Mitchell Albert Email & Phone Number

London, Gb

London, Uk

London, United Kingdom

I co-founded this small press specialising in classic and contemporary short fiction from around the world (including first-time translations into English), in addition to novels, memoirs and poetry.

London, Uk

I specialise in structural and copy editing, and have worked with publishing houses, literary agents, independent authors, magazines, academics and other clients on non-fiction and fiction manuscripts, feature articles, dissertations and promotional materials. I have also worked with new and established writers as a writing coach, helping them to access their truest voices and to refine their work, and have taught editing workshops for the likes of The British Centre for Literary Translation and The Royal Literary Fund. I have also consulted on a number of independent publishing projects across a wide range of genres from fiction to fine arts, advising on editorial, production and distribution matters.In 2013, I co-developed and co-edited KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE WALL: PALESTINIAN LANDSCAPES, a book of photography and essays published in 2013 in France by Éditions Textuel and in the UK by Saqi.From its inception in 2006 until its final issue in 2011, I edited and commissioned feature articles for STEPPE, an illustrated, upmarket biannual magazine of Central Asian arts and culture.

Reading, United Kingdom

I was hired to revitalise Garnet Publishing, a company of long standing that had been functioning in crisis mode since the departure of the previous Publisher. Managing a team of four, I introduced new editorial, commissioning, sales, distribution, marketing, publicity and social media strategies, hired new personnel and improved working practices. In 2015 I created Periscope, a new imprint for literary fiction and non-fiction, featuring authors around the world. It surpassed expectations in its first year, with one title (THE MOOR'S ACCOUNT by Laila Lalami) long-listed for the 2015 Man Booker Prize and another (LONG TIME NO SEE by Hannah Lowe) selected as a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week. Periscope’s other titles include books (in translation or otherwise) by writers from Bangladesh, Canada, Finland, India, Iraqi Kurdistan, Pakistan, South Korea, Syria and the US, as well as the UK. I also oversaw Garnet, an imprint for trade non-fiction from and about the Middle East, and Ithaca Press, an academic imprint specialising in Middle East Studies.

London, Uk

I was invited to take charge of Saqi's general trade non-fiction imprint, The Westbourne Press, for one year whilst its Commissioning Editor convalesced after a serious illness. (I also managed Telegram, the literary fiction imprint I helped found in 2005.) I brought outstanding book projects to completion, oversaw weekly editorial board meetings and commissioned new titles, including ZEALOT: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JESUS OF NAZARETH by Reza Aslan (a New York Times best-seller from Random House) and a new book by Iain Sinclair (transferred to Hamish Hamilton in 2014 and published as LONDON OVERGROUND: A DAY'S WALK AROUND THE GINGER LINE).

Norwich, Norfolk, Uk

This prominent literature organisation, which became the National Centre for Writing in 2018, holds ‘National Portfolio Organisation’ status with Arts Council England and led Norwich’s successful bid to become England’s first UNESCO City of Literature in 2012. As its first-ever Programme Director, I was charged with delivering an ambitious, diverse array of activities. I headed a team of four project managers and liaised with authors, publishers, literary agents, translators, funding bodies, venues and the faculty of the Creative Writing programme at the University of East Anglia. As deputy to the Executive Director, I participated in the organisation’s strategic and operational development. Programmes within my remit included a literature ‘showcase’ held in conjunction with the British Council, for writers, publishers and other delegates from over a dozen countries; the literature component of the renowned Norfolk and Norwich Festival, featuring Alain de Botton, Carol Ann Duffy, Alan Moore and Iain Sinclair; and an annual conference hosting forty writers including Eleanor Catton, J. M. Coetzee, Teju Cole, Vesna Goldsworthy, Michael Ondaatje and Jeanette Winterson. I was also responsible for delivering continuing professional development courses for writers, and inaugurated a reader-engagement programme in conjunction with Norwich Millennium Library.

I joined PEN International, the worldwide writers’ association and freedom of expression NGO, as the first dedicated editor of its literary magazine. I was charged with its relaunch and development, and my responsibilities encompassed all aspects of content, design, budget and editorial policy. I liaised closely with PEN International’s board and funders, and commissioned and edited the work of emerging and renowned writers worldwide, including Lydia Cacho, Nawal El Saadawi, Petina Gappah, James Kelman, Alain Mabanckou, Alberto Manguel, Azar Nafisi, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Olive Senior and Binyavanga Wainaina. In 2010 I replaced the outgoing Communications Director and worked on the organisation’s rebranding and new website development, as well as managing communications at the 76th PEN Congress in Tokyo. I later became Editorial Director, responsible for editorial policy across all internal and external communications and reporting to the Executive Director and President.I also helped coordinate the ‘Free the Word!’ literature festivals in London and in several other cities worldwide, and oversaw the final stages of a five-year European Union grant to fund these festivals.

London, United Kingdom

I headed the editorial department of this established, rapidly expanding independent publishing house and helped develop its list, commissioning and editing a broad range of titles. I also played an instrumental role in creating and commissioning for Telegram, Saqi’s literary fiction imprint.My responsibilities included oversight of the editorial board and all editorial policy; editing manuscripts and acquiring new titles; managing freelance editors, proofreaders, designers and picture editors; liaising with authors, literary agents, foreign publishers and funding bodies; negotiating acquisition contracts; writing catalogue copy, jacket blurbs and advance information sheets; creating a new style guide; collaborating on the design and production of books and promotional materials; representing the company at book fairs and conferences, and in the media.

London / Amsterdam

I served on an interim basis as Managing Editor of the publishing wing of this esteemed Dutch cultural foundation on a part-time basis until the position could be filled permanently. I oversaw the development of projects such as books on contemporary African aesthetics, international communist architecture, Iranian cinema and political cartoons from around the world.

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba (Hons), Liberal Arts And Sciences/Liberal Studies

Cinematography And Film/Video Production