Always dreamed of a career in publishing? Come along to learn from the experts, get hands-on experience, and ask your burning questions!

Have you always dreamed of a career in publishing? Do you want to learn more about the different roles and how to access them? Come along to Publishing Insights Day 2026 to learn from the experts, ask all your burning questions, and get hands-on experience tackling publishing tasks.

This event is a full day of talks and interactive sessions with leading publishing professionals from organisation such as Orion, Comma Press, Liverpool Literary Agency and more. If you’re looking to enter the world of publishing, or you’re in the early stages of your career, this is the perfect opportunity to hear from industry experts, learn more about the different roles on offer, and ask any questions you might have about about publishing.

It is held in partnership with Comma Press and Manchester Metropolitan University, with tickets generously sponsored by Society of Young Publishers North.

This event will feature:
An introduction to publishing from CEO and founder of Comma Press Ra Page, with an overview of the main roles in a publishing house

A panel discussion on CV and Key Skills: What Emplopyers are Looking For

A Young Publishers Q+A and networking – your chance to ask young publishing stars about their careers, roles and journeys

Four deep-dive sessions on Editorial, Marketing, Setting Up Your Own Small Press, and Agenting, during which you will hear from a leading publisher in that role, learn how they got there and what a day in their life looks like, and complete a workshop-style publishing task to get some hands-on experience of what it’s like to work in the role (attendees will attend ONE of these four sessions. Sessions are assigned on a first come, first served basis).

Full programme and speakers will be announced in due course

*Student discounts and sponsored tickets available.

If you would like to claim a student discount on your ticket, please get in touch on isabella.barber[at]commapress.co.uk from your student email address. If you would like to claim a sponsored ticket for underrepresented attendees, please get in touch for more information.*