Cotton and Hodder's Aspinall join HQ fiction team

Cicely Aspinall is leaving Hodder to join HQ as senior commissioning editor for fiction, while HarperFiction’s Finn Cotton has also been appointed to the team.

Aspinall, currently a commissioning editor, will work across commercial fiction, including crime, thriller and book club.

She started at HarperCollins as an editorial assistant before joining Hodder in 2015. During her time there, she published crime and thriller fiction including The Banker’s Wife by Cristina Alger (Mulholland), soon to be adapted for TV by Amazon. She was also involved in publishing big brand authors including Stephen King, David Nicholls, Mike Gayle and Erin Kelly.   

Aspinall said: “I have loved my time at Hodder, and feel incredibly lucky to have worked with so many brilliantly talented and inspiring colleagues and authors whom I am going to miss so much. But I have long been in awe of the HQ team's passion and creative and commercial flair, so I couldn't let this opportunity pass me by. I'm really excited to join such a dynamic team.”

Cotton has been appointed commissioning editor, joining from HarperFiction where he is currently assistant editor. He will commission historical, contemporary fiction, crime and adventure thriller.

Starting at HarperCollins in 2017, he has worked on bestselling authors including Stuart MacBride, Jeffery Deaver, Charles Cumming, S K Tremayne and Simon Toyne, recently commissioning Kindle hit The Perfect Neighbours by Rachel Sargeant. 

Cotton said: “It’s been an incredible few years working at HarperFiction, and I’m immensely grateful for all the opportunities I’ve been given. But I’m hugely excited to be joining the team at HQ, whose bold and creative publishing I have long admired. I cannot wait to work with their cohesive and impressive team and I look forward to bringing fresh talent to the list.”

Both editors will start at HQ on 6th January 2020. 

Publisher Kate Mills said: “I’m delighted that we finish a stellar year for HQ Fiction by strengthening our fiction team further. I look forward to seeing Cicely and Finn grow their lists and help HQ Fiction and HQ Digital reach even great success.”