SoA Sounds
By The Society of Authors
Categories: Arts, Business, Entrepreneurship
SoA Sounds is the podcast channel of the Society of Authors, the UK trade union for all types of writers, illustrators and literary translators. www.societyofauthors.org
50 episodes indexed on podsearch.
Recent episodes
- BONUS SPECIAL – Human Authored: a certification for writers
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…
- Don't Steal this Book: A plea from authors
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…
- BONUS SPECIAL – A crie de coeur for human translators
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…
- BONUS SPECIAL – Making Tax Digital and making tax make sense with HW Fisher
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…
- Funding matters: Funding opportunities in England, Scotland and Wales
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…
- Artificially Intelligent: the latest on collective licensing and parliamentary debate
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…
- Streaming now… an investigation into subscription models for online audiobooks
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…
- Our words, not yours: the Meta protest
On the 3rd 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…
- What Does a Publisher Actually Do? from London Book Fair
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…
- The SoA Advisory Clinic: Attention, class!
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…
- The SoA Advisory Clinic: Roll Up & Read All About It: the business of journalism for writers
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…
- The SoA Advisory Clinic: Throw us a line: help save audio drama
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…
- The SoA Advisory Clinic: The Big Conversation: AI and author incomes
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…
- The SoA Advisory Clinic: Money Matters: Ask the experts on tax, with HW Fisher
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…
- The SoA Advisory Clinic: Loading... Writing for video games: an introduction to the business
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…
- The SoA Advisory Clinic: Stop, thief! A guide to copyright infringement and enforcement for writers
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…
- The SoA Advisory Clinic: A shout out for policy & public affairs, with Ambre Morvan
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…
- The SoA Advisory Clinic: Cash back for creators: The inside view on collecting societies
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…
- The SoA Advisory Clinic: Found in translation...Johanna Clarke speaks to Catherine Fuller from the Translators Association
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…
- The SoA Advisory Clinic: The field of festivals and live speaking events: a writer's guide to the business
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…
- The SoA Advisory Clinic: Poetry and spoken word at festivals: a panel shares tips, tricks and insights
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…
- The SoA Advisory Clinic: Making the most of your publishing experience, from London Book Fair
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…
- The SoA Advisory Clinic: Finding your village, from London Book Fair
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…
- The SoA Advisory Clinic: Call my agent: The business of working with literary agents
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…
- The SoA Advisory Clinic: A fond farewell: A conversation with outgoing SoA Chief Executive, Nicola Solomon
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…
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