We're kicking off series 2 by sharing a conversation with Aimée Felone, the managing director of inclusive children's publisher, Knight's Of, and co-director of Round Table Books - a community-led bookshop in Brixton.
After feeling frustrated and ready to give up on publishing following negative experiences of tokenism and racial inequality at work, Aimée got together with D Stevens to create great children's books which feature a whole range of characters with different perspectives and different identities to give kids great representation.

It was v fun to chat to Aimée in the bookshop her and the RTB team have worked so hard to bring to life, and we managed to record without too many stops as the other Brixton Market vendors noisily opened up shop on a busy Friday morning.
Been inspired to create something of your own after hearing from Aimee? Let us know on social!

NB: you'll be chuffed to know that Aimée and the KO team are now in their new office in central London. And Round Table Books have moved just around the corner and can now be visited at73 Granville Arcade, Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8PS.

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5:30 - The Knights Of story
7:00 - A physical space - Round Table Books
11:10 - Origins of the brand name
12:18 - Publishing frustrations + the birth of Knights Of
16:09 - Securing funding
19:10 - Work that came before to increase representation in children's publishing
20:48 - Sourcing motivation to bring Knights Of to life
25:00 - Understanding the needs of the customer
26:15 - On creativity + calling yourself a Creative
29:50 - Maintaining a creative workplace
33:37 - Aimée's advice for working to solve your own frustration
38:34 - Books to look out for in the last few months of 22

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Useful links

- The 2018 CLPE Reflecting Realities report that Aimée mentions at 7:20 - https://clpe.org.uk/research/clpes-reflecting-realities-survey-ethnic-representation-within-uk-childrens-literature-0
- Tales On Moon Lane - children's bookshop in Herne Hill, London - https://www.talesonmoonlane.co.uk/
- Alake Pilgrim - Zo and the Forest of Secrets - https://www.roundtablebooks.co.uk/knights-of/signed-dedicated-zo-and-the-forest-of-secrets
- Girlhood Unfiltered seeks to bring the voices of young Black girls to the front in this upcoming release from the Knights Of team and Ebinehita Iyere of Milk Honey Bees. Keep your eyes peeled for a copy in Nov 22 - coming next month (Nov 22) - https://www.roundtablebooks.co.uk/knights-of/signed-dedicated-girlhood-unfiltered

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artists in residence is hosted by Isabelle Wilkinson, founder of the artists in residence community.
To get in touch, pitch yourself as a guest, or share your creative project with us, email [email protected]
Post production by Billy Truswell
Brand design and episode artwork by Holly Whitaker

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Catch us on social

artists in residence @artistsinreside

Isabelle Wilkinson @isabellewilki

Aimée Felone @aimeefelone

Knights Of @_knightsof @roundtablebooks