Introducing the Debut Writer's Academy Diaries

Something I love about working at the Orion Publishing Group is that a number of our authors have been with us since our inception thirty years ago and are still writing their best books to date. As a publisher I get so much joy and inspiration from working with authors over the long-term, helping them build and sustain careers over multiple books. My hope, and I’m sure the hope of many who work in this industry, is that a writer’s first experience of being published is a positive one. 

Why the Debut Writers’ Academy? 

It has been two years since The Bookseller reported the sobering results of their debut author survey, in which many shared the detrimental impact being published had on their mental health. A number of initiatives were launched in the survey’s wake, including the award-winning Orion Debut Writers’ Academy, an eight-week online course run by myself and editorial director, Sareeta Domingo. We wanted to create a support network for our debuts and make the process of publishing more transparent.   

The course returned this summer, accessible to all debut writers with a book published by Orion in 2025. For eight weeks, the debut writers were invited to a series of online panel events that covered every aspect of the process with guest speakers. These included media training with Lorraine Kelly, a discussion about imposter syndrome with Hachette UK, adult trade CEO Katie Espiner, a conversation about the difficult second album with Ben Kane and Sharon Bolton, and an overview of the retail landscape with booksellers Storytellers Inc and Bert’s Books.   

How we did it   

We wanted to make the academy as inclusive as possible, so we ran digital sessions at a time that best suited our authors. Many joined us from the UK, the US, Africa and Australia. They also had a Whatsapp group where they could share their experiences and learn from each other. Fifteen writers regularly attended the sessions, each session was recorded for those who couldn’t make it and at the end of the course the group were asked to share feedback on how to make the course better.   

They were refreshingly candid, sharing how useful they found the sessions and also what we could do better. Their honesty sparked an idea for The Debut Writers’ Academy Diaries. 

What are The Debut Writers’ Academy Diaries?  

We wanted to share our experiences of publishing more widely and make this knowledge accessible to all debut writers, rather than those just published at Orion. Each week our course administrator Brittany Golob will be sharing tips, insights and knowledge from each session alongside guest posts from the course speakers. Our hope is that these posts will help all writers, published or not, understand their craft and achieve more out of their writing careers. From how to navigate social media as an author without losing your mind, to building resilience in the face of publishing highs and lows, our aim is to share the remarkable wisdom, candour and kindness from the bestselling authors and industry professionals who gave up their time to speak to our debut writers.   

Last words 

Spending the summer with a group of talented debut writers at the beginning of their publishing journeys has personally given me so much inspiration and joy. Whether you are a writer, industry professional or a reader, I hope you find inspiration and joy in these pages too.

Sam Eades is the publisher of Orion Fiction