Oh my! This brought me right back to my days a publishing girly (in the much less glamorous realm of children’s books) ten years earlier. You should DEFINITELY write a book with this backdrop !
I felt as giddy as a young Harrie reading this wonderful post full of nostalgia and truth bombs. Please write your memoirs and call them Publishing Babylon.
You made me laugh so much. I realise my terrible City experiences were at least 10 years before yours in publishing but sadly nothing seemed to change in that decade?
HighStreetKen! I still call it this, in my head, not out loud if I remember. But now I will when with you.
I was working in magazines around the same time and this really captures the irrepressible sunny optimism, ‘anything could happen’ nature of working in media in London at the time. Hop on a bus to the Savoy to interview a celebrity! Attend a party at the French ambassador’s house with fake snow, real reindeer, and the crème of French acting talent (I nearly blinded Catherine Deneuve by the champagne fountain)! Traipse home with a bag fully of beauty products that cost more than your rent! We were giddy - and so lucky. Xx
I TOO went to a party at the French ambassadors house!!! it was the post premiere party of Amelie and it was after Lisa Jewell's publication dinner at the Berkeley Hotel - we gatecrashed it, i can't remember why we knew it was happening and the ambassador appeared in a dressing gown to ask us all to leave. AND I met neil and christine hamilton - less glamorous.
This takes me back to when I began working as a marketing assistant at Heinemann (Reed Elsevier) in March(!) 1993 where I was very much in awe of Helen Fraser and Tom Weldon. What a lovely reaction from Helen - I did something similar, as a new editorial assistant at Hodder & Stoughton, which did not end nearly so well! I am sorry to learn about John Hamilton's sad death. Post cover meeting Thursday pub lunches were a lot of fun, largely due to him! Thanks very much for the trip down memory lane. x
I loved this post. My 23 year old daughter is just starting out in her career as a publishing girly, having only ever wanted to work in publishing since around the age of 12. I really hope she will still have a future in the industry... She has grown up in France, and is working for a mid-sized independent publisher in Paris. She loves the job - but am not sure it is as much fun as London in the 90s was!
So, so good, H. So many memories - you have captured them perfectly. 7 April 1997 is a date for the history books. I shall forever be grateful that you started at Michael Joseph. ❤️
The War & Peace artwork is now by my (bit of the) office! Well, technically just outside Tom W’s office (Embassy Gardens, 9th floor). I’m obsessed with it.
No, for some unknown reason it's just about the only work in the building that isn't labelled - I'm not even sure how I know what it is (never worked in Wright's Lane!). Next time you're in, get someone to bring you up...
HighStreetKen! This was the centre of all glamour in my eyes. This is such an evocative piece, I can smell the CKOne and the Marlboro Lights being waved by floppy haired boys. I shall spend the morning happily plagued by teenage flashbacks as I clean out the chickens. X
Oh my! This brought me right back to my days a publishing girly (in the much less glamorous realm of children’s books) ten years earlier. You should DEFINITELY write a book with this backdrop !
I have already sort of, it was called Happily Ever After and is much beloved by me anyway. Aw Claire thanks so much I'm glad you enjoyed it. x
Straight onto my tbr list!
Mine too!
Mine too! A wonderful and thoroughly enjoyable reminder! Thank you x
Thank you Laura! Xx
I felt as giddy as a young Harrie reading this wonderful post full of nostalgia and truth bombs. Please write your memoirs and call them Publishing Babylon.
Thanks so much dear S. I'm still high on lunch that's the reason xx
I remember meeting Helen Fraser when I was a brand new assistant at Puffin. She was so polite and welcoming.
You made me laugh so much. I realise my terrible City experiences were at least 10 years before yours in publishing but sadly nothing seemed to change in that decade?
HighStreetKen! I still call it this, in my head, not out loud if I remember. But now I will when with you.
I was working in magazines around the same time and this really captures the irrepressible sunny optimism, ‘anything could happen’ nature of working in media in London at the time. Hop on a bus to the Savoy to interview a celebrity! Attend a party at the French ambassador’s house with fake snow, real reindeer, and the crème of French acting talent (I nearly blinded Catherine Deneuve by the champagne fountain)! Traipse home with a bag fully of beauty products that cost more than your rent! We were giddy - and so lucky. Xx
I TOO went to a party at the French ambassadors house!!! it was the post premiere party of Amelie and it was after Lisa Jewell's publication dinner at the Berkeley Hotel - we gatecrashed it, i can't remember why we knew it was happening and the ambassador appeared in a dressing gown to ask us all to leave. AND I met neil and christine hamilton - less glamorous.
This takes me back to when I began working as a marketing assistant at Heinemann (Reed Elsevier) in March(!) 1993 where I was very much in awe of Helen Fraser and Tom Weldon. What a lovely reaction from Helen - I did something similar, as a new editorial assistant at Hodder & Stoughton, which did not end nearly so well! I am sorry to learn about John Hamilton's sad death. Post cover meeting Thursday pub lunches were a lot of fun, largely due to him! Thanks very much for the trip down memory lane. x
Aw thank you so much for this and sorry for the delay. Can you imagine going to the pub after a cover meeting now. I mean. He was a great man. xx
Hey - no problem! Unthinkable isn't it?! xx
I loved this post. My 23 year old daughter is just starting out in her career as a publishing girly, having only ever wanted to work in publishing since around the age of 12. I really hope she will still have a future in the industry... She has grown up in France, and is working for a mid-sized independent publisher in Paris. She loves the job - but am not sure it is as much fun as London in the 90s was!
Thank you so much Jodie. I bet Paris today is better than... anything really!
So, so good, H. So many memories - you have captured them perfectly. 7 April 1997 is a date for the history books. I shall forever be grateful that you started at Michael Joseph. ❤️
When I write it you'll be chapters 3-10 bez xxx
The War & Peace artwork is now by my (bit of the) office! Well, technically just outside Tom W’s office (Embassy Gardens, 9th floor). I’m obsessed with it.
Penny thank you SO MUCH for this! I’m so glad. Can you remember the artist? Do let me know.
No, for some unknown reason it's just about the only work in the building that isn't labelled - I'm not even sure how I know what it is (never worked in Wright's Lane!). Next time you're in, get someone to bring you up...
I will SO do this, thank you so much. x
You’re never too old to read Shirley Hughes books!
Actually I read one last night as a result of this post - you’re right xx
Brava!
HighStreetKen! This was the centre of all glamour in my eyes. This is such an evocative piece, I can smell the CKOne and the Marlboro Lights being waved by floppy haired boys. I shall spend the morning happily plagued by teenage flashbacks as I clean out the chickens. X
CKone!!! Oh yes. Enjoy the flashbacks and thanks x