Ella Harold promoted to editor at Fig Tree

Ella Harold has been promoted to editor at Fig Tree and will continue working alongside Helen Garnons-Williams on many authors, while also building her own list, acquiring "thought-provoking" literary fiction and narrative non-fiction.

In her current role as assistant editor, Harold acquired and published Amanda Peters’ Barnes & Noble Debut Novel of the Year The Berry Pickers, and recently led the reissues of two of Penelope Lively’s backlist titles, including commissioning a new introduction for Moon Tiger from Elif Shafak (Penguin).

In summer 2025, Harold will publish Andrev Walden’s Bloody Awful in Different Ways in translation from Swedish, and has recently acquired debut novel Blank Canvas by Grace Murray, after working with the author over the course of Penguin Random House’s year-long WriteNow scheme. Two further, as yet unannounced, acquisitions, are scheduled for Spring 2026.

Harold started her career as a Waterstones bookseller before joining Bloomsbury’s Adult Trade marketing and publicity team in 2019. She moved to Penguin General’s campaigns team in 2021, eventually joining Fig Tree as editorial assistant in July 2022.

"In the two and a half years since she joined Fig Tree, Ella has become integral to the imprint, bringing her energy, creativity, empathy and entrepreneurial spirit to our publishing," Garnons-Williams said. "She is a much-valued, much-admired colleague and I am so pleased that she is taking this next step in her publishing career."

Harold added: "I am thrilled to take this next step in my career at one of the most vibrant and exciting imprints in the industry. It’s been such a pleasure to work with Helen, with Fig Tree’s talented authors, and with the unrivalled Penguin General team over the last few years, and I’m delighted at this opportunity to continue discovering and publishing the very best writers."