The Open Book Podcast
with David Steinberger

A behind-the-scenes look at books and publishing

Join us for wide-ranging discussions with publishers, editors, authors, journalists, thinkers, executives, and other makers of culture, hosted by David Steinberger, CEO of Open Road Media and Chairman of the National Book Foundation.

Love the podcast? Want to suggest a topic? Share your feedback with us at openbook@openroadmedia.com.

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Start with Curiosity

Perminder Mann

CEO of UK & International, Simon & Schuster

Perminder Mann is CEO of UK & International for Simon & Schuster, a role she stepped into in May 2024 after eight years as Group CEO of Bonnier Books UK. In this episode, Perminder traces an unlikely path to the top of publishing—from a working-class immigrant family outside West London, where she didn’t own a book until she was 22, to special sales, a tour through the toy industry, and ultimately the corner office. She talks about elocution lessons, flexibility as a philosophy, and what she is doing at Simon & Schuster to build a culture where difference is celebrated rather than managed around.

INTERVIEWED ON: February 3rd, 2026

Books discussed:

107 Days by Kamala Harris

For the first time, and with surprising and revealing insights, former Vice President Kamala Harris tells the story of one of the wildest and most consequential presidential campaigns in American history.

Under Water by Tara Menon

An intense, atmospheric novel about the devastating power of friendship, set against the backdrop of two cataclysmic events.

Tom’s Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce and Jaime Zollars

From beloved author Philippa Pearce, this sixtieth-anniversary edition is the perfect way to share this transcendent story of friendship with a new generation of readers. Philip Pullman, bestselling author of the His Dark Materials trilogy, called Tom’s Midnight Garden “A perfect book.”

Mallory Towers by Enid Blyton

There's more to life than lessons at Malory Towers, Enid Blyton's best-loved boarding school series. This fantastic bumper collection contains Malory Towers books 1-3, with a brand-new cover illustrated by Pippa Curnick.