Bookouture promotes Botterill to publishing director and plans SFF list

Bookouture has promoted Jessie Botterill to the role of publishing director and is looking to establish a science fiction and fantasy list.

Botterill joined Bookouture from agency Janklow & Nesbit in November 2016, as commissioning editor. From there, she was promoted to associate publisher in 2018. She was shortlisted for Editor of the Year at the Nibbies in 2019.

During her time at Bookouture, she has acquired a significant number of bestsellers, including Lisa Regan, Samantha Hayes, Jennifer Chase, Natalie Barelli, Clare Boyd and Daniela Sacerdoti.

Currently associate publisher, her new role will see Botterill report to Bookouture managing director Jenny Geras. Geras said Botterill's promotion "couldn’t be more deserved" adding: "Jessie is a brilliant commercial acquirer, a forensic editor, a creative publisher and I know she’ll do a fantastic job leading her own team".

Botterill said: "I am so proud to be part of Bookouture. I have learnt so much in my time here and am grateful for the opportunity to keep challenging myself and my colleagues to reach new heights."

Rhianna Louise has also been promoted to the role of commissioning editor, reporting to publishing director Laura Deacon. She joined Bookouture as publishing executive in January 2020.

The Bookouture team is now made up of 44 people. And recruitment for an editorial lead for a new SFF list is now under way. The publisher is also looking to expand its German-language publishing arm Bookouture Deutschland, with the hire of a publishing manager.