Overview

I am a publisher and editor. I have worked in book retail as well as for publishers big and small, so I have seen most sides of the industry.

I have edited and published books that have been longlisted, shortlisted and won prizes including the Folio Prize, Wellcome Trust Book Prize, DSA South East Asian Literary Prize, Gordon Burn Prize, Green Carnation Prize, Bisto Children's Book of the Year, Thurber Prize and the Jerwood Fiction Uncovered Prize. Listed further down the page are just a small number of the books I have published over the years.

I have also written books myself as well as a range of journalism in newspapers and magazines. I am happy to work with you to help you get your manuscript ready for submission or publication. I can offer an editorial review, a full structural edit, a critique of your cover letter and synopsis, or simply offer advice as a publishing professional. Feel free to get in touch if you want to discuss your needs.

Services

Languages

Non-Fiction

Fiction

Unbound is the world's first crowdfunding publisher. Our authors pitch their books to readers who can then pledge to support them and help get them published. My role is to acquire new projects for the business and edit them for publication.

I was asked to help Gallic Books set up a new imprint called Aardvark Bureau. I built the initial list of titles, developed the publishing strategy and launched the list in September 2015. Authors I signed to Aardvark Bureau include Dan Rhodes, Charles Baxter, Fiona Kidman, Charles Lambert, Andrew Kaufman and Tracy Farr.

I joined The Friday Project as Commercial Director but was promoted to Publisher when the business was bought by HarperCollins in 2008. During my time there, books that I published were longlisted or shortlisted for the Wellcome Trust Book Prize, The Folio Prize, the DSA South East Asian Literary Prize, the Gordon Burn Prize and the Green Carnation Prize. I also published books that won the Bisto Children's Book of the Year, the Thurber Prize in the US, and twice won the Jerwood Fiction Uncovered Prize. 'Blood, Sweat and Tea' by Tom Reynolds was turned into the Channel 4 television series, 'Sirens', which was then adapted into a US series by Denis Leary.

Authors I published include Brian Aldiss, Andrew Kaufman, Kristin Hersh, Stewart Copeland, Julie Schumacher, Niven Govinden, Nikesh Shukla, Dr Benjamin Daniels, Dr Nick Edwards, Tom Reynolds and John Lenahan.

As Head of Buying for the Waterstones book chain I was in charge of the team that purchased new books for the 100+ bookshops across the UK and Europe and was responsible for delivering over £100m of sales every year.

Where the Devil Can't Go (Kiszka & Kershaw)

Anya Lipska

THE FIRST KISZKA AND KERSHAW MYSTERY A naked girl has washed up on the banks of the River Thames. The only clue to her identity is a heart-shaped tattoo encircling two foreign names. Who is she - and why did she die? Life's already complicated enough for Janusz Kiszka, unofficial 'fixer' for East London's Polish community: his priest has asked him to track down a young waitress who has gone mi... read more

THE FIRST KISZKA AND KERSHAW MYSTERY A naked girl has washed up on the banks of the River Thames. The only clue to her identity is a heart-shaped tattoo encircling two foreign names. Who is she - and why did she die? Life's already complicated enough for Janusz Kiszka, unofficial 'fixer' for East London's Polish community: his priest has asked him to track down a young waitress who has gone mi... read more

Confessions of a GP (The Confessions Series)

Benjamin Daniels

THE UK’S BESTSELLING EBOOK OF 2011.Benjamin Daniels is angry. He is frustrated, confused, baffled and, quite frequently, very funny. He is also a GP. These are his confessions.A woman troubled by pornographic dreams about Tom Jones. An 80-year-old man who can't remember why he's come to see the doctor. A woman with a common cold demanding (but not receiving) antibiotics. A man with a sore knee... read more

THE UK’S BESTSELLING EBOOK OF 2011.Benjamin Daniels is angry. He is frustrated, confused, baffled and, quite frequently, very funny. He is also a GP. These are his confessions.A woman troubled by pornographic dreams about Tom Jones. An 80-year-old man who can't remember why he's come to see the doctor. A woman with a common cold demanding (but not receiving) antibiotics. A man with a sore knee... read more

