What does publishing a novel look like behind the scenes? This month we're following the trajectory of THE TREASURE HOUSE by Amy Matthews, from idea to publication, and asking the agent, editors and publishers our burning questions about the publishing industry. 

This week, we interview the lovely Melanie Hayes, Commissioning Editor at Simon & Schuster UK, to ask what does a commissioning editor do? What does Melanie's journey into the publishing industry look like? What do publishers look for when acquiring new titles? Which genre is the best, and why is it romance?

📚 Our BOTM is The Treasure House by Amy Matthews. Get your copy here: The Treasure House | Book by Amy Matthews | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster AU

 

MENTIONS

📖 BOOKS: The Treasure House by Amy Matthews; Return to Sender by Stephanie Parente; Rumours & Whiskey by Victoria Wilder

📺 TV: Schitt's Creek (2015); The Pitt (2025 - present); House of the Dragon (2022 - present)

🎬 ACTORS: Connor Storrie & Hudson Williams

📰 AUTHORS: Amy Matthews; Elsie Silver

 

LINKS:
Watch the full episode on YouTube: @AmyAndBookclub
Follow the Amy & Podcast on IG: @amyandbookclub 
Follow the Amy & Podcast on TikTok: @amyandbookclub
Join the Amy & Bookclub: Amy & Bookclub 
Follow Amy Matthews on IG: @amymatthewsauthor 
Follow Amy Barry on IG: @amybarryauthor
Our theme music is “Same Old” by Mass Wisteria. Listen to their music on Bandcamp.

What does publishing a novel look like behind the scenes? This month we're following the trajectory of THE TREASURE HOUSE by Amy Matthews, from idea to publication, and asking the agent, editors and publishers our burning questions about the publishing industry.&nbsp;
This week, we interview the lovely Melanie Hayes, Commissioning Editor at Simon &amp; Schuster UK, to ask what does a commissioning editor do? What does Melanie's journey into the publishing industry look like? What do publishers look for when acquiring new titles? Which genre is the best, and why is it romance?
📚 Our BOTM is The Treasure House by Amy Matthews. Get your copy here: <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/The-Treasure-House/Amy-Matthews/9781761633577">The Treasure House | Book by Amy Matthews | Official Publisher Page | Simon &amp; Schuster AU</a>
&nbsp;
MENTIONS
📖 BOOKS: The Treasure House by Amy Matthews; Return to Sender by Stephanie Parente; Rumours &amp; Whiskey by Victoria Wilder
📺 TV: Schitt's Creek (2015); The Pitt (2025 - present); House of the Dragon (2022 - present)
🎬 ACTORS: Connor Storrie &amp; Hudson Williams
📰 AUTHORS: Amy Matthews; Elsie Silver
&nbsp;
LINKS:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Watch the full episode on YouTube:<a href="https://youtube.com/@amyandbookclub?si=tNwaMcQpfgU6c8Uc"> @AmyAndBookclub</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Follow the Amy &amp; Podcast on IG:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/amyandbookclub?igsh=OHZtZjd5NG5wNTd3"> @amyandbookclub</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Follow the Amy &amp; Podcast on TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@amyandbookclub">@amyandbookclub</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Join the Amy &amp; Bookclub:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/g/169K69qXsh/"> Amy &amp; Bookclub</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Follow Amy Matthews on IG:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/amymatthewsauthor/"> @amymatthewsauthor</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Follow Amy Barry on IG:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/amybarryauthor/"> @amybarryauthor</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Our theme music is &ldquo;Same Old&rdquo; by Mass Wisteria. <a href="https://masswisteria.bandcamp.com/">Listen to their music on Bandcamp</a>.</li>
</ul>

Amy & Book Club is a bookish podcast with benefits. Amy Matthews is joined by series regulars Justina Ashman, Abby Guy, Millie Heffernan, Payton Hogan and Harry Stewart and by a cast of guesties, both special and specialer. Featuring genre deep dives, author Q&As, and a live book club with a signature cocktail/mocktail, we’re your new favourite interactive book club with an accessibly academic flair. Listen to the pod, embrace the community on socials, and tune in to the livestream for the monthly book club – whether you’re a new book lover or a seasoned bibliophile, we can’t wait to meet you!

Amy &amp; Book Club is a bookish podcast with benefits. <a href="https://auscastnetwork.com/talent-profiles/dr-amy-matthews/">Amy Matthews</a> is joined by series regulars <a href="https://x.com/justinaashman">Justina Ashman</a>, <a href="https://au.linkedin.com/in/aabbyguy">Abby Guy</a>,<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Milzilla"> Millie Heffernan</a>, <a href="https://www.paytonhogan.com/">Payton Hogan</a> and <a href="https://au.linkedin.com/in/harrison-stewart-7a29a021b">Harry Stewart</a> and by a cast of guesties, both special and specialer. Featuring genre deep dives, author Q&amp;As, and a live book club with a signature cocktail/mocktail, we&rsquo;re your new favourite interactive book club with an accessibly academic flair. Listen to the pod, embrace the community on socials, and tune in to the livestream for the monthly book club &ndash; whether you&rsquo;re a new book lover or a seasoned bibliophile, we can&rsquo;t wait to meet you!