First Friday is our monthly conversation with an industry professional which gives our community a chance to learn more about the writing and publishing industry.

Ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes at a major publishing house? Join us for a fascinating insider’s look at the publishing industry with Anna O’Grady, Director of Publicity at Simon & Schuster Australia.

With more than 25 years of international experience in the book trade, Anna O’Grady has worked across Australia, New Zealand, North America and Europe. A third-generation member of a family of booksellers and publishers, she brings a wealth of industry knowledge and a lifelong passion for literature to her work. She has also spent more than a decade as part of Simon & Schuster Australia’s acquisitions team, giving her valuable insight into how books are selected, published and put into the hands of readers.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to hear directly from someone working at the heart of Australian publishing and ask your own burning questions!

This event starts online at 12:30pm, via Zoom, and will run for 60 minutes. If there is time, we will take audience questions at the end. This event is free and open to members and non-members, but RSVPs are essential. You can also submit a question for Anna in the ‘Additional Information – Order Notes’ section at checkout.

If you have additional access needs please contact us at info@writingnsw.org.au or 02 9555 9757.

Registered attendees will receive a link to access this event prior to the start time.

Anna O’Grady is Director of Publicity at Simon & Schuster Australia, where she has spent 12 years on the acquisition team, bringing a marketing and publicity perspective shaped by a lifetime immersed in books. She comes from the third generation of a family of booksellers and publishers, and she has over 25 years of experience in the book trade in Australia and overseas. This experience gives her a distinctive edge in marketing: she knows how to position books and authors for audiences in vastly different territories and cultures.

Anna gets immense satisfaction from bringing new books and authors to wider audiences, and building the relationships across all sectors of the publishing industry to ensure that books and stories that matter attain the recognition they deserve.