The Complete Short Stories: the 1950s

In a major publishing project, all of Brian Aldiss' 300+ short stories are being collected together for the first time. In a major publishing project, all of Brian Aldiss' 300+ short stories are being collected together for the first time. Volume one takes us from his very first story - A Book in Time, published in The Bookseller in 1954 and never seen again until now - right up to his establi... read more

In a major publishing project, all of Brian Aldiss' 300+ short stories are being collected together for the first time. In a major publishing project, all of Brian Aldiss' 300+ short stories are being collected together for the first time. Volume one takes us from his very first story - A Book in Time, published in The Bookseller in 1954 and never seen again until now - right up to his establi... read more

Shrapnel

William Wharton

A previously unpublished wartime memoir from the acclaimed author of Birdy and A Midnight Clear. One of the most acclaimed American writers of his generation, and author of classic novels such as Birdy, A Midnight Clear and Dad, William Wharton was a very private man. Writing under a pseudonym, he rarely gave interviews, so fans and critics could only guess how much of his work was autobiograp... read more

A previously unpublished wartime memoir from the acclaimed author of Birdy and A Midnight Clear. One of the most acclaimed American writers of his generation, and author of classic novels such as Birdy, A Midnight Clear and Dad, William Wharton was a very private man. Writing under a pseudonym, he rarely gave interviews, so fans and critics could only guess how much of his work was autobiograp... read more

Strange Things Happen: A Life with the "Police", Polo and Pygmies

Stewart Copeland

A remarkable memoir from the legendary drummer with The Police. Stewart Copeland is a genuine rock legend. As the drummer with The Police he was part of the biggest rock band in the world. They sold over 50 million records, won 2 Brits and 5 Grammys and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. When they reformed in 2007 they played to nearly 4 million fans on a record-breaking world to... read more

A remarkable memoir from the legendary drummer with The Police. Stewart Copeland is a genuine rock legend. As the drummer with The Police he was part of the biggest rock band in the world. They sold over 50 million records, won 2 Brits and 5 Grammys and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. When they reformed in 2007 they played to nearly 4 million fans on a record-breaking world to... read more

The Complete Blood, Sweat and Tea

Tom Reynolds

Collected in one volume, here are the true life stories of London ambulance driver, Tom Reynolds.*Previously published as Sirens, after the Channel 4 TV show inspired by the book*On any given day Tom Reynolds might be attacked by strangers, sworn at by motorists, puked on, covered in blood and other much more unpleasant substances. He could help to deliver a baby in the morning and witness the... read more

Collected in one volume, here are the true life stories of London ambulance driver, Tom Reynolds.*Previously published as Sirens, after the Channel 4 TV show inspired by the book*On any given day Tom Reynolds might be attacked by strangers, sworn at by motorists, puked on, covered in blood and other much more unpleasant substances. He could help to deliver a baby in the morning and witness the... read more

The Third Pig Detective Agency

Bob Burke

A rather silly detective story in the spirit of Jasper Fforde. Harry Pigg, the only surviving brother from the Big Bad Wolf attacks, has set up business as a private detective in Grimmtown, only things aren't going too well. Down on his luck, with bills to pay and no clients in sight the outlook is poor. But then in walks local businessman Aladdin who needs someone to help him track down an ol... read more

A rather silly detective story in the spirit of Jasper Fforde. Harry Pigg, the only surviving brother from the Big Bad Wolf attacks, has set up business as a private detective in Grimmtown, only things aren't going too well. Down on his luck, with bills to pay and no clients in sight the outlook is poor. But then in walks local businessman Aladdin who needs someone to help him track down an ol... read more

The Miner

Natsume Soseki

"It makes me very happy that I can read this novel written over a hundred years ago as if it were contemporary and be deeply affected by it. It cannot and should not be overlooked. It is one of my favorites."—Haruki MurakamiThe Miner is the most daringly experimental and least well-known novel of Japanese writer Natsume Soseki. An absurdist tale written in 1908, it was in many ways a precursor... read more

"It makes me very happy that I can read this novel written over a hundred years ago as if it were contemporary and be deeply affected by it. It cannot and should not be overlooked. It is one of my favorites."—Haruki MurakamiThe Miner is the most daringly experimental and least well-known novel of Japanese writer Natsume Soseki. An absurdist tale written in 1908, it was in many ways a precursor... read more

