Ahead of Demystify Publishing on 15 November 2025, we spoke to Martin Refern, Editor; Areen Ali, publisher and Caitlin Raynor, Publishing Director at Headline. We asked them what they are looking forward to about the day, what they’re enjoying reading at the moment, and they shared some advice for writers looking to get their work published too. Here’s what they had to say.
‘Learn the market! Go to bookshops and look at what’s on tables and coming up in events. Go to a supermarket and see how the books they sell might look very different to the ones in your local indie. Where do you want your book to be? Who publishes books like the one you’re writing?’ – Caitlin Raynor, Publicity Director, Headline
Caitlin Raynor, Publicity Director
What are you looking forward to most at Demystify Publishing day?
As a publicist, events are a big part of our job and we always enjoy getting out and about and putting our writers in a room with their readers. You can’t beat a bookshop, workshop or festival to see enthusiasm for books, writing and reading coming to life in front of you! We also love to get our staff involved in events so that is what I’m looking forward to on the day – it’s great to get them sharing their expert knowledge but also getting enthused by listening to, learning from and hopefully helping their audience. There is always a new perspective or way of thinking about something to be gained by being in the room talking to lots of different people.
What’s one misconception about traditional publishing that you often hear from emerging writers?
That it is a bit stuck in its ways! I don’t think this is true (although I would say that I suppose!) Publishing is always evolving and there is definitely room for many different ways of doing it. Again as a publicist who works very closely with marketing teams, I’m constantly excited by the creative campaigns I see from traditional publishers. And they’re really good at targeting the people who they think will love that particular book.
Can you tell us about a novel you’ve read recently that’s really excited you?
The new Chloe Benjamin UNDER STORY that we are publishing in September 2026. I was lucky enough to work on her last book THE IMMORTALISTS which I loved and so was so delighted when I heard about this! I was blown away by it. It has huge scope but also is incredibly intimate. It’s speculative fiction but with a love story that’s entirely recognisable. It is about grief but also wonder. And is one of those books that lingers in your mind and really make you look at the world a little differently. It explores the possibility of second chances in an entirely unique way. I cannot wait to get it into readers hands!
What one piece of advice would you give to an unpublished author who is looking to get their book out in the world?
Learn the market! Go to bookshops and look at what’s on tables and coming up in events. Go to a supermarket and see how the books they sell might look very different to the ones in your local indie. Where do you want your book to be? Who publishes books like the one you’re writing? Go online and follow lots of authors – how do they do it? What do they post about? Where do they sell their books? Look at the bestseller lists – what type of books are having a moment? Find a gang of fellow writers and support each other on the journey. And of course, buy the Writers and Artists Yearbook or go read it in the library so you can learn about different agents and publishers.
Areen Ali, Senior Commissioning Editor
What are you looking forward to most at Demystify Publishing day?
I’m expecting to meet lots of new writers hoping to get their work published and to answer any questions they might have about how to get their book on people’s radar. The industry can often feel quite opaque (especially for those who might not already know someone working within it!) and I’m looking forward to help make it a bit more transparent. I’m thinking that by the end of the day, we will have helped to share a bit more insight about how various departments function and how we all work together to bring a book from manuscript to publication.
What kinds of manuscripts really grab your editors’ attention at Headline?
Largely speaking for myself here, but we are always on the lookout for manuscripts that feel really unique and inventive, but also have a commercial proposition. Definitely ones with a fun title! I can’t stress the importance of having a clear and concise pitch, and really nailing your comparison titles. Most editors want to know which books your book could sit alongside on shelves, and what type of readers or what audience you are trying to reach.
Once you’ve signed a new author, what happens next?
This is when the real work begins! We’ll start by introducing them to the team that will be working on their book across various departments like rights, marketing and publicity. As an editor, this is also when I’ll do another full re-read of the manuscript and begin working on an editorial note. Usually, I anticipate about two or three rounds of edits before the manuscript is in decent shape and ready for external copyediting. Once the text is finalised, we’ll begin having conversations about the cover and what visuals the author would like to have presented.
How much collaboration do you like to have with authors on things like titles, covers, and blurbs?
We tend to collaborate a lot with authors on all aspects of the book. I like to think that as publishers what we can provide authors with is our expert opinion on things like titles, covers and blurbs based on our market knowledge but ultimately, it’s their book and they do get final say. At the end of the day, we’re working towards the same goal: having a cover package that feels unique and exciting for readers while also capturing the essence of the book.
What’s one misconception about traditional publishing that you often hear from emerging writers?
One common misconception might be that if you self-publish, you can’t get traditionally published. This is absolutely not true. With the recent boom in romantasy and fantasy, we’re seeing so many authors with a great track record in self-publishing get quickly snapped up by agents and publishers. Self-publishing is a great way to build your audience and publishers love the idea of getting an author on board who has a pre-existing fanbase that will follow along and read whatever they write next.
Can you tell us about a novel you’ve read recently that’s really excited you?
I recently read What Hunger by Catherine Dang, which is a horror novel following its main character, Ronny, who starts having insatiable urges to devour human flesh. What’s surprising and exciting about it is how it explores immigrant identity and food culture through the lens of this Vietnamese daughter and her role within the family.
What one piece of advice would you give to an unpublished author who is looking to get their book out in the world?
Don’t stop trying and don’t be afraid to pivot and grow. The biggest mistake you could make as an unpublished writer is possibly to think that it has to be this one book or idea that you’ve got. In reality, a lot of my authors have had several projects that didn’t really go anywhere before the one that did get them signed. You have to persevere and adapt, the right editor or agent will eventually find you!
Martin Redfern, Publisher
What are you looking forward to most at Demystify Publishing day?
Meeting aspiring writers and providing insights into the role of an editor at a big commercial publisher to help them make their first breakthrough on their publishing journey.
What kinds of manuscripts really grab your editors’ attention at Headline?
As a non-fiction editor, I’m looking for a good story, well told: an original idea, often backed by fresh research, that surprises me and makes me look at the world in a slightly different way.
Once you’ve signed a new author, what happens next?
I will usually meet an author to discuss how we’re going to collaborate during the writing process – I will often read and comment on early chapters so the author is confident they are on the right track to complete the book.
How much collaboration do you like to have with authors on things like titles, covers, and blurbs?
It’s incredibly important – the book is the author’s baby, and their name is on the front! At the same time, as publishers, it is our job to understand the retail trade and the wider market. So, once again, it’s a creative collaboration.
What’s one misconception about traditional publishing that you often hear from emerging writers?
That people who work in publishing are just publishing for themselves and not to service the tastes of the wider reading public.
Can you tell us about a novel you’ve read recently that’s really excited you?
Our Evenings by Alan Hollingurst is an extraordinarily evocative novel that took me back to my own childhood and brought up memories I had buried deeply.
What one piece of advice would you give to an unpublished author who is looking to get their book out in the world?
Be persistent!
Demystify Publishing with Headline, in partnership with New Writing South
Demystify Publishing | 15th November 2025 The Old Courthouse | Price: £30
