Alice Oseman leads 2022’s The Bookseller 150 most influential list

Graphic novelist and YA author Alice Oseman has topped the 2022 edition of The Bookseller 150, the 14th annual list of the most influential people in the British and Irish book trade. 

The Heartstopper creator was named The Bookseller 151st, the de facto person of the year, for being Britain’s first truly global breakout children’s superstar in two decades. Heartstopper Vol. 1 is the bestselling children’s book across Nielsen BookScan’s 11 international territories this year, while in her home market she has shifted 1.1 million units for £9.4m. But beyond that, Oseman is a generational talisman, as the digital native is beloved by TikTok and she has kickstarted the YA graphic novel revolution, while doing much for LGBTQ+ representation. 

Caroline Carpenter, The Bookseller children’s editor and part of the 150 selection panel, said that since Oseman’s writing career launched when she was 19, she has “displayed a rare ability to tackle the cares and concerns of teenagers that resonates with them”.

Carpenter added: “After such a tough couple of years for young people, it has been wonderful to see her hopeful story of love and friendship capture the hearts of people across the world. One of the most exciting young creatives in the UK today, Oseman is a great ambassador for homegrown writing and illustration talent, an inspiring beacon for the future of the industry, and a very deserving Bookseller 151st.”

Oseman is one of 36 new entries on the 2022 list, joining the likes of Aitken Alexander agent Emma Paterson; Jacques Testard, publisher at fiction-in-translation and literary independent Fitzcarraldo Editions; the new Waterstones Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho; Helen Stanton, founder of the now three-strong Northumberland-based Forum Books mini-chain; and authors Ever Dundas and Julie Farrell, who co-created Inklusion, a best-practice accessibilty guide for events and festivals.      

The nine re-entries include Profile Books boss Andrew Franklin; picture books superstar Julia Donaldson; Boldwood Books c.e.o. Amanda Ridout; and Wayne Winstone, founder of a trio of independent bookshops across South West England. 

The Bookseller 150 was first launched in 2009 with the list originally comprising 100 entries; it changed to its current format in 2019. Past 151st/101st honorees include Booker-winner Bernardine Evaristo, Waterstones c.e.o. James Daunt and HarperCollins chief executive Charlie Redmayne.  

For the second consecutive year, 58% of the list are female, which makes it four years on the trot that the 150 has been composed of a majority of women; the first list The Bookseller produced had 28% women. Seventeen per cent hail from a Black, Asian or a racialised community, a marginal dip on the past two years’ record 18%.

Excluding authors, illustrators and trade bodies, 36% of entrants work for an independent company. A third of the list are based outside London, while Scotland and Ireland-based entries are represented with six apiece, equalling the record for both nations.

Ten “Evergreens” – those who have been on every list since its inception – remain, down from a dozen in 2021. Evergreens include Transworld m.d. Larry Finlay, Curis Brown Group c.e.o. Jonny Geller and Ian Chapman, chief executive of the reigning British Book Awards Publisher of the Year, Simon & Schuster.