This page is all about us…
Our experience
Between us we have many years of experience in the book trade, and from all angles. We have variously worked for many different publishers and also in independent bookshops, book chains, wholesalers and gallery bookshops. So books are in our blood and most of us have worked in the trade since leaving college. That’s why we think we are pretty good at this.
How it works
If you like what you see and are interested in discussing our services, simply give us a call or drop us a line. And we will take it from there. You are a bookseller, choose a region and the territory manager will put you in touch with your local rep.
The Team – key personnel
Mel Howells
- Director -
Key accounts, London, Cambridge, Oxford.
Manager of Southern region
- “Mel Howells began her book trade career in 1992 at Silver Moon Bookshop in Charing Cross Road, followed by the National Portrait Gallery and Compendium Bookshop in Camden Town. She joined a publishing sales force to represent the Arts Council-funded small presses as well as Granta, Profile, Verso, The Women’s Press and many other independent publishers. Mel is a director of Signature Books and Key Accounts Manager. She manages sales activity in London, Oxford, Cambridge and South, East and West of the UK.”
Jim Sheehan
- Director – North and Scotland. Manager of Northern region
- Jim Sheehan has been in the book trade since 1985 and has very good contacts across the industry. Jim has managed territory from Scotland to the South Coast of England and has valuable experience of the wholesale market, having been part of the sales teams at Bertrams and THE. Jim is a director of Signature and is responsible for new business development and all sales activity in the Midlands, North of England and Scotland.
Cathryn Bell
-
Signature Office - A graduate of Film and Literature, Cath has was a bookseller at Waterstones and has managed the office of Signature independent publishing sales agency for 3 years. She designs and produces most of Signature’s promotional material, manages the ‘virtual office’ which she created and ensures the smooth-running of Signature sales operations.
Juliette Tomlinson
- Juliette has worked for Signature Books for six years. She started her career as a bookseller at Dillons in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. She then joined Lion Publishing as an Area Sales Manager, responsible for Scotland, the North and the Midlands. Her other experience includes Key Account Sales at Waterstone’s, two years as Sales and Marketing Assistant for Dewi Lewis Publishing, and working freelance for small independent book projects. She now works part time for Signature Books from Manchester.
Sharon Megson
- Sharon completed an MA in English Literature in 2010 and joined Signature earlier this year. She is based at the York office where she works on special and non-trade sales projects.