Ceri Jones
Current Employer/Organisation Name
Ulverscroft Ltd
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
Since graduating I have gained an MA in Publishing Media and interned with the Marketing & Conferences team at London Book Fair. In 2023, I joined Ulverscroft Ltd, a specialist large print and audio publisher based in Oxford. I began as a Publishing Assistant and have since progressed to overseeing acquisitions for four large print lists as Publishing Coordinator.
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
As a book lover, working in publishing seemed the obvious choice! I knew I wanted to work with books in some shape or form, so studied an MA in publishing to learn more about the potential routes I could take. I especially enjoyed my rights and editorial modules, as I loved the commissioning and acquiring aspects of those areas. In my current role, I love assessing manuscripts and discussing them at our weekly acquisition meetings. I’m always finding new favourite reads that way!
Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?
I was President of the English Society and editor-in-chief of Penryn Press, the student-run publishing house.
What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?
One of the things I enjoyed most was the diverse range of modules on offer, which catered to every niche interest—especially in my final year. A particular highlight was the module Sex, Scandal, and Sensation in Victorian Literature. It was fascinating and I think about it to this day! Each week brought new perspectives that challenged and excited me, and I discovered several new favourite books along the way. For my final essay, I explored the use of sound in The Woman in White, which I found so engaging to research.
What did you most enjoy about studying here?
Penryn campus felt like home. I felt so relaxed walking around the campus, seeing the llamas (!) and exploring the gardens. I’d always bump into someone I knew, and that strong sense of community made it truly special.
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
Exeter was one of the few universities a joint English and History degree, and the modules looked fascinating. When I first visited Penryn and saw the harbour and the gorgeous green campus – I was sold!
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
The most valuable thing I took from my degree was how it deepened my love of literature and helped me to articulate that passion. Enthusiasm goes a long way in publishing, especially when pitching books! Publishing is such a social industry, so I’ve found being empathetic and open to conversations are some of the most important qualities you can bring to it.
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
Keep up to date on the book world! Whether that be reading The Bookseller, looking at the display tables in Waterstones, or following authors and publishers on social media. Knowing the industry made me feel so much more confident when going to interviews.
What are your plans for the future?
I really enjoy the rights and editorial elements of my job, so I’d love to keep progressing within those areas. Maybe one day I’ll make it to an international book fair too!
