SoA Sounds

The Society of Authors

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

  1. BONUS SPECIAL – A crie de coeur for human translators

    12/10/2025

    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 exclusive extracts from our recent translation duel event with Danie; Hahn chairing a battle between Frank Wynne and Ros Schwartz as they debate their own translations of the same text. This podcast is brought to you thanks to the kind sponsorship of the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society."   Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year's membership.  ALCS Online dictionary French-English - Larousse SoA survey reveals a third of translators and quarter of illustrators losing work to AI - The Society of Authors Stand in solidarity with human translators - The Society of Authors Audible Expands Catalog with AI Narration and Translation for Publishers Kindle Translate: AI-powered service for multilingual eBooks Taylor & Francis to make more translated books available more quickly using advanced AI - Taylor & Francis Newsroom Spotify's AI Voice Translation Pilot Means Your Favorite Podcasters Might Be Heard in Your Native Language — Spotify Spotify Opens Up Support for ElevenLabs Audiobook Content — Spotify Ian Giles - The Society of Authors Alger, lavoir galant | Éditions Albin Michel Daniel Hahn - About Ros Schwartz | Literary translator Frank Wynne – Translator, Writer, Mammal, Fool Polly Barton Join the SoA - The Society of Authors

    34 min
  2. BONUS SPECIAL – Making Tax Digital and making tax make sense with HW Fisher

    12/03/2025

    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 self-assessment, coming in the Spring. Podcast host and SOA Contracts Advisor, Theo Jones, hears from Principal at HW Fisher, Andy Levett, with what it is you need to know and how to prepare. And from apportioning expenses, setting up limited companies, double tax and record keeping, Andy answers those perennial questions from writers managing their tax affairs.  This podcast is brought to you thanks to the kind sponsorship of the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society."   Show notes:  Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year's membership.  HW Fisher - UK Chartered Accountants - London  Andy Levett - Senior Manager - HW Fisher  Making Tax Digital for Income Tax - HMRC guide  Nigel Kennedy | Warner Classics  Self Assessment - GOV.UK  Amish | Definition, History, Beliefs, Education, Children, Lifestyle, & Facts | Britannica  Choose the right software for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax - GOV.UK  Accounting software for every small business - FreeAgent  Quickbooks Alternative | Xero UK  Smart, Simple Accounting & Bookkeeping Software | QuickBooks UK  Sign up for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax - GOV.UK  Rent a room in your home: The Rent a Room Scheme - GOV.UK  Tax on foreign income: If you're taxed twice - GOV.UK  Financial Conduct Authority | FCA  HW Fisher's Authors and Journalists Tax Guide  Join the SoA - The Society of Authors

    1h 1m
  3. Funding matters: Funding opportunities in England, Scotland and Wales

    06/30/2025

    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 and how can writers access those funds? How do bodies with funding authority allocate their monies? And what of the wider network of funding initiatives and opportunities for writers?   Join SoA Advisory Clinic podcast host Theo Jones as we bring you another chance to catch up on this timely event thanks to the #SoAathome festival team. Featuring Pete Stones and Patrick Cash from the Arts Council England, Alan Bett from Creative Scotland and Leusa Llewelyn from Literature Wales. Show notes:   Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year's membership.  ALCS  Funding Week | Industry Insider - Funding opportunities in England, Scotland and Wales - The Society of Authors  Anna Ganley - The Society of Authors  Alan Bett | Creative Scotland  Our Staff - Literature Wales  Creators' Rights Alliance  International Authors Forum – A forum for Authors' Organisations  The London Book Fair | Defining the Future of Creative Content  The Society of Authors – The UK trade union for more than 12,500 writers, illustrators and literary translators.  The Society of Authors Bookshop UK  Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre - Literature Wales  Arts Council England Homepage  Contact us | Arts Council England  Spread the Word – Helping London's writers make their mark on the page, the screen and in the world.  the87press  Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants | Arts Council England  Diversity | Arts Council England  Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP) | Arts Council England  Home | Creative Scotland  Bloody Scotland | International Crime Writing Festival  Festival Info - Borders Book Festival  Gutter  New Writing Scotland - Association for Scottish Literature  Northwords Now  Open Funding | Creative Scotland  Open Fund for Individuals | Creative Scotland  Dundee and Angus Scots Scriever announced | Creative Scotland  Scottish Poetry Library - The world's leading resource for Scottish poetry  Moniack Mhor - Scotland's Creative Writing Centre  Life of a Book: Author Development Programme - Moniack Mhor  Scottish Book Trust - Reading, Writing & Literacy Charity - Scottish Book Trust  Gaelic Books Council - Supporting Scottish Gaelic writers and publishers  Literature Wales | Developing Literature in Wales  Arts Council of Wales | Arts Council of Wales  Children's Laureate Wales - Literature Wales   Alex Wharton, Children's Laureate Wales 2023-2025 - Literature Wales  Writers of Wales Directory - Literature Wales  Information and Background - Literature Wales  Hay Festival – After Hours Birmingham, 24 July 2025  Inspiring Communities Fund - Literature Wales  Individuals | Arts Council of Wales  Ineligible Application PROJECT GRANTS: Under £15,000  Rates and fees - The Society of Authors  Welcome to WGGB: The Writers' Union - The Writers' Guild of Great Britain  National Union of Journalists (NUJ): Home  DYCP case studies | Arts Council England  Contact Us | Creative Scotland  Join the SoA - The Society of Authors  Events The Society of Authors  Donate The Society of Authors – The UK trade union for more than 12,500 writers, illustrators and literary translators.

