Five minutes with Rachel and Jenny, founders of Magic Cat Publishing
Rachel Williams and Jenny Broom are the founders and managing directors of Magic Cat Publishing, an award-winning independent Children’s publisher based in east London. They publish illustrated non-fiction and gift books, as well as puzzles and games, for children from birth to age 10. You can find Magic Cat at www.magiccatpublishing.co.uk
1. Who are you and why did you start Magic Cat Publishing?
We are two Mums who set up a new children’s non-fiction publisher because we believe that learning and discovery, bringing real world subjects to children, are some of the best things families can do together around a printed page. When we set up Magic Cat in July 2019 as an illustrated non-fiction publisher, we already had a track record having set up award-winning lists for publishing houses, but we wanted the opportunity for women to be running the business, and owning it. We set ourselves up with the goal to create beautiful childrens books that do more. We gently weave ideas that matter into stories that engage, entertain and bring joy. Ideas about kindness, togetherness, friendship, inclusivity. Ideas about the future of our planet, about culture, activism, and mindfulness.
2. What is your advice to others starting their own business?!
We made sure we asked for advice when it was needed. We knew a lot about setting up a list, but setting up an entire publisher is a different matter! How do you go about finding a
sales team? How does the finance element work? People were very generous with their knowledge and experience, so don’t be afraid to ask!
3. What does a brief day in your life look like?!
Although we run the company, we also commission all of the books and work closely with our editors and designers. So our day covers both business and creative problem solving (and fun!) But of course our days are much more than just work. When we set up Magic Cat we really wanted to make sure our team had a good work / life balance and that they felt they could work flexibly in order to actually have a life! We both have small children, so there’s a lot of getting ready for school, cleaning up and story times as well!
4. Who is a person you look up to and why?
We first worked together at Templar, a brilliant publishing house founded by Amanda Wood. She’s been there every step of the way to mentor and help us and she is now the chairperson of Magic Cat. To work with someone so creative yet so business savvy is a wonderful privilege.
5. Name your biggest professional highlight?
After our first year of publishing we won the Independent Publisher Group Newcomer award and we were also shortlisted for Small Press of the Year at the British Books awards in the same year. These are two major awards in the book world, so to be recognised so early on was brilliant.
6. Favourite book and why?
Rachel: To Kill a Mockingbird because I love Atticus Finch.
Jenny: An Equal Music by Vikram Seth (to read to myself); Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel (to read to my son); How to Eat by Nigella Lawson (infallible advice in the kitchen). Also, anything by Jane Austen, Barbara Pym and Sally Rooney, three women that I literally think of as friends.
7. Favourite podcast and why?
Rachel: How I Built This, Guy Raz
Jenny: Rach put me on to How I Built This, which is super interesting in the context now that we are running our own enterprise. I also listen to The Rest is Politics and The Prince to get grip on what’s going on in the world.
8. What is the one thing you try and do every day for yourself?
Rachel: Floss my teeth and breathe
Jenny: A good coffee and a dog walk.
9. What is your guilty pleasure?!
Rachel: Hu chocolate and looking at ramshackle property on auction house websites
Jenny: Naps. Chocolate. Mediocre murder mysteries. Black jumpers.
10. Favourite holiday destination?
Rachel: Hydra, Greece
Jenny: Greece. I backpacked as a student, stayed in a ritzy hotel on my honeymoon and took my little boy on his first family holiday there. It was heaven every time.
11. What is your earliest child memory?
Rachel: Reading books with my dad; looking at plants with my mum.
Jenny: Staring at little red and yellow sprigs on my nursery wallpaper.
12. What do you think is the key to happiness?
Rachel: Looking at all the good stuff that’s happening right in front of you.
Jenny: Comfortable underwear and not looking at your phone too much.
13. Window or aisle seat?
Rachel: Window all the way. I am 6 feet tall but I flat pack myself on planes
Jenny: I’m a nervous passenger so wherever you put me.
14. What is a super power you wish you had?
Rachel: To stop the planet overheating
Jenny: A time turner like Hermione Granger has in Harry Potter. I could do with a few more hours in each day.
15. What is the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Rachel: Worrying doubles your suffering.
Jenny: My mum reminds me of the maxim ‘enough is as good as a feast’ all the time and she’s so right.