This week we welcomed Carney Sims to the Wakefield family. You’ll find her sitting behind the desk in our little bookshop, where she will be taking over events and administration duties. We asked Carney a few questions about her background and interests, as well as, of course, her taste in books!

Tell us about yourself/your background. 🙂
Hello! As a sensitive, philosophical Scorpio, I’ve always resorted to writing and words as a natural outlet for expression, and reading as a means of escapism and learning. So, this composition of traits lead me toward studying Journalism, to eventually working in street press publishing – followed by a diverted few years of deep Yoga study and introspection (and a lot of random jobs that served their purpose in between) – to now returning to the publishing sphere at Wakefield Press!

What is the last book you read?
I’m one of those people who will read three books simultaneously. What I pick up from my bedside table is dependent on how I’m feeling that day – and often this sees me not finishing a book until a year or so later. Though the last book I did complete was Her Blood is Gold by Lara Owen. It’s a book that touches on the history, taboo and societal attitudes surrounding menstruation, which I found to be both empowering and enraging.

What sorts of books do you usually go for?
A few years ago I ignited a deep connection to the practice of Yoga, which catapulted me into a vortex of other Vedic sciences (as it does); texts on Ayurveda (traditional health science), meditation and Jyotish (Vedic Astrology). Though recently I have slowly been emerging out of the esoteric cave of my go-to topics and am widening my interests by once again picking up art, fiction and poetry books.

What are your current creative pursuits?
I rediscovered my childhood appreciation for painting and drawing late last year, which happened to serve as a form of art therapy at the time. I’ve been experimenting with gouache, acrylic, pastels, digital art and now oil painting. Once my vision is refined, I’d like to share these creations beyond the walls of my makeshift studio.

I’ve also leaned a lot on writing about my experiences in the last few years, along with poems, after a bit of a hiatus. I hope these will see the light of day at some point too!

What is your impression of publishing as a newcomer?
I’m super excited to familiarise myself with the process of a manuscript becoming a real-life book, along with the faces of our authors and the opportunity to support their work at launches. I feel like I’ve landed in a place of meaningful work.

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