contracted and how are they paid? What of the importance of collective voice in this sector, of inclusivity and diversity concerns and what of the need for cross-industry participation and collaboration? And what of the tech and what of the future? Join SoA Advisory Clinic...
info_outline
The SoA Advisory Clinic: Stop, thief! A guide to copyright infringement and enforcement for writers
SoA Sounds
The UK’s copyright laws protect writers by handing them exclusive rights in relation their original creative work. But how can writers best protect themselves and what does a writer need to do before using the work of others? In the event of an apparent infringement, how can a creator ensure they have a clear and unambiguous claim and what steps can they take? What efforts are being made more widely to combat pirates engaged in widespread infringements and what action against AI companies allegedly training their systems on copyright-protected works without consent? Join SoA Advisory clinic...
info_outlineEveryone knows that the various paths to publication are paved with obstacles and challenges, but what do those routes actually look like? What challenges and opportunities do they pose? How can you prepare yourself for the bumpy ride and what support is out there for you? Join Johanna as she chairs a panel of writers, all with differing experiences, discussing all of this and more in this latest episode from the Advisory Clinic team at the Society of Authors in an event originally delivered as part of the London Book Fair 2024. Featuring Alice McIlroy, Tabitha Rayne, Josh Fletcher and Hazel Mead.
Show notes:
Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year’s membership.
The Business of Working with Literary Agents https://vimeo.com/760225290
The London Book Fair | Defining the Future of Creative Content
Industry Insider – Making the most of London Book Fair - The Society of Authors
Illustration | artist (hazelmead.com)
WHY AREN'T WE TALKING ABOUT THIS?! (penguin.co.uk)
Erotic Magazine For Couples & Women Blog - FrolicMe
McIlroy, Alice | RCW Literary Agency (rcwlitagency.com)
The Glass Woman a book by Alice McIlroy. (bookshop.org)
School Of Anxiety | Anxiety Help
And How Does That Make You Feel? by Joshua Fletcher | Hachette UK
Neuralink's first human patient able to control mouse through thinking, Musk says | Reuters
Join the SoA - The Society of Authors
Contributors: Hazel Mead, Tabitha Rayne, Joshua Fletcher, Alice McIlroy, Johanna Clarke (as chair)