Jenny Geras

Managing Director

I started my career in marketing, and in 2008 moved across to edit and publish commercial fiction, first at Pan Macmillan and then at Penguin Random House, where I ran Arrow, the commercial paperback imprint of the Cornerstone division.

I joined Bookouture in 2017 to recruit and build a new fiction publishing team as Publishing Director. I became Publisher, heading up all of Bookouture’s fiction publishing, in 2019 and stepped up to Managing Director in July 2020.

Ruth Tross

Executive Publisher

I started my editorial career in 2006, and before joining Bookouture I was the crime and thriller publisher at Hodder, where I worked with authors including Jeffery Deaver, Sabine Durrant, Erin Kelly and Vaseem Khan.

At Bookouture I publish no.1 bestsellers Angela Marsons, S.E. Lynes and Leslie Wolfe among others, and I’m always on the hunt for a brilliant twist, an intriguing detective or a standout hook.

Laura Deacon

Publisher

I started working in fiction editorial in 2007 at HarperCollins and since then have worked at Penguin Random House as well as leading the editorial team at Amazon Publishing. I joined Bookouture in August 2020.

I am always on the hunt for the next bestseller whether it be escapist women’s fiction, emotional family drama, twist-laden psychological thrillers or character-driven historical fiction. My list includes number 1 bestselling authors Gregg Olsen and Soraya Lane as well as Carolyn Arnold, Emma Robinson and Victoria Jenkins.

Jessie Botterill

Publisher

After seven years working as a literary agent for Janklow & Nesbit UK, I joined the Bookouture team in 2018 team to pursue my passion for commercial fiction with the best of the best in digital publishing. Here I publish international multi-million-copy bestseller Lisa Regan and Amazon no.1 Samantha Hayes amongst many other hugely talented and successful authors.

As an editor, I’m always on the lookout for stand-out voices and original storytelling. The books I love have clever plots, ingenious hooks and always, always, a compelling protagonist with an unforgettable voice. Crime thrillers, psychological suspense, book-club and women’s fiction, for me it’s about smart, commercial ideas with great hooks and big ambition.

Natasha Harding

Publisher

I’ve worked at Bookouture since 2017. In my current role as Publishing Director I publish chart-topping authors including Daniel Hurst, JD Kirk, Anna Stuart, Shalini Boland, Sandy Taylor – and many more! I publish historical fiction, crime fiction, women’s fiction and everything in between. I’m always on the hunt for page-turning, plot driven novels across all genres. I work with a number of authors who’ve previously successfully self-published or traditionally published and have created strategies to add value to their publishing, extend their readership and take their stories to new heights. Before Bookouture, I worked at Avon, HarperCollins and Pan Macmillan. I had the privilege of working with many talented, bestselling authors in print and digital.

Ellen Gleeson

Publisher

My commercial publishing career began at Bookouture in 2017 and ever since I’ve had the pleasure of publishing a range of authors including New York Times bestseller Freida McFadden, multi-million copy bestselling Nicole Trope, Tuscan-based Angela Petch, the incredibly prolific Kerry Wilkinson, women’s fiction author Liz Eeles and many more.

I love all kinds of commercial fiction, from addictive crime thrillers to uplifting romances and tear-jerking historical fiction. Connecting authors with readers is a true passion of mine and I love helping authors craft the most tantalising hooks possible.

Lydia Vassar-Smith

Associate Publisher

After working on a variety of bestselling authors at Transworld, Michael Joseph and Avon, I joined the Bookouture team in 2015 and have never looked back. Patricia Gibney, K.L. Slater and Carol Wyer are just a few of the authors I publish at Bookouture and I’m actively on the lookout for fabulous storytelling with a brilliant hook.

Jess Whitlum-Cooper

Associate Publisher

Throughout my publishing career, I have collaborated with the very best commercial storytellers in the business, and my passion has always been to bring their voices to the widest possible audience. Before joining Bookouture, I worked as a Commissioning Editor at Headline, where I published authors including Victoria Hislop, Janet Evanovich and Therese Anne Fowler. Prior to that, I started my career at Curtis Brown, working with authors including Jilly Cooper, Jeffery Deaver and Tammy Cohen.

At Bookouture, I am actively acquiring fiction across the commercial spectrum, and I love stories with memorable characters, an incredibly strong sense of place, and a standout hook that will have me gripped from page one.