When the Professor Got Stuck in the Snow

Dan Rhodes

Everybody at the Women’s Institute in the village of Upper Bottom is eagerly awaiting the arrival of a very special guest speaker: the world famous evolutionary biologist Professor Richard Dawkins.But with a blizzard setting in, their visitor finds himself trapped in the nearby town of Market Horten, with no choice but to take lodgings with the local Anglican vicar.Will the professor be able t... read more

Everybody at the Women’s Institute in the village of Upper Bottom is eagerly awaiting the arrival of a very special guest speaker: the world famous evolutionary biologist Professor Richard Dawkins.But with a blizzard setting in, their visitor finds himself trapped in the nearby town of Market Horten, with no choice but to take lodgings with the local Anglican vicar.Will the professor be able t... read more

Crooked

Kristin Hersh

In a music and publishing industry first, acclaimed musician Kristin Hersh releases her new studio album, Crooked, as a book.Kristin Hersh, lead singer of Throwing Muses and successful solo artist, will be releasing her new studio album, Crooked, as a book. This is the first time any major recording artist has taken such a step which makes this a groundbreaking publication and one that we will... read more

In a music and publishing industry first, acclaimed musician Kristin Hersh releases her new studio album, Crooked, as a book.Kristin Hersh, lead singer of Throwing Muses and successful solo artist, will be releasing her new studio album, Crooked, as a book. This is the first time any major recording artist has taken such a step which makes this a groundbreaking publication and one that we will... read more

The Tiny Wife

Andrew Kaufman

A magical short novel from the author of All My Friends are Superheroes. A robber charges into a bank with a loaded gun, but instead of taking any money he steals an item of sentimental value from each person. Once he has made his escape, strange things start to happen to the victims. A tattoo comes to life, a husband turns into a snowman, a baby starts to shit money. And Stacey Hinterland dis... read more

A magical short novel from the author of All My Friends are Superheroes. A robber charges into a bank with a loaded gun, but instead of taking any money he steals an item of sentimental value from each person. Once he has made his escape, strange things start to happen to the victims. A tattoo comes to life, a husband turns into a snowman, a baby starts to shit money. And Stacey Hinterland dis... read more

Of Things Gone Astray

Janina Matthewson

Mrs Featherby had been having pleasant dreams until she woke to discover the front of her house had vanished overnight …On a seemingly normal morning in London, a group of people all lose something dear to them, something dear but peculiar: the front of their house, their piano keys, their sense of direction, their place of work.Meanwhile, Jake, a young boy whose father brings him to London fo... read more

Mrs Featherby had been having pleasant dreams until she woke to discover the front of her house had vanished overnight …On a seemingly normal morning in London, a group of people all lose something dear to them, something dear but peculiar: the front of their house, their piano keys, their sense of direction, their place of work.Meanwhile, Jake, a young boy whose father brings him to London fo... read more

Bad Cook

Esther Walker

The ebook inspired by the hugely popular Recipe Rifle blog.One of the funniest cookbooks you are ever likely to read. And definitely the sweariest.For over three years now, Esther Walker has been entertaining foodies with her hilarious Recipe Rifle blog. Charting her progress from bad cook to, well, not-so-bad cook, she is blisteringly honest about what works, and what doesn’t, in the kitchen.... read more

The ebook inspired by the hugely popular Recipe Rifle blog.One of the funniest cookbooks you are ever likely to read. And definitely the sweariest.For over three years now, Esther Walker has been entertaining foodies with her hilarious Recipe Rifle blog. Charting her progress from bad cook to, well, not-so-bad cook, she is blisteringly honest about what works, and what doesn’t, in the kitchen.... read more

Shoeless Joe

W.P. Kinsella

The book that inspired the movie Field of Dreams. The voice of a baseball announcer tells the Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella: "If you build it, he will come." "He" is Shoeless Joe Jackson, Ray's hero. "It" is a baseball stadium which Ray carves out of his cornfield. Like the movie FIELD OF DREAMS that was made from this novel, SHOELESS JOE is about baseball. But it's also about love and the power of... read more

The book that inspired the movie Field of Dreams. The voice of a baseball announcer tells the Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella: "If you build it, he will come." "He" is Shoeless Joe Jackson, Ray's hero. "It" is a baseball stadium which Ray carves out of his cornfield. Like the movie FIELD OF DREAMS that was made from this novel, SHOELESS JOE is about baseball. But it's also about love and the power of... read more

