In 2012, Rose Sandy founded and became the Chief Creative Officer of Silver Gravity Publishing Media, working with companies to help them develop and refine their brand messaging and content strategies. Then in 2024, she became the founder and Chief Visionary Office of Silver Gravity Entertainment Ltd, a production company placing strong, dynamic female protagonists at the heart of international suspense thrillers.
With her extensive experience and entrepreneurial spirit, Rose continues to make a significant impact on the entertainment and publishing industries, driving forward a change in society. Her dedication to advancing women is evident in her pursuits; she is a Freeman of The City of London Stationers Livery Company, and an Advisory Board member for The Female Lead.
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ROSE SANDY – HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHERS
Rose joined the publishers HarperCollins in 2014, firstly for their affiliate company Harper 360, followed by their HQ Non-Fiction imprint as Publishing Director, and then as Publishing Director for Harper Non-Fiction. Through this time, she worked with a number of high-profile authors, including Davina McCall, Joe Wick, Myleene Klass, Tom Daley, and The Archbishop of Canterbury, across a range of non-fiction genres including lifestyle, memoir, narrative, entertainment, biography, sports, and thought leadership.
She was also the head of the UK Harper360 Distribution program for HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Rose doubled its business, demonstrating her ability to drive growth.
Rose established the HarperCollins Author and Design Academy which trains and supports writers and designers from underrepresented backgrounds, aiming to help them become commercially successful in the publishing industry.
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ROSE SANDY – SPEAKING TOPICS
Rose’s speaking topics can be split into three sections: Publishing, Writing, and Story Craft, Women in Business and Leadership, and Global Nomad Working and Living Abroad:
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ROSE SANDY – PUBLISHING, WRITING, AND STORY CRAFT
Getting published: The process of having your work accepted by a publishing house and then produced for distribution and sale.
Navigating publishing and pulling the veil on publishing: Understanding the publishing industry, exploring the differences between traditional publishing and self-publishing, print vs digital, as well as trade publishing, contracts, royalties, rights, the roles of agents and editors, and marketing and promotion.
The role of AI in publishing: Exploring the applications of AI in the publishing industry, such as content creation, editing, personalised recommendations, and market analysis. Understand the benefits and challenges of using AI in publishing.
Having a career in publishing: Exploring the different roles within publishing, such as design, proofreading, editing, sales, marketing, production, rights, and contracts, whilst demystifying the skills required, pathways into the career, and day-to-day responsibilities.
Writing and story craft: Looking into the art and skill of creating compelling narratives, engaging plots, well-developed characters, and polished prose, and being aware of readers’ expectations and the commercial expectations of bestselling books.
Books meeting screen/other media: Exploring the adaptation of books into TV shows, films, plays, video games, audiobooks, VR, and augmented reality. Rose talks about how to translate the story to work in another medium, focussing on interactivity, immersion, and visual storytelling.
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ROSE SANDY – WOMEN IN BUSINESS AND LEADERSHIP
Female empowerment in business, entrepreneurship, and creative arts: Rose encourage and supports women in advancing into leadership roles.
Inclusivity and diversity in media/creative industries: Thanks to her role with the HarperCollins Author and Design Academy, Rose talks about ensuring representation of women and people of diverse backgrounds as characters, creators, and decision-makers, enriching media with a range of perspectives.
Women in a “man’s world”: Rose discusses the challenges and stereotypes faced by women in male-dominated fields, and how we can change perceptions.
Working internationally in a digital world: Rose talks about how to leverage technology to collaborate across borders, cultures, and time zones, as well as about building global networks, understanding international markets, and adapting content for different audiences.
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ROSE SANDY – GLOBAL NOMAD WORKING AND LIVING ABROAD
Growing up among worlds: Rose talks about her experience being raised in multiple countries, cultures, and languages. She discusses how to develop adaptability, cross-cultural understanding, and a global perspective.
Making it work for you: Rose looks at how to leverage the skills gained from a nomadic upbringing, such as language proficiency, cultural fluency, adaptability, and global networks, and how to apply those skills to navigate international careers to bring unique value to a business.
