The State of It! Conversations on Publishing

Join author, Syd Moore, as she discusses the current state of the UK publishing industry with experts and professionals.

Saturday 21st June 2025, 2.00 – 4.30pm

Venue: Cobham Lodge, Westcliff-on-Sea

What is the impact of AI on the world of books? Why are authors concerned? How do you get published in this current climate? Do you need an agent or can you go solo? Which is better: self-publishing or traditional? What makes a bestseller? Is the book becoming extinct?

To find the answers to these burning questions join author, Syd Moore, as she discusses the current state of the UK publishing industry with experts and professionals.

The afternoon opens with a discussion with literary agent Sandra Sawicka from the Marjacq agency. The second panel will comprise Julian Ball, Head of Sales at One World Publications; Daniel Newman, author of DJ Chronicles Trilogy (self-published). We will also be joined by Blanche Carballo, marketing consultant, whose work explores the evolving landscape of the publishing industry, examining the impact of AI, the rise of self-publishing, and the growing popularity of audiobooks and eBooks.

Come along on Saturday 21st, to enjoy the chats, have a cup of tea, eat cake and get the inside scoop on the future of books.

Click here to book your place!

Date: 21st June 2025
Time: 2 – 4.30pm
Venue: Cobham Lodge, 2 Cobham Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea SS0 8EA
Price: £20 includes coffee, tea and light refreshments
Box Office: tickettailor.com/events/stevensonproductions

Sandra Sawicka – Literary Agent

Sandra Sawicka has been an agent with the London-based Marjacq Agency for over ten years, joining in 2014. Her main interests are genre fiction (SFF, speculative, crime, horror) and YA. She also handles translation rights for all authors represented by Marjacq. Currently Sawicka represents over 20 authors, including Alex North.

Julian Ball – Head of Sales, One World Publishing

Julian has worked in the publishing industry for over twenty years. He is currently Sales Director at One World Publications Ltd, an independent publishing house focusing on stimulating non-fiction. Now publishing over 100 books a year, Oneworld has retained its founding commitment to the old-fashioned principles of great writing, editorial excellence, high production values, and marketing flair, to produce books that are read by the intellectually curious all over the world.

Daniel Newman – Self-published Author

Daniel Newman is a photographer, writer and DJ based in South East Essex. Throughout the 90s and early 00s he was a photographer and journalist for a number of music magazines. He is married with three children.

His novels include Essex Boy Ravers, Love, Sex & Dirty Money and Coke B*tch, released under the pseudonym Asha Gold. His DJ Chronicles trilogy explores the wildest edges of the DJ lifestyle. His writing style is fast, funny, dark and sexy.

Blanche Carballo – Consultant and Study Author

Blanche is an accomplished digital marketing consultant with extensive experience leading cross-channel strategies for top brands including Bonnier Books UK, Equifax, and Kat Maconie. A Visiting Lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire she is also a mentor with Bridging Barriers, supporting underrepresented young talent.

Blanche holds an MSc in Strategic Marketing with Global Business Development (Distinction) from the University of Hertfordshire. Her dissertation, produced in collaboration with Bonnier Books UK, explored the evolving landscape of the publishing industry, examining the impact of AI, the rise of self-publishing, and the growing popularity of audiobooks and eBooks. Her research, insights and recommendations are valuable takeaways for publishers and authors across the industry and readers with an interest in the ever-changing world of books.

Syd Moore – Author

Best known for her Essex Witch Museum Mysteries (Strange Magic, Strange Sight, Strange Fascination, Strange Tombs, Strange Tricks) which were shortlisted for the Good Reader Holmes and Watson Award 2018 Syd Moore has also written short stories – The Twelve Strange Days of Christmas (2019) and The Twelve Even Stranger Days of Christmas (2020) both of which were shortlisted for the ‘dagger awards’ by the Crime Writers Association.

Harper Collins have published two standalone novels, The Drowning Pool and Witch Hunt which became a bestseller. The Grand Illusion, a novel about how the British Secret Service exploited the Nazi’s preoccupation with the occult, was published in 2024. Her book The Witching Hour was one of the bestselling (no. 12) mystery titles of 2024.

In 2019 Moore became a Royal Literary Fund Fellow and now pioneers Reading Rounds for them in hospices. For nine years prior to writing she was a lecturer and worked extensively in the publishing industry. In the 90s she presented Channel 4’s book programme, Pulp. She is the founder of The Essex Girls Liberation Front and, in 2020, was successful in campaigning to have the derogatory definition of the ‘Essex Girl’ removed from the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary.

Stephanie Stevenson – host

Steph has worked extensively in the Arts and Charity sectors. She spent 13 years working for Arts organisation Metal based in Chalkwell Park, Westcliff on Sea, and worked on numerous events and festivals during her time there including Village Green Arts and Culture festival, Village Beach, Estuary Festival, Essex Writers House, and many more. She has recently spent the last year at A Better Start Southend – a 10-year lottery funded charity, organising various community events, workshops and sessions for families of preschool children.