In conversation with Valerie Brandes

Valerie Brandes founded independent publishing house Jacaranda Books Art Music Ltd in 2012, amid a global recession and downsizing or mergers among mainstream publishers at a time of increasing competition from digital platforms and, of course, Amazon. With a focus on adult fiction and non-fiction, its roster includes illustrated books, which cross linguistic, racial, gender and cultural boundaries, reflecting the cosmopolitan nature and spirit of London, where Jacaranda Books is based. Brandes shares her publishing journey, growing too quickly, her ability to spot talent, her growing list of awards and why the lack of cultural diversity in publishing is still a major bugbear.