Helen Jenner

Associate Publisher

I have worked in digital publishing for fifteen years. Before joining Bookouture in 2017, I freelanced for Bloomsbury and worked as a Digital Publishing Manager at Penguin Random House. I publish bestselling crime authors D.K. Hood, Sue Watson and Helen H. Durrant, as well as other brilliantly successful authors. I’m always looking for fresh new voices or established authors looking to take their publishing to new levels. I love books that thrill me from the first page, that have me staying up all night to turn the pages, and that blow my socks off with a killer final twist.

Jennifer Hunt

Associate Publisher

I worked at Lucas Alexander Whitley Literary Agency for three years before joining Bookouture in 2017. Now as Associate Publisher I can’t wait to add more bestsellers to our list.

I’m passionate about twisty commercial fiction, the biggest hooks and the best new writing.

Lucy Frederick

Associate Publisher

I joined Bookouture in 2022 after commissioning a wide range of commercial fiction and working with some brilliant bestselling authors at Avon, Orion and Penguin Random House Children’s. I am always looking for exciting new voices and to be hit over the head with a good hook, whether that’s in a gorgeous rom com, a twisty thriller or an emotional historical story – basically, anything that will make me laugh, cry and keep turning the pages.

Kelsie Marsden

Associate Publisher

I joined Bookouture in summer 2019 after previously working in lifestyle publishing. I love helping authors shape their ideas to nail an absolutely killer hook. I’m always looking for new voices across all genes of commercial fiction, from totally twisty and explosive thrillers to dilemma-driven women’s fiction and swoonworthy romance. I feel passionate about books that make readers feel something – and keep them coming back for more! For me, it’s all about that gripping plot, mind-blowing twists and characters you fall in love with.

Rhianna Louise

Commissioning Editor

I began my publishing career in publicity before I moved to edit and publish commercial fiction. I am so proud to be part of the trail-blazing Bookouture team where I publish bestsellers such as J M Dalgliesh and Rebecca Alexander.

I am always keen to read unputdownable thrillers with brilliant one-line hooks, punchy opening chapters and shocking twists. I adore cozy crime series, and in this area I am looking for a fun cast of returning characters, a warm setting, a gripping mystery, and pacy, witty writing. In historical fiction, I love uplifting, tear-jerking wartime saga series with maximum drama and strong female leads, and atmospheric dual timeline novels full of romance, emotion and a setting to die for. Above all, I want to publish novels that give readers a powerful reaction, whether it’s gasping at a reveal, laughing out loud, or feeling like their heart has been broken and stitched back together.

Cerys Hadwin-Owen

Commissioning Editor

I joined Bookouture in 2024. I’m a lifelong bookworm and I love to get caught up in heart-stopping page-turners! My list includes bestselling cosy crime and escapist women’s fiction, but I’m looking for commercial fiction across all genres. I have over fifteen years of publishing experience, with nearly nine of those at Hachette, and I also run a Bookstagram account.

I’m over the moon to be using my publishing skills and knowledge to acquire and edit commercial fiction – a dream come true!

Brittany Golob

Commissioning Editor

I spent around 12 years as a journalist and editor in magazines and digital media after graduating from Yale and King’s College London. I came to Hachette to bring my project management and editorial expertise to life in book publishing. I’m so excited to be a part of the wonderful team at Bookouture!

Sophie Judge

Commissioning Editor

Half Chinese, half British, I grew up in Singapore and moved to the UK in 2016. I was a part of the editorial team in Hodderscape, Hodder & Stoughton, and am immensely excited to continue my journey at Bookouture. I am grateful to be a part of continuing to build the fantastic list at Second Sky. I love reading anything fantasy or sci-fi, but am extra fond of books steeped in mythology, cosy-spice fantasy, stories about feminine rage, and anything with dark academia undertones.

Lizzie Brien

Commissioning Editor

Prior to joining the editorial team at Bookouture in 2021, I worked in a variety of different roles and sectors (including as a PA, a freelance proofreader, a nanny and a cheese seller) and completed an MA in Publishing in 2019. I am passionate about compelling storytelling across a range of genres including crime, historical and romance, and am always looking for that elusive book that prompts me to cancel all plans and stay in bed reading!

Jess Zahra

Commissioning Editor

I joined Bookouture in spring 2026 having previously had the pleasure of working with a range of brilliant commercial storytellers at Avon. Prior to that, I published a variety of gift and humour at Summersdale, and worked on the frontlines of publishing as a bookseller – and yes, customers do say the strangest things in bookshops!

