Harding promoted to Bookouture publishing director

Natasha Harding has been promoted to publishing director at Bookouture, effective from 1st April 2023.

Harding joined Bookouture as an associate publisher following time at Avon and Pan Macmillan. In her six years at Bookouture, she has published authors Alison James, Dee MacDonald, Merryn Allingham and Shalini Boland, as well as Donna Ashcroft and Michelle Vernal.

She has published The Family Holiday by Shalini Boland, The Midwife of Auschwitz by Anna Stuart and The Doctor’s Wife by Daniel Hurst.

In her new role, Harding will continue to report to Ruth Tross, publisher, and work with her list, as well as taking on a remit to support the wider editorial team with training and acquisitions.

Harding said: “Working with such a talented list of authors and a team of hugely inspiring, forward-thinking colleagues in the last six years has been an absolute dream. Bookouture’s incredible growth as a publisher of bestselling commercial fiction and a company that breaks boundaries and does things differently has been an amazing journey to be part of, filled with valuable learnings and plenty of chart-topping celebrations. I’m excited for the next chapter in my new role."

Tross commented: “Natasha is one of the most impressive publishers I’ve worked with. She has a superbly commercial eye, across a huge range of genres, which her lengthy list of bestsellers testifies to. 

“And she’s contributed so much to our company culture over the years, both as an excellent people manager, and as the creator and driving influence behind various initiatives to keep us working smarter and inspiring each other as a team. I’m so excited about working with her in her new role, which will see all of our editors benefiting from her experience and expertise.”