Krabat

Otfried Preussler

One of Neil Gaiman's favourite scary stories for children. Set within a world of sorcery and wizardry, much like an 18th Century Harry Potter, Krabat tells the story of a 14-year-old beggar boy lured to a mysterious mill by a series of frightening dreams and apparitions. He becomes an apprentice to the master of the watermill where he joins the eleven other young journeymen who work there. Muc... read more

One of Neil Gaiman's favourite scary stories for children. Set within a world of sorcery and wizardry, much like an 18th Century Harry Potter, Krabat tells the story of a 14-year-old beggar boy lured to a mysterious mill by a series of frightening dreams and apparitions. He becomes an apprentice to the master of the watermill where he joins the eleven other young journeymen who work there. Muc... read more

Facing the Other Way: The Story of 4AD

Martin Aston

The first official account of the iconic record label.An NME Book of the Year 2013 • A Rough Trade Book of the Year 2013 • A Times Literary Supplement Book of the Year 2013This Mortal Coil, Birthday Party, Bauhaus, Cocteau Twins, Pixies, Throwing Muses, Breeders, Dead Can Dance, Lisa Germano, Kristin Hersh, Belly, Red House Painters.Just a handful of the bands and artists who started out recor... read more

The first official account of the iconic record label.An NME Book of the Year 2013 • A Rough Trade Book of the Year 2013 • A Times Literary Supplement Book of the Year 2013This Mortal Coil, Birthday Party, Bauhaus, Cocteau Twins, Pixies, Throwing Muses, Breeders, Dead Can Dance, Lisa Germano, Kristin Hersh, Belly, Red House Painters.Just a handful of the bands and artists who started out recor... read more

The Exotic Meat Cookbook: From Antelope to Zebra

Jeanette Edgar, Rachel Godwin

A collection of recipes for exotic meats from around the globe. They used to be a novelty but exotic meats from around the world are becoming increasingly popular with restaurants and home cooks alike. Gordon Ramsay has cooked with goat and ostrich on The F Word, supermarkets regularly stock kangaroo, bison and other unusual meats and internet suppliers like the Alternative Meats company are b... read more

A collection of recipes for exotic meats from around the globe. They used to be a novelty but exotic meats from around the world are becoming increasingly popular with restaurants and home cooks alike. Gordon Ramsay has cooked with goat and ostrich on The F Word, supermarkets regularly stock kangaroo, bison and other unusual meats and internet suppliers like the Alternative Meats company are b... read more

The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt

Tracy Farr

Tracy Farr’s debut novel is the fictional memoir of Dame Lena Gaunt: musician, octogenarian, junkie. Documentary filmmaker Mo Patterson approaches veteran musician Lena Gaunt after watching her play at a festival in Perth: her first performance in 20 years. While initially suspicious of Mo’s intentions and reluctant to have her privacy invaded, Lena finds herself sharing stories from her past.

Tracy Farr’s debut novel is the fictional memoir of Dame Lena Gaunt: musician, octogenarian, junkie. Documentary filmmaker Mo Patterson approaches veteran musician Lena Gaunt after watching her play at a festival in Perth: her first performance in 20 years. While initially suspicious of Mo’s intentions and reluctant to have her privacy invaded, Lena finds herself sharing stories from her past.

The Infinite Air

Fiona Kidman

After breaking records and becoming an international icon in the 1930s, Batten suddenly slipped out of view, disappearing to the Caribbean with her mother and eventually dying in obscurity in Majorca, buried in a pauper's grave.The compelling behind-the-scenes story of 'the Garbo of the skies' is a fascinating insight into the early days of flying, of mothers and daughters, fame and secrecy.

After breaking records and becoming an international icon in the 1930s, Batten suddenly slipped out of view, disappearing to the Caribbean with her mother and eventually dying in obscurity in Majorca, buried in a pauper's grave.The compelling behind-the-scenes story of 'the Garbo of the skies' is a fascinating insight into the early days of flying, of mothers and daughters, fame and secrecy.

