Ain Chiara joins Bookouture to run new Publishing Academy platform for authors

Bookouture has appointed Ain Chiara to run the soon-to-launch Publishing Academy and has promoted Kelsie Marsden, Lucy Frederick and Levke Kluge.

Chiara has joined in the newly created role of head of Bookouture Publishing Academy, a forthcoming paid online training platform for authors. She will lead the launch and development of the academy and report to digital communications director Alex Crow. 

The Bookouture Publishing Academy is one of the key strategic priorities for Bookouture in 2024, the publisher said. It will be a training facility for writers wanting to improve their manuscripts aimed at both debut and published authors. With a a core focus on digital commercial fiction, it will use the combined expertise of the Bookouture team, authors, and industry-leading voices. 

Previously Chiara worked at Oxford University Press and Penguin Connect, where she managed B2B events and client partnerships and, in the last two years, has built a successful business as an independent content creator and publishing consultant.  

Crow said: “Ain has the perfect ability and experience to head up the academy and make it the industry-leading training platform for commercial fiction writers. She brings drive, innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit, combined with technical expertise, a keen commercial insight and a proven passion for building author brands. I am looking forward to seeing her vision for the academy take shape, and creating a high-quality platform to meet the needs of commercial and digital writers who are currently under-served by the existing offerings in the market.” 

 Chiara said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be stepping into this role and joining the team at Bookouture. When I first heard of the Bookouture Publishing Academy, I knew this was something I wanted to be a part of, so to be given the opportunity to take the lead on the creation and launch of this amazing initiative is beyond exciting. I can’t think of a better team than the one at Bookouture to bring to life an online academy that will demystify the publishing process for authors as well as champion the digital commercial fiction genre as a whole.” 

Bookouture has also promoted Kelsie Marsden and Lucy Frederick, currently both commissioning editors, to associate publisher roles and Levke Kluge, formerly translations publishing executive, to editor. Both will also take on staff management roles in addition to their editorial responsibilities.