Dickinson leaves S&S for Hodder crime and thriller role

Simon & Schuster fiction publishing director Jo Dickinson is leaving the firm to become Hodder’s crime and thriller publisher, it has been announced.

Dickinson will start her new role on 4th September, reporting to m.d. Carolyn Mays. The news follows the departure of Ruth Tross, who left Hodder to join Bookouture as its publishing director in May. 

During her six years in the S&S role, Dickinson has had a string of successes including Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan, Caroline Kepnes’ You, which has become a Netflix hit, number one bestseller Chris Carter and the award-winning Louise Candlish. She also managed the publisher’s audio list.

Dickinson, who has previously worked at Quercus and Little, Brown, will now be responsible for developing Hodder’s crime and thriller strategy and for growing the list.

She admitted changing jobs was “bittersweet”, saying: “I am incredibly sad to leave wonderful colleagues at Simon & Schuster and also authors in whom I believe deeply. However, the opportunity to join Hodder was one I couldn’t turn down.

“I have long admired the list, the approach to publishing and the talented team that I can’t wait to join, both at Hodder and the wider Hachette organisation.”

Mays said: “Hodder’s crime and thriller publishing is the powerhouse of our business, with established names like John Grisham, Peter Robinson, John Connolly and Sophie Hannah. I am thrilled that Jo will be bringing her ambition, determination and appetite for success to our brand publishing, and her focus and fresh vision to newer bestsellers such as Sabine Durrant and Erin Kelly.

“We have an energetic and hungry crime fiction team, and to have a publisher with Jo’s experience and track record coming on board will take us to even greater success. I can’t wait to start working with her.”