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

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

Publishing Director

After seven years working as a literary agent for Janklow & Nesbit UK, I joined the Bookouture 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

Publishing Director

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

Publishing Director

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

Before joining Bookouture in 2017, I worked as Digital Publishing Manager at Penguin Random House, working with bestselling authors and launching new digital products under the Penguin brand. I came to Bookouture with a passion for digital publishing that has grown and grown and I am privileged to work with a team of brilliantly talented people in a job that fuels both my creative side and my rather nerdy love of data.

I have built a list of brilliant commercial fiction authors, all bringing their own passion to their books, which I am truly proud to publish. I’m always looking for new voices – gripping crime thrillers, psychological thrillers that knock my socks off with a killer twist or a women’s fiction title that warms the cockles or has me weeping as I turn the pages.

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 heart- wrenching, dilemma-driven women’s fiction. 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.

Ruth Jones

Commissioning Editor

I joined Bookouture in 2023 after four years working for Little, Brown Books across a wide range of bestselling authors and brands. I adore working on compulsive, heart-stopping fiction across a variety of genres that begs you to keep turning the page. I’m delighted to join the team at Bookouture where I’m on the hunt for pacey thrillers, sweeping historical, unputdownable rom-coms and emotional women’s fiction.

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.

Harriet Wade

Commissioning Editor

After six years at traditional literary indie publishers (most recently heading up a crime fiction imprint) I joined Bookouture in 2023. Before my career in publishing I was a TV producer, which helped shape my love of grabby hooks and atmospheric storytelling. I’m an avid reader of commercial fiction, so I am delighted to make this the focus at Bookouture. I look for voice-driven and twisty crime thrillers and heartwarming and page-turning rom-coms.

Maisie Lawrence

Commissioning Editor

After working with a variety of bestselling authors at Simon & Schuster, Little, Brown and Canelo, I was thrilled to join the Bookouture team. I am a Bookseller Rising Star and a co-founder of Pride in Publishing.

Ella Carey, Georgina Cross and Alison Ragsdale are just a few of the bestselling authors I love publishing here. I very much enjoy helping authors absolutely nail a killer hook and am always looking for sweeping historical novels, unputdownable crime and thrillers and emotional women’s fiction.

Natalie Edwards

Commissioning Editor

After working in trade and academic publishing and marketing, I was thrilled to join Bookouture in 2021. I am drawn to strong characters, compelling ideas and immersive storytelling across a variety of genres and, as a fine art graduate, I love an attention-grabbing cover. I am excited to continue my career within such a creative and dynamic team.

Nina Winters

Commissioning Editor

Before joining Bookouture in 2020, I spent three years working for Penguin Random House and as a freelance editor. I acquire for both Bookouture’s fiction and Thread’s non-fiction lists. I’m always looking for crime and psychological thrillers with mind-blowing twists that keep me turning the pages late into the night, gripping cozy crime, relatable and laugh-out-loud romantic comedies and evocative historical fiction with standout characters and compelling storytelling. I’m also looking for gripping and unputdownable true crime and memoirs.

Billi Jones

Commissioning Editor

After completing a degree in Painting where I focussed on insectionality in educational institutions, I became interested in publishing and became a volunteer editor. From volunteering, I transitioned into my publishing career where I am part of Bookouture’s editorial team. I have a love for a wide range of commercial fiction but in my free time I always have my eye out for hilarious, escapist rom-coms.

Bonnie Macleod

Commissioning Editor

My editorial career began in non-fiction at DK, Penguin Random House in 2021 and before joining Bookouture I was an editor of digital-first commercial fiction at One More Chapter, HarperCollins.

I love reading and acquiring commercial fiction across all genres, from pacy psychological thrillers to trope-filled romantic comedies and sweeping historical fiction. I’m on the lookout for stories with strong hooks that will keep you turning the pages and characters that stay with you long after you’ve finished reading about them.

Levke Kluge

Translations Editor

I’ve worked several years as a freelance musician, but literature and language have always had a place in my heart. In 2021, I put my passion to work by diving into writing and proofreading, and in April 2022, I joined Bookouture as an Editorial Assistant for the Deutschland team.

Being able to work with books is an absolute privilege. I’m particularly excited to bring our rich catalogue of commercial fiction to German readers.

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.

Jen Shannon

Managing Editorial Executive

I’m a linguist whose career is built on stories. I’ve worked in television, film, the charity sector and higher education, and am now very happily wordsmithing for Bookouture. I’m passionate about our publishing — we regularly delight our readers with the twistiest thrillers, funniest romcoms, cosiest crime and most epic historical sagas!

Lizzie Brien

Publishing Executive

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!

Melissa Tran

Publishing Executive

After completing my MA in Publishing in 2022, I joined the Hachette Editorial Traineeship, including a month long internship at Curtis Brown, gaining valuable industry knowledge. Now, I am so excited to be working at Bookouture where I get to be a part of such an innovative, digital business model.

I’m an avid reader of commercial fiction and particularly love a twisty psychological thriller.

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.

Nadia Michael

Publishing Executive

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.