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ROSE SANDY – KEY TALK TAKEAWAYS
Navigating Careers in Publishing and Creative Industries
– Develop a deep understanding of the publishing/creative industry structure, roles, and trends.
– Understand how decisions are made, and how you can prevent rejection.
– Build a strong network of industry contacts, mentors, and peers.
– Acquire diverse skills, including book trade literacy, to adapt to the evolving landscape.
– Embrace lifelong learning and stay updated with industry developments, such as AI.
– Cultivate resilience, persistence, and adaptability to overcome challenges and setbacks.
– Tap into things like Gay Hendriks’ concept of the “Zone of Genius”.
– Understand your values.
– Learn to effectively communicate your unique value proposition and personal brand.
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Getting Through Publishing Doors and Advancing Your Career
– Identify and seize opportunities for growth and visibility, such as special projects.
– Develop a strategic plan for your career progression, setting clear goals and milestones.
– Enhance your negotiation skills to advocate for yourself and secure favourable contracts.
– Master the art of self-promotion and learn to showcase your achievements confidently.
– Seek out allies and sponsors who can champion your work and provide new opportunities.
– Embrace calculated risks and step outside your comfort zone to take on new challenges.
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Rose Sandy – Arming Women in Business With Information For Success
– Industry insights, best practices, and case studies to help make informed decisions.
– Practical tools, templates, and resources to support career development and skill building.
– Guidance on personal branding, communication, and leadership skills.
– Strategies for work/life balance, mental health, and personal wellbeing in stressful industries.
– Continuous learning for further education and professional development.
– Inspiration to pursue passions, take calculate risks, and create meaningful, impactful work.
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Empowering Authors and Publishers
– Understand how publishers make decisions that make or break author careers.
– Demystify the publishing process
– Provide guidelines on publishing jargon when it comes to contracts, rights, and royalties etc.
– Educate authors on effective writing and story craft techniques to create compelling content.
– Help publishers embrace digital transformation and explore new business models.
– Guide authors in building a strong author platform and engaging with their audience.
– Foster a culture of inclusion, and belonging in the publishing industry.
– Encourage experimentation and innovation in storytelling formats, such as immersive media.
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Supporting Women and Girls in Creative Industries
– Awareness about the challenges and barriers and how to overcome them.
– Guidance and support on navigating careers.
– How to achieve representation in leadership positions.
– Celebrate and amplify the achievements of women in publishing media, and technology.
– Explore careers in creative and STEM industries – they are not that separate.
– Foster a supportive network of women professionals to share knowledge and opportunities.
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Leveraging the Global Nomad Experience
– Embrace multicultural backgrounds as a unique asset in storytelling and engagement.
– Using language skills and cultural fluency to connect with diverse audiences.
– Apply adaptability and resilience to navigate the challenges of international work.
– Leveraging your global network to access new markets, collaborators, and opportunities.
– Bring a fresh, global perspective to creative projects and business ventures.
– Serving as a role model and mentor for other global nomads in the industry.
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ROSE SANDY – CORPORATE WORK
Rose has appeared as a speaker for a number of companies and events, including:
– Women in Leadership London: A talk on her journey into the business world
– Chiswick Book Festival: Shared her author career and how to create bestsellers
– Women in Business and Technology CITF: Shared her experience in entrepreneurship
– Oxford University’s Publishing Career Conference
– MAPP’s Women’s Conference 2022
– The Female Lead’s Events: Celebrating the power of women over 40
– Independent Publishers’ Guild Spring Conference: Speaking on inclusivity in publishing
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She also has plans to appear at the 2025 London Book Fair’s Writer’s Summit, and at Down House Boarding School, speaking on her publishing and entrepreneurial journey.
Rose Sandy has appeared on a number of podcasts, including the London Legacy Podcast in 2018 discussing her books and publishing journey, and the Collaboration Innovation Technology Forum on women in business.
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To check fees and availability for Rose Sandy, contact Great Business Speakers on 0044 (0)1753 439289
