David Fickling Books hires Hutchinson in new publicity and marketing director role

Fraser Hutchinson is leaving his role at Creative Access to join independent publisher David Fickling Books in the newly created role of publicity and marketing director.

He will take up the role in mid-January, working alongside managing director Liz Cross and publisher David Fickling. Hutchinson will work closely with DFB’s list of authors including Philip Pullman, Lissa Evans, Jamie Smart, Chris Wormell, Candy Gourlay, Gill Lewis, and Philip Reeve, as well as its key partner the Phoenix comic.

Hutchinson has been working in publishing for more than 15 years, with marketing roles at publishers including Oxford Children’s Books. He has recently headed departments at both the Reading Agency and Creative Access as head of partnerships. In 2021 he was listed as one of The Bookseller’s Rising Stars.

He said: "I am hugely excited about joining David Fickling Books. I've long admired their list and profile within the children's book world – an incredible raft of authors and illustrators, and an uncanny ability to publish brilliant stand-out gems that might not otherwise have been given the chance. I've never known an indie publisher to have such a well-respected profile across the board, and I really look forward to building on that in my new role."

Cross added: "I am thrilled to be welcoming Fraser to DFB. He combines marketing flair and in-depth industry knowledge with a wonderful talent for communication, partnership building and strategic thinking. These are exciting times for DFB and we are looking forward to continuing to forge ahead with the help of all the insight and expertise that Fraser will bring us."

Fickling said: "Come on in, Fraser, and a mighty welcome to DFB! We have so many brilliant stories to make together!"