What is it like to work for a children’s book publisher?
A nostalgic look back at my time with Andersen Press
When I went to my first interview at Andersen Press, I knew right off the bat that I wanted to work there. I first met the publisher, Klaus Flugge, and remember being so taken by his personality and the twinkle of mischief in his eyes not to mention his eyebrows — he has the most expressive eyebrows I have ever seen. He is also one of the most engaging people I have ever met.
When I was offered the job, I snapped it up and was soon working at Andersen Press — at Random House on Vauxhall Bridge Road. If you are a book publishing enthusiast, you’ll know that that is a big deal!
After my very first day, I made my way back to Pimlico station and went in the direction of the tube. I stepped onto the escalator and took a deep breath of contentment — it had been an awesome first day. I then looked up to see Klaus.
Now, Klaus never takes an escalator, he walks the escalators. He quickly told me that I was way too young to take the escalator and that I should step up and get going. Funnily enough, I think of Klaus every time I see an escalator and I feel ever so slightly guilty if I’m not actively walking up or down the moving escalators.
Inspiring colleagues
The other people in the office were simply inspiring too. Sarah, the rights director at the time, has gone on to establish her own children’s book company called Scallywag Press. How impressive is that! I love the list Sarah is curating and the books she is publishing.
The other thing that I remember about Sarah is her husband! They both have a way of telling stories that I found hilarious. I don’t quite know how I remember the stories after all this time, but I do! There was the time he ended up overnighting in a cell as he was slightly tipsy and attempted to zig-zag his way home on his bicycle.
Another time, Sarah recounted the story of them trying to maneuver a bath into their apartment through an upstairs window. There was always a story and something every so slightly eccentric about their everyday. I still think it could all make a funny story or rather, a series of stories!
Audrey, the then-editor, was also amazing. She did everything so carefully and so perfectly. I can’t remember her ever being flustered or upset and yet, there was a lot on her plate. She gave me a pair of gloves from a trip to South America one Christmas. They are still my warmest and favorite pair.
Beccy was the art director and I am still so grateful that she took the time to show me how to use InDesign. I loved making the author and illustrator sales sheets and having a creative outlet myself in a very creative space.
Then, a group of equally wonderful people made Andersen a warm and welcoming place to work. There was Ulla, Klaus’s sister, and Liz and Rona and the sparkling-ness of Anna and the level-headedness of Mark. What an incredible group of people to have worked with.
Inspiring titles
I still love to look at what Andersen Press is publishing each year and now, I also have a look at Scallywag Press. To me, there’s something so important about children’s books and picture books in particular. They certainly entertain our little people, but they do so much more than that; helping to shape independent thinkers who are curious and care about the world around them.
If you are curious about the current list at Andersen Press and at Scallyway Press, you can find them here:
https://www.andersenpress.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Andersen_Spring-2023_for-email.pdf
https://www.scallywagpress.com/docs/SCALLYWAG%20SPRING%202023%20and%20Backlist.pdf