    1h 30m
  4. Artificially Intelligent: the latest on collective licensing and parliamentary debate

    05/12/2025

    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 all the latest as the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society (ALCS) launch their limited licensing initiatives together with the CLA (the Copyright Licensing Agency) and the Authors' Guild in the US speak to us about their Human-authored Certification project. We also bring you up to speed on a recent parliamentary debate on the impact of AI on the creative industries with author and Minister at DCMS Sir Chris Bryant attending for the government. Featuring Richard Combes from ALCS, Umair Kazi from the Authors' Guild and a host of parliamentarians. This podcast is brought to you thanks to the kind sponsorship of the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society. Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year's membership.  ALCS Ambre Morvan - The Society of Authors The SoA's message to Meta: don't steal our books - The Society of Authors Petition · Protect authors' livelihoods from the unlicensed use of their work in AI training - United Kingdom · Change.org ALCS | ALCS submission to Government's AI and copyright consultation ALCS | Changes to Copyright Licensing Agency licences Human Authored Certification - The Authors Guild Intellectual Property: Artificial Intelligence - Hansard - UK Parliament Government consultation on AI and copyright closes with unprecedented day of action by creative sector - The Society of Authors SoA report into authors' views on the AI and Copyright consultation - The Society of Authors Peter Kyle on X: "Thank you to everyone who responded to our consultation on Ai and copyright. As we work through the 11,000 responses I promise no changes will be considered unless we can be sure the solution works for creators- that is a red line and we will honour it. https://t.co/s6Y1OUpv2i" / X Make It Fair - News Media Association Pay the Creator — creators' rights alliance Audio Drama - The Society of Authors A-Brave-New-World-_ALCS_AI_Report.pdf Hargreaves review of intellectual property and growth: government response - GOV.UK Don't gift our work to AI billionaires: Mark Haddon, Michael Rosen and other creatives urge government | Artificial intelligence (AI) | The Guardian Public Lending Right (PLR): Eligibility & Registration - The British Library Collective licence to ensure UK authors get paid for works used to train AI | Books | The Guardian The Unbelievable Scale of AI's Pirated-Books Problem - The Atlantic Federal Law Enforcement Arrests and Indicts Z-Library Operators with AG's Assistance - The Authors Guild Fair Use Chapter 1 - Circular 92 | U.S. Copyright Office Supreme Court sides against Andy Warhol Foundation in copyright case : NPR FAQs on the Human Authored Certification - The Authors Guild Parliamentlive.tv - Westminster Hall James Frith MP for Bury North Carolyn Harris Home | Wendy Chamberlain MP for North East Fife Caroline Dinenage MP | Gosport Oh, I'm sorry, tech bros – did DeepSeek copy your work? I can hardly imagine your distress | Marina Hyde | The Guardian Contact information for Alison Hume - MPs and Lords - UK Parliament John McDonnell MP Lizzi Collinge MP Chris Bryant MP for Rhondda and Ogmore - Rhondda and Ogmore's Voice

    1h 18m
  5. Streaming now… an investigation into subscription models for online audiobooks