Sinead O’Connor

Publishing Executive

Before joining Bookouture in 2023, I worked in academic publishing at Bloomsbury for two and a half years. I started my publishing career in fiction, however, with internships at Penguin and RCW Literary Agency, so I am delighted to be returning to where my passion lies!

I love psychological thrillers as much as heart-warming rom-coms, so I am excited to work on the breadth of excellent titles at Bookouture.

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.

Charlotte Hegley

Publishing Executive

I began my career in legal marketing and then moved into academic publishing, as a Marketing Executive for Cambridge University Press. My passion for content and working with authors meant I decided to pursue an editorial career, and I joined Sage Publishing’s editorial team.

I joined Bookouture in 2024 and am delighted to work with such a creative and dynamic team. I love working on the range of titles they publish, particularly their gripping psychological thrillers and escapist romantic comedies.

Michael Hurlimann

Editorial and Social Media Assistant

I joined Bookouture as an Editorial and Social Media Assistant for the Deutschland team in January 2024. Before that I worked in both marketing and news media. I have lived and worked in Zurich, Berlin, Manchester and London, and I recently finished my MA in English Literature.

Books and reading have always been my biggest passions. I am excited to be able to work with such an impressive catalogue of authors and books, and hope to bring our fiction to a growing number of German readers.

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

After an invaluable year in marketing at Bookouture I became a commissioning editor, and published bestsellers such as The Little French Guesthouse, Bad Little Girl, and The Summer House. I loved the role, but became the commercial manager as I wanted to use my experience to do what I feel makes Bookouture the best publisher around – optimising live books to give each one the best chance of success.

Previously, I have worked as an assistant agent at Christine Green, and a creative writing tutor and editorial assistant at The Complete Creative Writing Course.

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.

Melanie Price

Digital Marketing Director

Commercial publishing, building communities and connecting with readers is my passion, and after honing my skill set in a breadth of positions across the publishing industry at Head of Zeus, Hodder & Stoughton and HarperCollins, I was thrilled to join the Bookouture team in 2021 as Head of Digital Marketing. I am excited to further develop new strategies and innovations, build international author brands and reach readers all over the world as part of this dynamic team.

Occy Carr

Digital Marketing Manager

The first four and a half years of my career were spent working as an Account Manager at an advertising agency. I joined Bookouture in 2021 as part of the digital marketing team and am really enjoying  combining my advertising and marketing knowledge with a life-long love of reading and all things book related.

Cíara Rosney

Digital Marketing Executive

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 Assistant

Before joining Bookouture, I worked in social media marketing in the Museums sector, where I highlighted marginalised voices in the LGBTQ+ community. I am inspired by Bookouture’s innovative publishing model and making publishing accessible. I am always looking to improve and apply creativity to how things are done and I am passionate about making all voices heard.

Kim Nash

Digital Publicity Director

I joined Bookouture full-time in 2015 blending my love of books and my years of PR, sales and marketing experiencing together. As a blogger at Kim the Bookworm and also an author, I feel like it gives me a great insight into the business from many angles.

It’s an absolute joy to be part of Bookouture and watching it continue to thrive, flourish and grow, still generating innovative and exciting plans for the future really does make me super proud. I get to work in the best job I’ve ever had, with the most amazing colleagues and brilliant authors, while connecting with the most supportive readers and influencers around the world. Being a part of making authors’ ambitions come to life is a dream come true for me.

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!

Jess Readett

Publicity and Social Media Manager

After two years working in PR and communications for the non-profit sector and blogging for The Huffington Post, I am thrilled to be able to use my skills and experience to promote my favourite thing in life – good books!

A proud Lancashire lass, I love to share work by writers from underrepresented backgrounds on my bookstagram, and it is Bookouture’s shake up of the traditional publishing industry and open submissions process that excites me the most!

Ain Chiara

Head of Bookouture Publishing Academy

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.

Lauren Morrissette

Digital Sales Manager

The majority of my career has been spent creating bespoke systems, maximising efficiency and using data to drive decision-making. I’m thrilled to join Bookouture where I can combine my love of books and my passion for data to optimise digital sales.

Hannah Richmond

Digital Sales Assistant

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.

Mandy Kullar

Desk 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!

Mark Alder

Data and Insights 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!

Marina Valles

Digital Operations Manager

I began my career in publishing in Barcelona after graduating with a BA in Philosophy and an MA in Comparative Studies in Arts, Literature and Philosophy. I then went on to complete an Executive Masters in Digital Publishing, before moving to London.

I am absolutely delighted to join Bookouture and much looking forward to contributing to its success. I am so passionate about books and data that in my spare time I enjoy volunteering in a community library, where I am also the Chair of the IT Committee.

Stephanie Straub

Digital Operations Executive

I began my career in publishing in early 2023, after completing my doctorate in English literature and spending three years working in the Operations sector of a machine learning project.

I’m excited by Bookouture’s innovative, data-driven approach to publishing. I look forward to using my unique blend of technical and analytical skills to serve our authors and readers.

Mohamed Bussuri

Data and Operations Assistant

I’m a recent computer science graduate. I love books, computers and data. I get to work with all three and with an amazing team here at Bookouture. The future is bright, data is the tinted lens that stops us being blinded by it.