Debbie Williams
Associate Professor in Publishing
School of Journalism, Media and Performance
Greenbank Building, GR303
+44 (0) 1772 89 5796
Full Profile
Debbie Williams joined UCLan after many years in the book and publishing industry. Before joining the University she was the Children’s Book Buyer for Waterstones Head Office where she coordinated the buying, event and project management of many important books including Harry Potter.
Debbie established the world’s first and only student-led, student-run publishing house, UCLan Publishing. The publishing house works with communities, authors and contributors from around the globe to produce books for the open market. Project teams have collaborated with the Maasai in Kenya, the Inuit community in Greenland and the Sami people in the Arctic.
Debbie continues to take a lead in the publishing industry and regularly works with industry partners such as HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, Egmont, BookTrust and New Writing North to further important research into the impact of reading, particularly in the Early Years.
Publications
… “Does China present publishing opportunities?” article for China Daily
… “Letters to Africa: A Case Study” ESCalate Bulletin
…“What Will We do Now? Harry Potter and the trauma of the last book” The Telegraph
…“Harry Potter and the Crossover Phenomenon” article in The Observer
Teaching Activities
Course Leader for BA and MA Publishing
External Affiliations and Roles
- Chair of the Association for Publishing Education
- Board member of Lancaster LitFest
Conferences
- London Book Fair speaker
- Bologna Children’s Book Fair speaker
Memberships
- Chair of the Association for Publishing Education
- Member of the Publishers Association
Research
Currently working with industry partners including Egmont and Nielsen Bookscan to examine the impact of children reading for pleasure on academic attainment and success.
Projects
- Pillars of Light by Jane Johnson 2017
- Cold Bath Street by A J Hartley 2017
- George the Spider Goes on an Adventure 2017
- A Potter, a Painter and a Poet 2017
- Dolphins of the Deep 2017
- Wish Upon A Star 2016
- Whales beneath the Waves 2016
- Inspired by Shakespeare 2016
- Cornwall: A Guide to all things Cornish 2016
- Clicks and Tricks: Positive Dog Training for Children (interactive eBook) 2016
- George the Spider (picture book) 2016
- Britain’s Journey to the Tour De France 2015
- Greenland: Life on the Edge 2015
- Life beneath the Northern Lights 2014
- Making of Life beneath the Northern Lights (video) 2014
- The Jacqueline Wilson Fan Book 2014
- Prix Italia: A Guide for applicants 2014
- History all around us 2014
- Oceania: Journey to the Olympic Games 2013
- African Playground Games 2013
- Sheepdog Tails 2013
- Red Rose Book of Fairy Tales 2012
- Uncovering the Anglo-Saxons 2012
- Shadows Fall 2011
- Kickabout 2010
- Letters to Africa 2010