    04/28/2025

    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 definitions, interrogate the payment models and survey the landscape of who is offering what. This podcast is brought to you thanks to the kind sponsorship of the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society. Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year's membership.  https://www.alcs.co.uk/ https://societyofauthors.org/soa-profiles/ambre-morvan/ https://societyofauthors.org/2025/02/25/uk-creative-industries-launch-copyright-fightback-against-global-tech-firms-ai-models/ https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english-french/stream#:~:text=to%20stream,en%20streaming%20(film%2C%20TV) https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2003/10/16Audible-and-Apple-Announce-Availability-of-Exclusive-Content-Through-Apple-iTunes/ https://societyofauthors.org/2023/10/10/soa-demands-transparency-and-action-on-publishers-streaming-deals-with-spotify/ https://www.audible.co.uk/ep/memberbenefits https://www.audible.co.uk/ep/audible-plus-member-benefit https://www.spotify.com/uk/premium/ https://www.findawayvoices.com/earn https://www.kobo.com/us/en/plus/plans?srsltid=AfmBOord248ssMNqpXRCAzytwzuG9mHwiBul6QlhKECzGo_foZamm6yw https://www.audiobooks.co.uk/pricing?srsltid=AfmBOoraB1aYyuxLIjOIrXuvPGggrgQc4GkPEa3cPWNKp9VYQW62CbQK https://www.overdrive.com/ https://www.listening-books.org.uk/ https://itunespartner.apple.com/books/partners https://societyofauthors.org/2023/11/02/spotify-streaming-deal-send-a-letter-to-your-publisher/ https://societyofauthors.org/where-we-stand/fair-remuneration/#:~:text=The%20success%20of%20Britain's%20creative,in%20every%2011%20working%20people. https://www.creatorsrightsalliance.org/paythecreator

    36 min
  6. Our words, not yours: the Meta protest

    04/14/2025

    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 your continued and ongoing support as we continue to navigate the stormy weather wrought by the unregulated field of Artificial Intelligence, and the crucial role played by creators and their works in developments that threaten their future livelihoods and careers. Featuring contributions from Abie Longstaff, AJ West, Anna Ganley, Candy Gourlay, Piers Torday and Kate Mosse.  This podcast is brought to you thanks to the kind sponsorship of the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society. ALCS  Discover A.J. West - Official home to author, A.J. West's novels, short stories and more  UK authors stage protest at Meta HQ against Zuckerberg's #bookthieves - The Society of Authors  The Unbelievable Scale of AI's Pirated-Books Problem - The Atlantic  Petition · Protect authors' livelihoods from the unlicensed use of their work in AI training - United Kingdom · Change.org  The SoA's message to Meta: don't steal our books - The Society of Authors  abielongstaff.com  Why I – and other bestselling authors – are protesting outside Meta today | The Independent  Candy Gourlay  Home - Piers Torday  Send a Letter to AI Companies Telling Them They Do Not Have the Right to Use Your Work  Email Your MP — Creative Rights In AI Coalition  Statement on AI training  Join the SoA - The Society of Authors  Make It Fair - News Media Association

    28 min
  7. What Does a Publisher Actually Do?  from London Book Fair

    03/31/2025

    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 chance to catch up on an event originally produced as part of the London Book Fair's Writers' Summit 2025. Featuring the Deputy Chief Executive of the SoA, Sarah Burton, writers Penny Batchelor, Mark Edwards, and SoA Fellow and writer,  Philip Womack. This podcast is brought to you thanks to the the kind sponsorship of the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society.  Not a member? Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your first year's membership.  www.alcs.co.uk Sarah Burton – The Society of Authors  Philip Womack - Royal Literary Fund  Penny Batchelor - Author Bookshop UK  Mark Edwards - Mark Edwards  Embla Books - Bonnier Books  The ADCI Literary Prize – The Society of Authors  Wildlord by Philip Womack (9781912417971/Paperback) | LoveReading4Kids  Ghostlord by Philip Womack (9781915071262/Paperback) | LoveReading4Kids  Fellows – The Society of Authors  Fair remuneration – The Society of Authors  A profession struggling to sustain itself – The Society of Authors  Home - Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency  Self Publishing | Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing  LJ Ross - The Multi-Million Bestselling Author  Beautiful Books You Won't Forget | Salt Publishing  Bookouture  Storm Publishing - adult fiction publishing  Boldwood - Publishing Reimagined  Substack - A new economic engine for culture  A guide to the data protection principles | ICO  End bad practice in 'hybrid' / paid-for publishing – sign the open letter – The Society of Authors  Get in touch – The Society of Authors  The advisory team on: scams – The Society of Authors  Public Lending Right (PLR): Eligibility & Registration - The British Library  Two New Daggers Announced - The Crime Writers' Association

    46 min

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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