How many titles do you publish each year?

About twenty-five.

What are the main qualities you look for in a new author?

Having something to say, most of all, combined with a desire to write for a real audience. Sometimes my attention will be grabbed by an idea, a turn of phrase, or an anecdote. Sometimes something so important lands that you can’t not publish it. I want to find authors willing to take risks, who won’t look back over their shoulders but will direct their words out into the world.

In your dealings with authors, what is the greatest pleasure – and challenge?

The early conversations – in person, by email or phone, or those in my head as I read their manuscripts. The excitement as you think, ‘we could make this work’; and the realisation, in the midst of that buzz, that you share a vision. At times I realise that an overly-cautious author, burdened by their own expertise, isn’t doing their subject justice.That’s a terrible disappointment that you have to suck up, then try to fix. The opposite is the joy you feel when something turns out to be even better than you hoped.

Do you write yourself? If so, has it informed your work as a publisher?

I’ve been thinking about this a lot as I work on my own book. My biggest concern is not to miss my own deadline – such bad karma. I thought becoming a writer would make me a better publisher. Now I’m not so sure. But being a publisher for twenty years has definitely made me a better writer, though I now understand why authors want to talk non-stop about their work. I fear I am becoming that person at a party everyone is stepping away from.

Who are the editors/publishers you most admire?

Diana Athill, at least as she presents herself in Stet. I still remember a conversation I had with John Iremonger about political biography. Stephen Page at Faber is very interesting on the place of publishing in our digital world. But I most admire the Australian publishers working hard every day to match good books with their readers. Who are they? Nearly all of them.

In a highly competitive market, is individuality one of the casualties?

No, I think it may be a beneficiary. You want a writer who will stand out because of their voice, their originality, their story.

On publication, which is more gratifying – a brilliant launch, a satisfied author, encomiastic reviews, or rapid sales?

Is it greedy to ask for all of the above? I would also add responsive and engaged readers to that mix.

What’s the outlook for new writing of quality?

Rosy. Distraction is the main enemy of writers and readers. Step away from your phone!

Phillipa McGuinness is Executive Publisher at NewSouth Publishing. She edited the book Copyfight (2015) and is writing a history of the year 2001, to be published by Random House in 2018.