I spent most of my childhood lost in the wonderful worlds of the many books I avidly read. Now, having worked my way up in the publishing industry, I am now Editorial Director at Bluebird & One Boat, Pan Macmillan.
When I'm not sharing beautiful books with the world, I'm usually writing myself. I've been fortunate enough to write about everything from music, art and culture to travel and lifestyle for the likes of GUAP, Nataal, TOKEN, LAPP The Brand, Good Housekeeping, British Vogue, Digital Spy and more. I'm also the author of DK's Timelines of Black History and a contributor to DK's Timelines of Everyone, The Black History Book and Migrations.
I'm passionate about inclusion, representation, equality and diversity, and eager to bring these into my industry. I'm a sensitivity reader for both internal D&I guidelines and written works, having worked with DK, Bonnier, Bloomsbury, Ian Fleming Publications Ltd, The Girls' Day School Trust and other organisations.
In this same vein, I'm all about getting individuals and organisations the recognition they deserve. As a PR and communications consultant, I've worked with the likes of Punch Records, BYP Network, Catalyst Collective, ShoutOut Network and other great organisations on press campaigns.
https://mireillecharper.carrd.co/
Instagram | @mireillecharper
Twitter | @mireillecharper
Projects
- Grazia Women's Prize: Putting Pen to Paper PanelFor the Women’s Prize × Grazia First Chapter competition, I joined a panel with fellow industry experts to give insights and advice for starting a writing journey, and enjoying every step of the way. Kenya Hunt, Deputy Editor of Grazia UK and 2021 First Chapter judge, chaired panellists: global bestselling author Dorothy Koomson, our 2021 First Chapter judge and mentor; myself and literary agent Viola Hayden. We discussed: what it takes to start a literary career; the importance of mentoring,
- Bad Form Issue 7: Caribbean LiteratureI worked with Bad Form as the guest editor on their seventh print issue, Caribbean Literature in collaboration with The Duppy Share. A celebration of the Caribbean and all its greatness, this issue boasts nineteen stellar writers who each share their stories, essays, reviews and poetry. From opinion pieces on Jamaican patois and revelations on queer and non-binary defiance in contemporary Caribbean poetry to literary essays on West Indian revolutionaries and narrative poetry that bring folktale
- Twice As Hard | DK Event HostI hosted an internal event for PRH employees with Raphael and Opeyemi Sofoluke, the authors of Twice As Hard, published by DK. We discussed the book’s themes, the creative process, and more with an audience Q&A. Twice As Hard is an inspirational and practical business book that explores Black identity in the workplace. In addition to sharing their own experiences, the Sofolukes interviewed 40+ entrepreneurs, creatives, and business people for the book, including Mathew Knowles (Record Producer
- Writer, Agent and Author Panel | Teen Writers ConferenceIn March 2021, I joined Liz Hyder, award-winning author of Bearmouth and Silé Edwards (agent at Mushens Entertainment) to discuss how editors, agents and writers work together to produce a book, as part of the Teen Writers Conference, headed up by Spark Young Writers.
+ View all
Projects credited in
- Too Many Man: Women of Grime (V2)Too Many Man: Women of Grime documents women involved in the UK grime scene, showcasing those behind the scenes and behind the mic. Since the beginning, grime has been a hugely male dominated scene, with women often being much less visible than their male counterparts. Too Many Man seeks to ask why and gives the women of grime a platform to share their thoughts and experiences. First published in 2019 as a limited run of 100 copies, this second edition includes new features, as well as portraits
- u n k n o w nPhotography works on young women of colour and mental health. These photography shots convey the unknown and unfamiliar feeling that come with anxiety and mental and emotional struggle. The feeling of being on edge and bewildered in thoughts, the cause and cure for mental health is yet an unknown and unfamiliar topic to discuss. It is an issue we try to acknowledge yet we feel we need to put our guard up and reject these negative feelings that are desperate to spill and display itself. I have e
+ Show more
Work history
EditorPenguin Random House UK
London, United KingdomFull Time
I am now Editor at the VINTAGE imprint, Square Peg, where we publish non-fiction books with a creative twist.
I joined Square Peg and Vintage in November 2019, working with new and existing authors including Amy Thomson, Andrew Gimson, Laura Dockrill and Rukmini Iyer.
I have since acquired books including Stephen Moss’ The Swan and Rachel Thompson’s Rough, and I will be developing the list and strategy.
Editorial AssistantOctopus Books
- London, United KingdomFull Time
Following the Fresh Chapters traineeship at Hachette UK (working for six months at Trapeze Books, and another six in Hodder Education), and another week of working at Headline within Hachette UK, I was taken on as an Editorial Assistant at Octopus Books, which publishes illustrated non-fiction books.
+ Show more
Skills
- Copywriting
- Content and Media Writing
- Marketing
- Social Media Management
- Editorial
- Communications
- Content Translation
- Feature Writing
- Blog Writing
- PR
Education
U
U
2:1 Modern Languages BA (French, Spanish and Italian)University of Birmingham
- Birmingham, United Kingdom
Activities and Societies: Italian Student Representative at The University of Birmingham (1st and 4th year) | Oxfam Society Member | BUDS (Dance) Society Member | Guest Speaker at 'Get into Publishing' event at The University of Birmingham in 2017 and 2018
1st Year: 2:1 (60) | 2nd Year: 2:1 (64)
3rd Year: 2:1 (68.5)
Université de Toulouse: Jean-Jaurès (Semester 1 of Year Abroad): 73
Università degli studi di Padova (Semester 2 of Year Abroad): 64
Universidad de Alcalá (Grammar-intensive vacation course): Passed B1.2 course
4th Year: 2:1
Dissertation Module (Redefining the western through hostility: A comparative study of Sergio Leone’s Trilogia del dollaro (1964-1966) and Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight (2015) (72)
Awards
The Dots 100 Rising StarsThe Dots
I was named in The Dots' annual list celebrating and shining a spotlight on 100 rising stars – as nominated by The Dots community – who are transforming the industry of today, inspiring the generation of tomorrow and making history.Harry Barker AwardHachette
The Harry Barker Award is given in honour of Harry Barker, who worked at Hachette Children's and was himself the winner of a staff award in 2013. Harry died suddenly and unexpectedly and in 2014, and this award is given each year in his memory.