Founder and publisher

Penny has been creating children’s books as an editor and writer for 30 years, working with many inspiring authors, artists and publishing professionals. She started Mama Makes Books as an exciting new chapter in her life, inspired by her mum who worked up to her 80th birthday. “As a mum and now grandma, I still have energy and enthusiasm – why not use my experience and knowledge to be braver, be entrepreneurial, create something to be proud of?”  So here is Mama Makes Books, a small company with a big heart, ambitions to inspire and educate a new generation, and to be a force for good.

Designer

Graham is, in his own words, ‘a highly underestimated talent’, who has worked in book and magazine publishing for many years. He is a perfectionist and his talents include old-school knowledge of typography and print processes, skilled draughtsmanship, and a meticulous eye for detail. He is unflappable and unfailingly good humoured (which is just as well sometimes!).

Sales, marketing and publicity

Susan has worked in children’s publishing for more than 20 years and has an in-depth knowledge of marketing, publicity and sales. With fond memories of reading pretty much all the children’s books in the local library when she was growing up, her passion is to ensure that all children have access to brilliant and inspiring books that they will enjoy and learn from. She has worked for the Hachette Children’s Group and more recently Welbeck Children’s Books, and relishes the opportunity of working with authors, illustrators and creatives and seeing their books grow and flourish.

Marketing and social media

Mollie is a media and communications graduate, and her increasing knowledge and skills, along with her youth, have become invaluable to Mama Makes Books. She helps with all things web and social media, writing and creating content.

Emotional support and general layabout

The Rights Solution

Contact Gwen for publishing rights in the UK, North America, ANZ, South Africa, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Wales

Gwen started her journey in the publishing world in 1995, working for the Autotrader Group and John Wiley and Sons, before moving to Autumn Publishing (part of the Bonnier Group) for 12 years as International Sales Manager and then Sales Director. In July 2012, she took a big leap and started her own sales agency, which has grown sales for a collection of small but perfectly formed publishers.

The Rights Solution

Contact Rachel for publishing rights in Germany, France, Scandinavia, the Netherlands and Eastern Europe

Rachel started in publishing at Victoria House Publishing (part of Reader's Digest) followed by eight years at Pinwheel, during which time she was International Sales Manager for the group formed by the acquisition of Andromeda Oxford and Gullane. In 2008, Rachel set up Capricorn International Rights. She speaks fluent German and French.

The Rights Solution

Contact Aby for publishing rights in Asia (inc. China, Japan, Taiwan), UK special sales, Spain & South America and Portugal & Brazil

Aby started in publishing with Imagine That and was responsible for rights sales there for 12 years. In 2010 she set up her own agency, AbyBooks, and has been supporting small publishers with their rights business since.