Q&A: Sanjee de Silva, Publisher at Sweet Cherry Publishing

For Work in Publishing Week 2025, we're sharing stories from people in publishing. Here we catch up with Sanjee de Silva, Publisher at Sweet Cherry Publishing, about his route into this leadership role, and what he looks out for when recruiting for entry-level and junior publishing roles.

What’s the story of how you found your way into publishing?

My route into publishing was a little unconventional. I originally trained in accounting, which gave me a strong foundation in business management and strategy. While working within the company, I was hand-picked by the founder to lead the publishing arm of the business, an incredible opportunity that allowed me to combine my leadership skills with my lifelong love of books.

Stepping into publishing opened up a whole new world for me. I quickly became passionate about how stories can shape children’s confidence, empathy and imagination. As the publisher, my focus is on ensuring that every child has a positive and empowering experience with books. This includes stories where they can see themselves reflected and discover new worlds at the same time.

As the publisher, my focus is on ensuring that every child has a positive and empowering experience with books. This includes stories where they can see themselves reflected and discover new worlds at the same time.

Today, I’m proud to be leading a publishing team that champions creativity, inclusion and joy in reading, and I’m continually inspired by the impact books can have on young readers’ lives.

What skill did you find most valuable during your first few months in publishing?

It was important to be adaptable and curious as I was stepping into a completely new industry, so I made a conscious effort to learn from everyone around me, editors, designers and marketing teams. I asked questions, listened and wasn’t afraid to say when I was unsure of something.

That combination of structure and curiosity helped me build confidence and create a foundation for the publishing list we’re growing today. It taught me that publishing is as much about people and passion as it is about process. This curiosity has not waned despite the many years as I so often say, "everyday is a school day". We have much to learn and we can learn it together but I have much to teach in return.

It was important to be adaptable and curious as I was stepping into a completely new industry, so I made a conscious effort to learn from everyone around me, editors, designers and marketing teams.

What’s a part of the publishing process you didn’t even realise existed before you started?

Before I started in publishing, I had no idea just how much work goes into publishing each title. I’d always thought once a manuscript was edited, it somehow magically became a finished book. But seeing the process up close, I realised how many creative and technical decisions are involved: layout, typography, paper quality, cover design and even how colours print differently on different materials.

It gave me a whole new respect for the people who bring a book to life visually and physically. That stage is where a story truly transforms into something a child can hold, read and fall in love with. Understanding that process helped me appreciate how every detail, from font choice to finish, contributes to a child’s reading experience. It's been a real joy to be involved and add value to every book with my inability to read, that be due to my dyslexia, which allowed the designers to consider this for every child or by reading a book as a child would and understanding where pacing needs to change with illustrations and where they can be relaxed with less illustrations due the point in the story where illustrations are not needed.

What one experience really stands out from your first year in publishing?

Not one experience stands out from my first year in publishing as most of it was a blur of trying to understand the business whilst spearheading the launch of two new imprints at the same time. The real impact of what we were doing here was when we went into schools. It was such a powerful reminder of why representation matters and why our work goes beyond producing books, it’s about helping children see themselves, feel valued and develop a lifelong love of reading. It confirmed that I was exactly where I was meant to be and motivated me to keep building a publishing list that makes every child feel included.

Collaboration is the heart of publishing, it’s a team effort built on trust, creativity, and shared purpose.

What’s the best piece of unofficial advice you picked up – something no one tells you before you start?

The best piece of unofficial advice I picked up is that trust your instincts and it's just common sense. In publishing, every project is different, and the industry is constantly evolving, so it’s impossible to have all the answers from the start.

What matters most is being open to learning, asking questions, and surrounding yourself with people who are passionate about what they do. I learned early on that collaboration is the heart of publishing, it’s a team effort built on trust, creativity, and shared purpose.

Once I embraced that mindset, I stopped worrying about having to 'prove' myself and started focusing on growing, experimenting, and celebrating each book as a collective achievement.

What skills and attributes do you particularly look out for when hiring people into entry-level and junior roles in your company?

When hiring for entry-level and junior roles, I prioritise what I call 'hunger' — a strong drive and a desire to prove oneself. A great example of this is Emma Steele, who joined us from a background as a qualified SEND teacher with 17 years of experience. While she didn't come from publishing, her passion for making a difference to her students was clear. I simply asked her, "How would you like to make a world of difference to a lot more SEND Kids?"

When hiring for entry-level and junior roles, I prioritise what I call 'hunger' – a strong drive and a desire to prove oneself.

Like me, Emma faced a life-changing decision: to pursue the 'yellow brick road' of publishing or continue on a familiar and well trodden path of educaton. It was her hunger to succeed, to do the work necessary to learn a whole new craft, skillset, and business, that has led to her remarkable achievements and success. As the old adage goes, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." The same applies in publishing. Emma is one of many aspiring individuals I've offered the same opportunity that was given to me, but not all have achieved her level of success. The main difference lies in their personal drive and ambition.

At Sweet Cherry, we offer a ‘blank check’ to our recruits. You can fill your page with anything you want, and like Emma, if it doesn't fit our current list, we'll even start a new imprint to champion your vision. In Emma's case, we even started a new company around her. It doesn't matter that she had never published a book or worked in the industry before. We can provide the necessary training and support. What we needed was her vision, expertise, and commitment. This is the same opportunity we offer to every single recruit for every single job in the company. Some have that inherent drive, and some don't.

If your career in publishing were a book title, what would it be – and why?

This one is easy! Pygmalian of Publishing – I believe just like Professor Higgins took Eliza Doolittle under his wing, Abdul Thadha (the founder of Sweet Cherry Publishing) took me under his wing to create the publisher I am today.