As an editor, I am drawn to voice-driven and emotional stories that stand out from the crowd, particularly those with slightly darker themes or that take place in unique settings. Above all, I am always chasing entertaining fiction with a clear proposition. I have a particular penchant for visceral thrillers with high stakes, as well as sweeping women’s fiction – bonus points for a historical twist!

Mandy Kullar

Commissioning Editor

Having worked in production and project management in other industries for a number of years, I was incredibly excited to join Bookouture in 2022 and finally combine that experience with a love of books!

Nadia Michael

Desk Editor

Before joining the Bookouture team, I spent the majority of my career working in education and the charity sector.

Having always been passionate about storytelling and commercial fiction, joining the team as a Publishing Executive and transitioning to a career in publishing is an absolute dream!

I love engaging reads of all genres that keep me up all night, from psychological thrillers and historical fiction to hilarious romantic comedies and multi-cultural fiction.

Franz Edlmayr

Head of Translations

I began my publishing career in 2010 on a sales team at Bonnier, before joining the Kindle team at Amazon. In 2013, Amazon Publishing started its German language business and became my professional home for the next 13 years in various roles and ending up as Editorial Director heading the DE team.

I moved to Bookouture in 2026, and as Head of Translations I oversee our in-house translations programme, which brings our authors’ books to readers in languages all over the world. I love the challenge of helping a story that already works for one audience to find its voice and its readers in a completely different market and culture. Outside of publishing, I sit on the board of a housing cooperative in Munich working to create affordable flats in the city.

Verena Stanusch

Translations Editor

I joined Bookouture in 2024 as an editor for the Deutschland team. I have an MA in Comparative and British Literature and have worked as an editor in marketing and later started my career in publishing by joining the editorial team of the digital romance imprint Impress at Carlsen Verlag in German.

Reading was definitely my first love, so I feel very privileged to work with great books and authors every day. I am particularly excited to bring the wonderful commercial fiction Bookouture has to offer to our German readers through the Deutschland list.

Imogen Allport

Publishing Executive

Prior to joining Bookouture in 2022, for three years I worked in marketing at Publishers Group UK where I gained invaluable experience through the title management of a wide range of UK and US-based publishers.

I am absolutely delighted to be working in the editorial team at Bookouture. As an avid reader of psychological thrillers, rom-coms and historical fiction, I am so excited to bring my enthusiasm for these genres to such a dynamic and innovative digital publisher.

Ria Clare

Publishing Executive

After completing my MA in Publishing in 2014, I interned at Simon & Schuster and Little, Brown, then spent six years in magazine publishing and content marketing. I joined Bookouture in 2023 and am thrilled to be working with such a talented and creative team!

I’m passionate about commercial fiction of all genres, though my go-to reads are usually historical fiction or psychological thrillers. I love stories with a complex plot, witty characters, and a twist that I never saw coming.

Hannah Wilson

Publishing Executive

I began my publishing career in the marketing team at Edinburgh University Press, where I discovered how much I enjoy connecting with authors and their work. I joined Bookouture in 2025, and I’m thrilled to be working in such an energetic and innovative environment. I get excited by all kinds of commercial fiction, but I’m particularly drawn to playful rom-coms and fantasy I can escape into.

Izzy Beaumont

Publishing Executive

Before joining Bookouture in early 2026, I began my career in client-facing roles in the tech industry and also spent time as a bookseller.

Having seen first-hand the impact the right book can have on readers, I knew that I wanted to transition into a career in publishing. I’m so excited to be part of the brilliant team here!

I’m passionate about all kinds of fiction, with a particular soft spot for sweet and sharp rom-coms, immersive historical reads I can get lost in and thrillers that keep me guessing.

Lucy Greenwold

Publishing Executive

My publishing career started in sales and marketing at Pinnacle Booksales, where I developed a real appreciation for how great books find their readers. Over time, I found myself wanting to work more closely with the stories I love and made the move into editorial. I joined Bookouture as a Publishing Executive in 2026 and I’m delighted to be part of the incredible team here, working with such wonderful books.

I’m drawn to commercial fiction across all genres, with a particular fondness for thrillers, fantasy and romance. Above all, I love immersive, transportive storytelling that really invites readers to step into another world and keeps them there until the very last page.

