Thwarting the reading crisis! A guide for authors, illustrators and other industry professionals.

Monday 14th September, 7:30pm start

This event is FREE to members, £15 to non-members.

This interactive webinar will explore what we can do to help to get (and keep!) children loving books and enjoying reading. We will be chatting with Sanjee de Silva, a key player in the UK's National Year of Reading.

Everything feels like it’s in ‘crisis’ these days- the climate crisis, the oil crisis, the poverty crisis, and now the reading crisis!

“We all know the benefits of reading, but fewer of us are doing it. Reading expands minds, builds confidence and fuels creativity. Yet with more distractions and less time, reading for pleasure is in decline across many groups.”

This is a quote from the ‘Go All In’ website here, the website for the National Year of Reading.

It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of such narratives, but it doesn’t have to be that way…

From his experience in schools and communities, as well as the publishing world, Sanjee will share some insights and actionable ideas.

We will also open up the conversation for us all to discuss and share ideas together on how we can respond to this!

SCBWI is such a vibrant, creative community, with diverse experiences and expertise, all of which is inordinately valuable. So be prepared to turn on your zoom camera and mic and chip in if you are able to!

Sanjee’s Bio: 

Sanjee de Silva is an engaged and enthusiastic publishing figure, known in the industry for his colourful approach to making books fun, accessible, and diverse. He sits on the board of directors of the Publishers Association and most recently campaigned with his colleagues to establish the National Year of Reading in 2026, for which he now serves on the steering group.

Last year, Sweet Cherry, an independently owned children's publisher based in Leicester, secured its place in publishing by winning the Small Press of the Year at the British Book Awards for the second time since Sanjee joined the company. Sweet Cherry also took home the Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Award from the Independent Publishers Guild, made The Sunday Times Bestsellers list, and launched its new imprint, Salaam Cherry, to address the needs of the Muslim community. Salaam Cherry joined Every Cherry, the world's first imprint for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) kids, and hopes to emulate its success.

Sanjee believes that every child should have access to great stories and has done more in his five short years in publishing to move the publishing forward than the industry has done in a decade. The Chief Brand and Communications officer for Penguin Random House was quoted as saying about Sanjee, "Where he lead, we all follow”

Note: this webinar is part of our ‘Sanjee September’ series, which is being held over three sessions as follows:

Session 1: Sanjee's Sales! What is ACTUALLY selling in Publishing?

Monday 7th September, 7:30pm start

Event page here

Session 2: Thwarting the reading crisis! A guide for authors, illustrators and other industry professionals.

Monday 14th September, 7:30pm start

Session 3: Ask Sanjee! Your chance to ask an award-winning publisher ANYTHING! 

Monday 28th September, 7:30pm start

Event page here

There are no refunds for this event. Afraid you can't make time/date for this opportunity? The full webinar will be recorded. Registered participant will be able to (re-)watch the recording for 30 days after the event.

Any questions? Email Cat Parker at: [email protected]