Frances Lincoln Children’s Books appoints Watson, as Brownridge steps up at Wide Eyed Editions 

Frances Lincoln Children’s Books (FLCB), an imprint of Quarto, has appointed Becky Watson as editorial director, starting on 2nd April. Watson is currently senior commissioning editor at Walker Books, where she has worked with award-winning titles from authors and illustrators including Dr Jess Wade, Catherine Rayner, Michael Rosen, Quentin Blake and Polly Dunbar. 

Peter Marley, publisher for Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, said: “We are very happy to welcome Becky to FLCB. Becky has commissioned and edited many stand-out children’s books during her career, and we look forward to her playing a key role in managing key authors and illustrators across the list and delivering our ambitious plans for growth across picture books, gift books and non-fiction categories.” 

Watson added: “I’m delighted to be joining the team at Frances Lincoln Children’s Books. I’ve had a wonderful nine years at Walker and am grateful to have worked with so many brilliant authors, illustrators and colleagues in my time there. But as an admirer of FLCB’s beautiful, original books, I am so excited by this opportunity and can’t wait to get started.” 

Also in FLCB, assistant editor Rachel Robinson is promoted to editor, with Molly Mead promoted to editor for the Little People, BIG DREAMS series. 

In Wide Eyed Editions, senior commissioning editor Lucy Brownridge is promoted to editorial director. Brownridge manages key authors and illustrators across the list, from Waterstones Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho to Flora Delargy, who was shortlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration for her debut title, Rescuing Titanic. 

Watson and Brownridge will be attending Bologna Children’s Book Fair with Peter Marley and art director Karissa Santos, and co-publisher of Wide Eyed Editions, Debbie Foy.