Children's Home

Charles Lambert

Morgan Fletcher, the disfigured heir to a fortune of mysterious origins, lives on a sprawling estate, cut off from a threatening world. One day, his housekeeper, Engel, discovers a baby left on the doorstep. Soon more children arrive, among them stern, watchful David. With the help of Engel and town physician Doctor Crane, Morgan takes the children in, allowing them to explore the mansion … an... read more

Morgan Fletcher, the disfigured heir to a fortune of mysterious origins, lives on a sprawling estate, cut off from a threatening world. One day, his housekeeper, Engel, discovers a baby left on the doorstep. Soon more children arrive, among them stern, watchful David. With the help of Engel and town physician Doctor Crane, Morgan takes the children in, allowing them to explore the mansion … an... read more

How to Perfect Your Submission: Tips from a Publisher

Scott Pack

Essential reading for authors submitting their work to agents or publishers. Publishing veteran Scott Pack offers sensible, practical advice on how to create the perfect submission. Based in on his sell-out Guardian Masterclasses, this short guide provides aspiring authors with the tools they need to avoid the classic mistakes made by so many, and to ensure they give their work the best chance... read more

Essential reading for authors submitting their work to agents or publishers. Publishing veteran Scott Pack offers sensible, practical advice on how to create the perfect submission. Based in on his sell-out Guardian Masterclasses, this short guide provides aspiring authors with the tools they need to avoid the classic mistakes made by so many, and to ensure they give their work the best chance... read more

You Took The Last Bus Home: The poems of Brian Bilston

Brian Bilston

You Took the Last Bus Home is the first and long-awaited collection of ingeniously hilarious and surprisingly touching poems from Brian Bilston, the mysterious ‘Poet Laureate of Twitter’.With endless wit, imaginative wordplay and underlying heartache, he offers profound insights into modern life, exploring themes as diverse as love, death, the inestimable value of a mobile phone charger, the u... read more

You Took the Last Bus Home is the first and long-awaited collection of ingeniously hilarious and surprisingly touching poems from Brian Bilston, the mysterious ‘Poet Laureate of Twitter’.With endless wit, imaginative wordplay and underlying heartache, he offers profound insights into modern life, exploring themes as diverse as love, death, the inestimable value of a mobile phone charger, the u... read more

Seas of Snow

Kerensa Jennings

In 1950s England, six-year-old Gracie Scott lives with her Mam and next door to her best friend Billy; she has never known her Da. When her Uncle Joe moves in, his physical abuse of Gracie’s mother starts almost immediately. But when his attentions wander to Gracie, an even more sinister pattern of behaviour begins. As Gracie grows older she finds solace and liberation in books, poetry and her... read more

In 1950s England, six-year-old Gracie Scott lives with her Mam and next door to her best friend Billy; she has never known her Da. When her Uncle Joe moves in, his physical abuse of Gracie’s mother starts almost immediately. But when his attentions wander to Gracie, an even more sinister pattern of behaviour begins. As Gracie grows older she finds solace and liberation in books, poetry and her... read more

A Man With One of Those Faces

Caimh McDonnell

Thrilling shouldn't be this funny, funny shouldn't be this thrilling. The first time somebody tried to kill him was an accident. The second time was deliberate. Now Paul Mulchrone finds himself on the run with nobody to turn to except a nurse who has read one-too-many crime novels and a renegade cop with a penchant for violence. Together they must solve one of the most notorious crimes in Iris... read more

Thrilling shouldn't be this funny, funny shouldn't be this thrilling. The first time somebody tried to kill him was an accident. The second time was deliberate. Now Paul Mulchrone finds himself on the run with nobody to turn to except a nurse who has read one-too-many crime novels and a renegade cop with a penchant for violence. Together they must solve one of the most notorious crimes in Iris... read more

Ruth and Martin’s Album Club

Martin Fitzgerald

The concept behind the Ruth and Martin’s Album Club blog is simple: Make people listen to a classic rock album they’ve never heard before. Make them listen to it two more times. Get them to explain why they never bothered with it before. Then ask them to review it.What began as a simple whim quickly grew in popularity, and now Ruth and Martin’s Album Club has featured some remarkable guests: I... read more

The concept behind the Ruth and Martin’s Album Club blog is simple: Make people listen to a classic rock album they’ve never heard before. Make them listen to it two more times. Get them to explain why they never bothered with it before. Then ask them to review it.What began as a simple whim quickly grew in popularity, and now Ruth and Martin’s Album Club has featured some remarkable guests: I... read more