SoA Sounds

As we await regulation to ensure control, transparency and remuneration for writers in the AI space, how are readers to identify human-authored work? What can authors do to assert their human-authored voice in an increasingly noisy field? In this episode co-hosts Johanna Clarke and Theo Jones present an introduction to the Human Authored certification scheme from the Society of Authors. Featuring...

Blank pages and empty studios – is that what we want? Join SOA Advisory Clinic co-hosts Johanna Clarke and Theo Jones as they catch up on the Don't Steal this Book campaign launched at the London Book Fair 2026 with the support of the Society of Authors and the Publishers Association. Featuring campaign organiser, Ed Newton-Rex.    This podcast is brought to you thanks to the kind sponsorship of t...

As we continue to call for the responsible use and development of generative AI, we invite you to join us in solidarity with human translators and celebrate what makes human-authored translation so unique and irreplaceable by technology. We hear more about the campaign and bring you a selection of exclusive extracts from our recent translation duel event with Danie; Hahn chairing a battle between...

BONUS SPECIAL – Making Tax Digital and making tax make sense with HW Fisher   In this bonus special episode, the SOA Advisory Clinic podcast returns to the offices of specialist accountant HW Fisher to discuss MTD, the biggest change to the freelance tax regime since the introduction of self-assessment, coming in the Spring. Podcast host and SOA Contracts Advisor, Theo Jones, hears from Principal...

Funding is everything to creatives. If writers are unable to access and maintain sustainable careers, taking in a wide range of creative disciplines, skills and intellect, the impacts for them and for society more widely would be far-reaching and profound. And so then, what support is out there and how can writers access those funds? How do bodies with funding authority allocate their monies? And...

On the 25th of February 2025 the industry came together in an unprecedented show of support to recognise the importance of human-centred creativity as developments in the Artificial Intelligence space continued apace. As government considers their next steps, we reflect on that work and bring you all the latest as the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society (ALCS) launch their limited licensing in...

The growth in audiobooks continues apace and as publishers and authors work to establish new routes to market, that growth is clearly a cause for celebration but as we celebrate its meteoric rise, we question its equity. With the rise of streaming on demand on subscription, we break down the definitions, interrogate the payment models and survey the landscape of who is offering what. This podcast...

On the 3 rd April 2025, the Society of Authors organised a day of action in protest of Meta's alleged use of pirated works online to train their Llama AI without permission or payment. In this special podcast we take you back in support of that protest and thank all writers, readers and others for your continued and ongoing support as we continue to navigate the stormy weather wrought by the unreg...

What can you expect from a traditional publisher and where do they add value? How can writers spot worthwhile publishing deals and run for the hills from a dodgy one? And what of pets for online marketing? Step into the SoA Advisory Clinic to learn about all this and more as we bring you another chance to catch up on an event originally produced as part of the London Book Fair's Writers' Summit 20...

Children are the future and children's literacy in schools is therefore one of our greatest societal concerns. And so, as celebrations draw to a close on another World Book Day and co-host of the podcast Johanna Clarke steps away from the studio to welcome a child of her own, we speak to writers Ian Billings and Davina Hamilton on the role of children's writers in schools. We also hear from Debora...

Roll up and read all about it! The Society of Authors was founded in 1884 and almost immediately the thoroughly Victorian writer Sir Walter Besant became the conductor of its in-house journal The Author . But what would Walter Bessant think of the challenges facing the SoA today? What of The Author and the thoughts of its current editor, James McConnachie?  How does journal commissioning work in p...

The world of audio drama is a world unlike any other. A world with untold potential and prospect, but as the BBC announce the completement abandonment of the renowned Drama on 3 slot on BBC Radio 3 we hear from a host of radio stars to understand what makes the form in general and that slot in particular so very special. This bonus special episode is brought to you in support of the campaign to Sa...

 Developments in artificial intelligence continue to threaten creators' livelihoods and careers with companies continuing to challenge claims of alleged copyright infringement in court and to lobby government for changes to the law. What infringement action is being taken and how clear is the legislation? What legitimate licensing models are being developed and what do they mean for creators? And...

When should a freelance writer register for self-assessment with HMRC? What do they need to file and what records should they keep? And how can they minimise the amount of tax they need to pay? Join tax consultant and honorary treasurer of the Society of Authors, Barry Kernon, as he discusses all these burning questions and more in this special Q&A live podcast recording from the offices of HW Fis...

A recent report from UKIE (The Association for UK Interactive Entertainment) has found that the UK video games market continues to grow reaching a value of £7.82bn in 2023. But what does the video games industry look like for writers? What skills are needed and what creative opportunities are on offer? How are writers contracted and how are they paid? What of the importance of collective voice in...

The UK's copyright laws protect writers by handing them exclusive rights in relation their original creative work. But how can writers best protect themselves and what does a writer need to do before using the work of others? In the event of an apparent infringement, how can a creator ensure they have a clear and unambiguous claim and what steps can they take? What efforts are being made more wide...

The Society of Authors holds a renowned and important role in advocating for rights of authors everywhere and at all stages of their career. But what do its policy and public affairs efforts look like in practice? How does it work to maximise the impact of those efforts to affect real and lasting change? And how can writers become involved? Senior Contracts Advisor and Public Policy Manager at the...

Collecting societies play a crucial and celebrated role for authors, both through licensing works at scale and ensuring creators receive their fair share, but also through advocacy for authors' rights and support through charitable funding. But how do so-called collective management organisations actually work in practice and what does an author need to know? How do they fit into the publishing ec...

What does the landscape for works in translation look like and what role does the Translators Association play? What of the challenges and what of the campaigns? What do translators need to know and how can the Society of Authors help? And what of the metaphorical cake?  Senior Contracts Advisor and co-host of the SoA Advisory Clinic Johanna Clarke sits down with co-coordinator of the Translators...

Literary festivals and live speaking events play a unique, important, and celebrated role in an author's career, offering writers a chance to supplement their book writing income, raise their literary profile and develop their community. But what of the business side to the arrangement? What should the paperwork look like and how can you be sure that your interests are protected? How can you be co...

Join SoA Advisory Clinic hosts Johanna Clarke and Theo Jones as they bring you another catch to enjoy an event originally presented as part of the SoA@Home Festival of online events on the topic of poetry and spoken word at festivals. How do festival organisers find their acts and what considerations are at play? How does a writer evaluate the terms of a booking offered to them? How can writers an...

Everyone knows that the various paths to publication are paved with obstacles and challenges, but what do those routes actually look like? What challenges and opportunities do they pose? How can you prepare yourself for the bumpy ride and what support is out there for you? Join Johanna as she chairs a panel of writers, all with differing experiences, discussing all of  this and more in this latest...

Input and feedback from an engaged, supportive and – at times - critical community is essential for any author writing today. But what form can such a community take? How can it help? What steps can you take as a writer to broaden your community should you need to? Join SoA Advisory Clinic host Johanna Clarke as she joins this brilliant and engaging conversation originally delivered as part of the...

The role of the literary agent occupies a unique position in the publishing industry, representing for many a key link in the chain between publishers and their authors. But what does an agent actually do and can you get by without one? What do the contracts look like and what are the commonly observed terms of business? What of the legal duties and industry codes? Join SoA Advisory Clinic hosts J...

Join Senior Contracts Advisors and hosts of the SoA Advisory Clinic podcast, Johanna Clarke and Theo Jones as they launch series three with an exclusive conversation featuring ex-SoA Chief Executive, Nicola Solomon. How has the Society of Authors developed under her leadership and what of her incredible achievements? Where are we now and where do we go from here? And what of those starfish? Enjoy...