Claire Cowan

Publishing Executive

After three years at a property and retail PR agency, I decided to make the big shift to publishing to pursue the industry that truly excites me. I’m delighted to have joined Bookouture as a Publishing Executive in 2026 and be part of this extraordinary team.

I have a particular weakness for fantasy, but I’m passionate about all genres of commercial fiction as long as it’s escapist – I love a book that draws me in and doesn’t let go until I’m out the other side!

Alba Proko

Head of Audio Publishing

I joined the exceptionally talented Bookouture team in September 2020 after five years at Bonnier Books UK, where I handled their non-fiction digital publishing before moving on to focus on audio. I’ve worked on a variety of bestselling audiobooks, from laugh-out-loud celebrity memoirs to chilling true crime stories.

The audiobook market is growing rapidly, and I’m excited to work with our brilliant Bookouture authors to bring their books to life in this format. I’m also passionate about audio publishing and I’m on the lookout for genre fiction and non-fiction that will captivate listeners.

Natalie Butlin

Creative Insights Director

I joined Bookouture in 2015 as its fifth employee, looking for somewhere that gave every book an equal chance, and saw the potential of digital publishing. With a background in agenting at Christine Green, teaching creative writing at The Complete Creative Writing Course, and working in digital marketing, I was ecstatic to find somewhere that put authors first and believed in the importance of data. I’ve worked in almost every area of the company and I’m proud to have been a part of making Bookouture what it is today.

As Creative Insights Director, I love finding ways to keep Bookouture at the forefront of digital publishing and to push every single title to its highest potential. My focus is on all creative aspects of book publishing: concepts, covers, titles and blurbs.

Alex Crow

Digital Communications Director

I joined Bookouture in August 2016, having previously worked in digital marketing and digital project management, both within traditional publishing at Orion and outside the industry. I believe Bookouture is challenging the existing publishing model and the chance to work in such a dynamic and forward-thinking environment was too good to pass up.

Ashleigh Scott

Digital Marketing and Campaigns Director

I’ve worked in digital marketing for nearing 20 years across publishing, education and entertainment and I’m obsessed with all things new technology. I love nothing more than crunching performance numbers, spotting new trends and thinking to the future and all its possibilities. I’m so, so delighted to have joined Bookouture and to be a part of the team who are disrupting the industry and leading the way with digital publishing.

Eleanor Pilcher

Head of Digital Marketing & Campaigns

Before joining Bookouture as Head of Digital Marketing & Campaigns, I worked as a freelance marketing consultant and author coach, having previously worked in-house at Bonnier Books UK, HarperCollins and Canelo. I’m also a traditionally published author of commercial fiction, a podcaster, and an all-around book fanatic. I’ve admired Bookouture since its founding, which coincided with the year I began my career in publishing, and I’m delighted to be part of such an innovative team.

Cíara Rosney

Digital Marketing Manager

After working in digital marketing and communications outside of the publishing industry for three years, I was delighted to join Bookouture in 2021. I am excited to use my marketing experience and passion for books of all kinds to help grow our readership and reach audiences all over the world.

Martyna Młynarska

Digital Communications Executive

I joined Bookouture’s Communications team in 2024. Before then, I worked in the Museums sector, where led on social media strategy highlighting LGBTQ+ stories. I am passionate about developing creative and novel campaigns that allow readers discover and connect with our books.

Jess Readett

Head of Publicity & Campaigns

I began my career in commercial publishing at Bookouture in 2021, thrilled to be able to combine my digital communications expertise with my passion for building online communities and connecting with readers.

At Bookouture, I deliver engaging social media campaigns for viral bestsellers such as The Housemaid by Freida McFadden and grow international author brands such as Angela Marsons and Daniel Hurst. I also lead our Changing the Story initiatives and I am always exploring opportunities to improve representation in our industry.

Noelle Holten

Publicity and Social Media Manager

I have run an award-winning book blog, CrimeBookJunkie, and my passion for reading and reviewing spans decades. I’ve had freelance experience as a manuscript advisor, running my own publicity services company for a time, and now can finally add author to my CV!

I had worked in criminal justice for over 18 years when a dream-come-true opportunity to work in publishing arose and I leapt at the chance. I joined Bookouture in 2017 and am really excited to be able to share all the amazing books, authors and spread the #BookLove everywhere!

