Pan Macmillan

It is with immense sadness that we announce that Nicholas “Nicky” Byam Shaw, former Macmillan Publishers CEO and Chairman, died on Wednesday 25th September aged 90. As a visionary CEO and Chairman of Macmillan Publishers for over 30 years Byam Shaw transformed Macmillan into a global force, expanding its reach and influence. His many contributions to Nature Publishing Group, Macmillan Education, St. Martin’s Press, Pan Macmillan and Picador, to name a few, remain testament to his enduring legacy. Byam Shaw joined Macmillan in 1964 as a sales manager, having previously worked at Collins for eight years. He was appointed deputy managing director of the UK trade companies in 1967 before becoming managing director from 1969 until 1990. He later became chairman from 1990 until 1998 and also served as chair of imprints Pan and St. Martin’s Press, before retiring in 1999. Stefan Von Holtzbrinck, CEO, Holtzbrinck Publishing Group said: “Nicky Byam Shaw was a rare leader who blended a deep intellectual curiosity with sharp business insight. His leadership was not just about economic success but about fostering a culture of excellence and human connection. We are deeply indebted to him. Our deepest sympathies go out to Nicky’s family and friends at this difficult time.” A full tribute written by Stefan von Holtzbrinck can be found on our website (link in the comments below). #NicholasByamShaw #NickyByamShaw #inmemory

As friends of Julia and Malcolm Donaldson we express our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the family following the death of Malcolm Donaldson on Sunday (22 September 2024). Many in the world of children's books will know Malcolm as the incredibly talented and supportive husband of bestselling author Julia Donaldson whose shared love of music, songs and storytelling has delighted families worldwide. Alison Ruane, M.D., Macmillan Children’s Books said: "We will remember Malcolm for his kindness, warmth and extraordinary commitment to children – as part of Julia’s world of storytelling, but also as a widely respected paediatrician, academic and teacher. He had many friends at Macmillan Children’s Books, those fortunate to spend time with him participating in the shows he and Julia staged, singing along with his guitar as he entertained children in Julia’s signing queues, or talking about the delightful business of books over lunch. “Malcolm was hugely supportive of the children’s publishing industry and made many friends among the authors and illustrators he met over the years. He always went above and beyond for Julia and for her team, particularly during her tenure as Children’s Laureate (2011-2013) when he accompanied her on a tour of libraries from John O’Groats to Land’s End. He’d always take the cast photo after one of their performances and never failed to thank everyone who helped to make the event a success. “Malcolm will be deeply missed and our heartfelt sympathies are with Julia and her family at this difficult time.”

Shameless. Nosy. Brutal. 🙌 Three of nine ‘negative’ traits that will help us to get what we want. It’s by reclaiming these traits that we can supercharge our chances of getting ahead according to career coach and former Google executive Jenny Wood. 🎯 Jenny’s groundbreaking coaching programme has is inspired by her upcoming book Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It (Macmillan Business) and this week she led a career seminar at Pan Macmillan where she encouraged us to (unapologetically) go after our goals. 💬 “Reclaim negative words as the courage to stand out, to stand up for what you want, to set your own standards, to raise the bar, to influence others…These are three of the nine traits that will get in our way, creating the bars of an invisible cage and keeping us small.” ❌ “Shameless”. The courage to stand behind your efforts, abilities and talents. 75% of employees lack confidence at work. Acknowledge the imposter syndrome we feel every day. ❌ “Nosy”. We’re rarely going to get an invitation to get a raise or to work on a big exciting project. Don’t wait for the invitation - you can ask the question yourself. ❌ “Brutal”. Say yes to the big and no to the small. “Own your calendar, your desire to please people and your energy”. 📕You can pre-order Wild Courage now before it publishes next year. #wildcourage #jennywood #careeradvice #careertips #goals #coaching

We can't wait for this years Black British Book Festival at the Barbican Centre on Saturday 5th October. If you're interested in becoming a published author or illustrator or working in the publishing industry, we'll be running drop in sessions on our stand where you can find out more from our teams: ✏ Drop in session for aspiring authors and illustrators 📍 Level G Foyer, Pan Macmillan stand ⌚ 10.30am - 12pm 📚 Drop in session for aspiring publishers - all roles, from editorial to marketing, design to finance) 📍Level G Foyer, Pan Macmillan stand ⌚3.30pm - 5pm We look forward to seeing you there! #blackbritishbookfestival #bbbf #careers #careersinpublishing

