Liz Cross joins David Fickling Books as publishing director

Indie David Fickling Books has appointed Liz Cross as publishing director following her departure from Oxford University Press.

She will take up the role in January 2020, working alongside m.d. Tom Fickling and publisher David Fickling. The publisher said Cross will work closely with its list of authors including Jenny Downham, Lissa Evans, Candy Gourlay, Simon Mason, Philip Pullman, Lisa Williamson and Chris Wormell.

Cross started her publishing career as assistant to David Fickling at Scholastic, before joining Walker Books as copy editor. She later returned to Scholastic as head of fiction.

She was appointed head of children’s publishing at OUP in 2000, a role she held until September this year when her role went as part of a restructure at its children’s trade publishing team.

Cross said: “I am thrilled to be joining the talented team at DFB. I have long been impressed by their dedication and passion for publishing the very best books for all kinds of readers, and I am looking forward to exciting times ahead.”

David Fickling added: “I couldn’t be happier to be working with Liz Cross again – a brilliant editor. This is a dream appointment for us.”