BolognaBookPlus catches up with some of its broad community, ranging from exhibitors to speakers and partners, for a quick interview in the time it takes to have an Espresso. Read their views on books, publishing, food, and more! Today we catch up with Seonaid MacLeod, Senior Contracts Manager at Hachette Children’s Group in the UK.

 

 

 

What are you reading at the minute?

A Hunger by Ross Raisin. A really beautiful book. 

 

What is the best thing about going to international book fairs?

Seeing people face-to-face after 11 months of Teams meetings with them. 

 

What was your first job in the book world?

Working in a smaller publisher, so I had many job titles – Sales Assistant, Rights Assistant, PA to the Directors, Contracts Assistant, Office Manager – which I’d have to change depending on who I was e-mailing. 

 

Is your reading preference for physical books, audio, ebooks, and why?

All of the above! Physical for evenings on the sofa, ebooks for travelling, and audiobooks for doing really boring things like ironing.

 

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Being able to teleport – seeing friends and family immediately – and going to Bologna whenever I want!

 

What has been your favourite book in translation, and who was the translator?

Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk, translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones. I loved it so much, and have been reading The Books of Jacob as a follow-up, translated by Jennifer Croft, but at 900 pages, it’s taking me a bit longer…