FMcM's Greer joins Prototype in new role

Robert Greer is joining independent press Prototype in the newly created role of marketing and publicity co-ordinator.

Greer had worked for more than two years at literary communications agency FMcM Associates, including projects such as the British Book Awards, Rathbones Folio Prize, Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award, Cundill History Prize and the Polari Prize.

Before working for FMcM Associates, he worked for literary journal the London Magazine, where he served as marketing executive and online editor. He is also the co-founder and co-ordinator of the Madrid-based Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize.

Jess Chandler, Prototype founder and publisher, said: “Welcoming Robert Greer to the Prototype team, as the company’s first ever employee, is a hugely exciting moment, and we could not have wished for anyone more dedicated, committed or talented. Robert’s experience, combined with his support and understanding of our work, ethos and ambitions, make him a huge asset at this very exciting time. His appointment marks a significant turning point in our development as a publishing house, and I can’t wait to see how his involvement changes things.”

Greer, whose appointment is effective immediately, added: “Having been a huge fan of Prototype since they launched in 2019, I couldn’t be more delighted to start working on what has become one of the most exciting lists in UK independent publishing. Upon learning about Prototype’s upcoming plans, I was so impressed by the scale of Jess’ vision, and ambition, and I can’t wait to begin our work together.”

Launched in the autumn of 2019 with the publication of Caleb Klaces’ debut novel Fatherhood, later longlisted for the Republic of Consciousness Prize, Prototype focuses on fiction and poetry, also encompassing anthologies and interdisciplinary projects. Prototype has published more than 20 books since launching, including solo works by Turner Prize-winning artist Helen Marten, short story writer Jen Calleja, and Sheffield’s first poet laureate, Otis Mensah.

Over the next few months Prototype will be publishing Path Through Wood, the debut collection from poet Sam Buchan-Watts, Two Twin Pipes Sprout Water, a collection of poems and poem-stories from Lila Matsumoto, and The Weak Spot, the debut novel by Lucie Elven, which was recently published in the US by Soft Skull Press.

2022 will see a publishing programme of 10 books per year for the first time, including Emblem, the debut poetry collection by Lucy Mercer, and Deceit, the lost English language debut novel by Russian émigré author Yuri Felsen translated by Bryan Karetnyk.