Smith departs HoZ for Bonnier Books UK's Embla

Bonnier Books UK has appointed Hannah Smith as editorial director of its new digital-first imprint Embla Books.

Smith joins on 22nd March from Head of Zeus, where she managed its digital imprints, Aria and Aries. She started at Head of Zeus in 2018 as commissioning editor and was promoted to editorial director in 2019. Before that, Smith worked at HarperCollins imprint HQ. At Head of Zeus, she acquired and published bestselling authors such as Mandy Baggot, Andie Newton, Julie Houston and Faith Hogan.

Due to launch this year, Embla Books' focus is on publishing "high quality" commercial genre fiction, "discovering compelling and creative storytelling that will captivate readers". It was announced earlier in the month that former Thomas & Mercer publisher Jane Snelgrove had been chosen to lead the new imprint.

Emilie Marneur, digital and business development director at Bonnier Books UK, said: "I’m thrilled to welcome Hannah to the team. She brings years of digital publishing experience and has a great eye for talent. She has such wonderful energy and a true passion for commercial fiction — I can’t wait for her to build a new list. Together with Jane, Hannah brings editorial and publishing excellence as well as commercial savviness, and will make Embla Books a wonderful new home for authors."

Smith said: "While I am incredibly sad to be leaving behind my wonderful authors at Head of Zeus, I am absolutely thrilled to be joining Bonnier Books UK and the formidable Embla team. The opportunity to be a part of Embla, and join such publishing powerhouses as Emilie and Jane, from the very beginning was one I simply couldn’t say no to. We’re going to be a home for exciting new voices as well as established talent and I can’t wait to get started and help to create a truly remarkable list."