Yesterday we were lucky enough to welcome CBeebies presenter (and Strictly 2022 champion) Hamza Yassin to The Smithson for celebratory moment ahead of the publication of Hamza's Wild World tomorrow (Macmillan Children's Books) 🐳 🐅 🐊 The perfect gift for animal fans, Hamza brings you everything you will ever need to know about the animal kingdom in this fun, fascinating guide packed with hundreds of funny, smelly, awesome, scary, revolting, weird, cute, clever and amazing facts, and illustrations, photos and infographics. A dyslexic-friendly layout, made in consultation with Dyslexia Scotland, makes this perfect for every child. #HamzaYassin #HamzasWildWorld #MacmillanChildrensBooks

You'll NEVER believe who our special guest was at this year's Gardners Trade Show... 🎶 Singer, songwriter and musician Rick Astley spoke to an audience of 400 booksellers about his upcoming autobiography Never and happily posed for photos with dozens of eager fans. Publishing 10th October, Never is an intimate look at the man behind the hits - and is a portrait of truth, artistic evolution and the power of contentment. The Gardners Trade Show in Hinckley Island, Leicestershire was the opening event of The Booksellers Association's annual conference. Yesterday new president Fleur Sinclair of Sevenoaks Bookshop opened with a speech on how she will prioritise "encouraging more people of colour into the trade". Read more below. #GardnersTradeShow #BooksellersAssociation #BAConference #bookshops #RickAstley #Never https://lnkd.in/eTWHnSmy

As The Labour Party conference kicked off in Liverpool today, Sara Lloyd, Group Communications Director and Global AI Lead, took part in a News Media Association panel discussion on how an AI Bill can save creativity and spur investment in high quality content, bringing the importance of book content, authors and illustrators and the livelihood of the creative industries in general to the debate. #LPC24 #artificialintelligence #AI #AIbill #creativeindustries #content #IP #copyright https://lnkd.in/eCESs44u

We are excited to be welcoming Jodie Williams as our new Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Social Impact this week. Previously, Williams was the group head of diversity and inclusion at the Sytner Group and has 15 years’ experience in corporate social responsibility and DEI roles, including at ITV, National Express and Yorkshire Water. She is also a board member for two charities: GIPSIL, which works with vulnerable young people to provide housing-related support, and health and social care charity Harrogate Skills 4 Living. Williams has been shortlisted in the head of DEI category at the European Diversity Awards and the Inclusive Companies Awards and in 2019 was listed in the top 100 Northern Power Women Future List. Briony Grogan, director of people and culture, said: "Jodie has an excellent track record of driving meaningful organisational change, including working collaboratively with employee resource groups (ERGs) to embed DEI across the workplace. Joanna Prior, c.e.o. of Pan Macmillan, added: "Our responsibility as publishers is to get books into the hands of as many people as we can. Jodie’s track record of delivering tangible results, combined with her passion for books and literacy, make her the ideal candidate for this role." #DEI #representation #publishing https://lnkd.in/ez-RTWNt

We are excited to announce that Saoirse Ronan is set to narrate a new audio editon of Colm Tóibín’s bestselling novel Brooklyn. Ronan also starred in the Oscar and BAFTA-nominated adaptation of the book. Rebecca Lloyd, Audio Publishing Director, said: “We’re thrilled to be bringing Colm’s titles to Picador’s audio list and are hugely excited to introduce new listeners to Colm’s spectacular writing.” Ronan said: “I had the honour of playing Eilis Lacey in the film adaptation of Colm Toibin’s book Brooklyn, and now I’m recording the audiobook for Picador. I couldn’t be more privileged to bring this beautiful book to life, it’s something that is so personal to me and it will always have a special place in my heart.” Tóibín said: “I have long been a big admirer of Saoirse Ronan’s work. It is a tremendous gift that she has made this wonderful audio recording of my novel Brooklyn. She already graced the film with her great talent, her flawless performance. Now she has done more: she has made the words come alive with her voice.” Picador will publish the new audiobook of Brooklyn on 17 October. #ColmTóibín #SaoirseRonan #brooklyn #picador #audiobook https://lnkd.in/d4-VcJGp

It was a privilege to welcome Waterstones Children's Laureate (2024-2026) and award-winning Macmillan Children's Books author Frank Cottrell-Boyce at The Smithson yesterday. On the announcement of his laureateship in July Frank delivered 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 national conversation about the role books and reading can play in transforming children’s lives. He shared these inspiring words with us again yesterday and we raised a toast to his success in this prestigious and vitally important role. #frankcottrellboyce #childrenslaureate #waterstoneschildrenslaureate #macmillanchildrensbooks #readingtransformslives #booksbuildabrighterfuture