'Discover With' webinar - publishing (editorial)

Closing date for sign ups: Thursday 19th November 2026 at 12pm midday

Webinar date: Thursday 19th November 2026

Time: 5pm to 6pm

Place: Online via Zoom

Love books and curious about how they’re made? Discover careers in book editorial, from working with authors and developing manuscripts to helping shape the books that reach readers.

'Discover With' is a new online webinar series designed to help people approaching the start of their working life to better understand the creative industries and the many pathways into them. The webinar series is one of many activities aimed at young people as part of the UK-wide Discover Creative Careers programme.

Each session will feature employers and industry professionals sharing insight into different roles, routes into the sector, useful skills and experience, and opportunities for progression. Speakers may also highlight current vacancies, training programmes and other opportunities where relevant.

Whether you're considering your next steps, exploring different career options or looking to break into the creative industries, these sessions are designed to help you better understand the opportunities available and hear directly from the people working within them.

All webinar recordings will be available as part of a growing resource bank.

If you're 16+ and looking to build a career in the creative industries, sign up to to learn more about the publishing industry!

Join this virtual webinar to learn:

• Routes into the industry
• What different roles involve day-to-day
• Useful skills and experience
• Career progression and opportunities
• Current vacancies or recruitment initiatives (where relevant)

Q&A - There’ll also be an opportunity at the end of the webinar to put your questions directly to our panellists. Whether you’re curious about getting started in the publishing industry, want to hear more about their career journeys, or have questions about specific roles and opportunities, this is your chance to ask!

About the speakers:

Danai Denga (She/Her) - "I’m Danai and I find bios to be a bit awkward but necessary. I am a Commissioning Editor who finds traces of my identity in Harare, Nottingham, Birmingham and London. I work within the #Merky Books, Enlighten, and Cornerstone Press imprints at Penguin Random House UK. I believe that there are so many causes to devote yourself toward, but it can feel exhausting. For that reason, publishing is my arena for change. I currently run the #Merky Books prize along with the rest of the #Merky team; it means a lot for me to do whatever I can to break down the barriers that can exist within publishing. Although I primarily acquire in the non-fiction space, I have had experience in fiction publishing. I have worked with authors such as Rivers Solomon, Sabrina Zohar and Adrienne Adhami (to name a few). I can also be found joining most conversations about astrology and negotiating with my body about eating cheese".

Dushi Horti (She/Her) - Dushi is a freelance editor and writer, and a trustee at community-focused literacy charity Doorstep Library. She previously worked as a commissioning editor at HarperCollins, commissioning and editing bestselling romance novels, crime fiction and psychological thrillers.

More panellists TBC!

To sign up for the 'Discover With' session, please:

• Log in to your Creative Access account or register today 
• Click 'apply'. You will be asked to upload a CV or Cover Letter, but please upload a blank document as these are not required for the sessions
• If you have questions prior to submitting an application please submit these via the registration form