Ain Chiara

Head of PageOne

I joined Bookouture in 2024 after working as a publishing consultant, supporting authors and publishers with coaching, brand strategy, social media management, and content creation. Prior to this, I worked in-house in a variety of roles across trade and academic publishing for companies such as Penguin Random House and Oxford University Press.

I have always been passionate about demystifying the industry, so when the opportunity to create and run the Bookouture Publishing Academy came up, I knew it was the perfect next step for me. My hope is that the Academy will support and champion the next generation of authors who are dreaming of turning their stories into best-selling books.

Peta Nightingale

Contracts, Rights and Translations Director

After a career as both a publisher and literary agent that began in 1989, I joined Bookouture in February 2017. This role combines many years of experience in negotiating contracts, and exploring ways we can add value to our authors’ publishing. By bringing rights selling in-house in 2021 we have substantially increased our sub-rights revenue, making Bookouture titles the go-to brand in both translation and film and TV markets. Alongside this I launched Bookouture Translate in 2021, through which we have seen significant success translating and publishing our bestselling titles direct to translation markets worldwide.

Richard King

Rights Director

I spearhead translation and film/TV rights sales across the Bookouture catalogue and work hand-in-glove with my editorial colleagues to ensure we are maximising rights potential from our publishing. In 2023 I won Rights Professional of the Year at the British Book Awards. Before joining Bookouture in 2021, I worked for 10 years in the Rights team at Orion, where I sold a wide variety of rights and genres across the entire Orion list.

Saidah Graham

Contracts and Rights Manager

As part of the rights team at Bookouture I manage the sale of translation rights in Asian and Middle Eastern markets, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia and Romania, as well as large print and audio rights. I also manage the entire contracts process for all our sublicensing deals. Before I joined Bookouture in 2020 I was part of the rights team at Bonnier Books, having completed an MA in Publishing Media.

Hannah Richmond

Commercial Analyst

I dove straight into the publishing industry after finishing my physics degree, completing internships with Felicity Bryan Associates and Profile Books. I love timeless, inclusive storytelling, especially in science fiction and fantasy – turning everything I learned in my degree on its head!

I’m so excited to combine my scientific mind and overactive imagination while working on Bookouture’s fast-paced list of bestsellers.

Hannah Snetsinger

Editorial Manager

I moved to London from the west coast of Canada in 2015 and after completing an MA in International Publishing, I worked as a production editor at Jessica Kingsley Publishers on specialist non-fiction and professional books. I joined Bookouture in 2023 and am delighted to apply my production and editorial expertise to commercial fiction titles and digital publishing. I have always loved to read fiction and am thrilled to be able to work so closely with authors to produce quality books for fellow readers everywhere.

Mark Alder

Data & Analysis Director

Having spent almost ten years in traditional publishing – creating bespoke data systems/reports and providing analysis and insight – it was a simple decision in Feb 2016 to take the opportunity of joining the ground-breaking & innovative team at Bookouture. The numbers speak for themselves!

Russell Antcliff

Head of Digital Operations

After a few years teaching English in Japan, I began working in publishing in 2011. I joined Oxford University Press in a digital asset production role before progressing over the years to become Delivery Team Manager. I worked in Operations there for 14 years in total, gaining a wealth of experience and developing my love of efficient processes that allow people to thrive.

I’m excited to join Bookouture and to lead and develop Digital Operations in an exceptionally dynamic, collaborative, and innovative environment that is well-suited to the continuously evolving digital landscape.

Joe Morris

Digital Operations Executive

After graduating from the University of Nottingham with a BSc in Physics, I started my career in software development at Amadeus, working within the travel and tourism industry.

I am thrilled to be joining Bookouture and look forward to simplifying, streamlining, and innovating processes.

Kiah Tooke

Digital Operations Assistant

After working in communication and operations roles at Tesco for the past 3 years, I’m excited to be joining the Bookouture team and combining my experience with my love of books!

Chris Lucraft

Publishing Innovation Director

I have over 15 years of experience specialising in technology-focused roles in publishing. I’m passionate about using new technology and developing bespoke tools to support the creative world and reach as many readers as possible. I’m driven by innovation, accessibility, and the opportunity to enable authors and publishers to focus on their creativity.

My career began in the music industry at Warner Music International before gravitating to the world of books at Harlequin, and then supporting many major and independent publishers at Virtusales (Biblio). I’ve since worked at Storm Publishing and first joined Bookouture in 2017. I love storytelling and working with a talented team that puts authors and readers first.