Pan Macmillan

Fantastic news from our partners at WHSmith! Thanks to the support of customers, our Gift a Gruffalo campaign with The National Literacy Trust will see more than 12,000 copies of The Gruffalo donated to children in the communities that need books the most. https://lnkd.in/d9Ei6sim

Happy polling day. We're marking the UK general election with a politically-themed book giveaway at The Smithson.

Frank Cottrell-Boyce has been crowned the Waterstones Children's Laureate 2024-2026. The multi award-winning Macmillan Childrens Books author was presented with the bespoke silver Laureate medal by outgoing Waterstones Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho, at a ceremony held at Howard Assembly Room, Leeds earlier today. Cottrell-Boyce launched his Laureateship with a powerful speech declaring his ambitions for children’s books and the life-changing benefits of reading to be ‘taken seriously’. He pledged to dedicate his two-year tenure to igniting a fierce national conversation about the role books and reading can play in transforming children’s lives, referencing the decades of compelling evidence showing that reading for pleasure is the single biggest factor impacting the life-chances of a child, as well as the ‘crisis point’ facing the millions of children now living in poverty, warning: ‘we risk losing a generation unless we act.’ https://lnkd.in/ex5raEDk

Abi Bi has been named the winner of the Mac Prize for Illustration 2024. Bi, who recently completed her degree in illustration at the Cambridge School of Art, received the prize - now in its 39th year - for her entry, It’s Swing Time. Chris Inns, Chair of Judges and Art Director, Macmillan Children’s Books, said: “Abi’s winning entry delighted all of the judges. Her watercolour art is expressive and joyful, and her images are so engaging that it almost disguises the huge amount of skill and artistry that goes into her book. Every page depicts a simple theme, but takes it in a different direction at each turn, revealing a surprise that makes you chuckle every time. Her art has universal appeal and is perfect for children and the adults who read to them.”  https://lnkd.in/eQAWg562

We're delighted that our CEO Joanna Prior has been named as one of 20 top female leaders in the UK and joins Management Today's Women in Leadership Power List 2024. On the Power List website, Joanna is described as an empathetic and purpose-driven leader who "has had a major impact in her two years as CEO of Pan Macmillan." You can view the whole Power List on the Management Today website - https://lnkd.in/gxuY3Mz3 #managementtoday #womeninleadershippowerlist #leadership #publishing

Thank you to The Voice for this fantastic write-up of our Writers on the Rise mentoring initiative in partnership with the Black British Book Festival. “It has been inspiring to witness the growth and enthusiasm of the participants as they gain confidence and insight into the publishing industry. We look forward to seeing their future successes as they continue on their literary journey.” - Emma Bravo, Communications Director at Picador and Partnerships https://lnkd.in/e5Rvg7p4

"I've come to understand how important it is to have really talented, brilliant dedicated people in what are seen as the non-publishing roles ... It's also a great way to build inclusion and bring people from different backgrounds into the publishing industry with skillsets that are not traditional in publishing. These are vital roles in the business." Our COO James Long talks to Lucy Nathan about sustainability, his love of audio, and the importance of change in this month's Bookbrunch interview. https://lnkd.in/dxk8B6Qj

Congratulations to Jodie Lancet-Grant, Associate Publisher at Bluebird (and talented children's author) for doing such a fantastic job guest editing the LGBTQ+ focus issue of The Bookseller, published today. The beautiful cover illustration is by Theo Parish, the author and illustrator of Homebody published by Macmillan Children's Books. Becky Lushey, Pan Marketing Manager and co-Chair of Pan Macmillan Pride network, has written a brilliant feature about LGBTQ+ networks in publishing houses. Picador author Garth Greenwell is interviewed about his forthcoming novel Small Rain, publishing in September. ....and finally, Bluebird author Rox Bourdillon (whose memoir What a Girl Wants publishes next year) interviews author Juno Dawson. https://lnkd.in/ecQgDuf6

We are delighted that the new issue of The Bookseller has a LGBTQ+ focus. It has been guest-edited by the talented Jodie Lancet-Grant, Associate Editor for Bluebird and the cover has been illustrated by the wonderful Theo Parish, author of Homebody. Enjoy reading everyone.

It was an honour to welcome Colm Tóibín to The Smithson yesterday to celebrate the publication of his new book, Long Island. The long-awaited sequel to the much-beloved Brooklyn, Long Island is his masterpiece: an exquisite, exhilariting novel that asks whether it's possible to truly return to the past and renew the great love that seemed gone forever.