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HarperNonFiction completes senior editorial restructure with two new hires in commissioning
HarperNonFiction has hired Tom Asker and James Hodgkinson to work in the commissioning team. These appointments are the last of the HarperNonFiction senior editorial restructure, with three new commissioning centres – Mudlark & Smart Thinking, Sport & Entertainment and Thorsons & Lifestyle, Gift & IP – now also in place.
Asker will be joining on 24th February 2025 in the role of publishing director, lifestyle and will be leading the Gift & IP list. He will report to Jane Sturrock, Thorsons & Lifestyle publisher, commissioning on to the Gift & IP list with a focus on accessible, trend-led gift books and brand partnerships. He moves over to HarperCollins after seven years at Little, Brown. While there, he led the Robinson "how-to" list, including titles ranging from the debut cookbook by vegan influencer Sam Jones; the dog training series by Adam Spivey, founder of Southend Dog Training; the definitive guide to programming professionally, The Self-Taught Programmer by Cory Althoff; a number of bestselling air fryer books plus Bon Appétit star Molly Baz’s Cook This Book.
Asker said: "My time at Little, Brown has been huge fun. I’ve been fortunate to work with some terrific people, and I’m deeply grateful to all the authors, agents and colleagues who have taught me so much. But the opportunity to join HarperCollins at such an exciting moment is simply too good to pass up. Jane and her team are building something brilliant, and I couldn’t be more excited get started."
Sturrock said: "I am delighted to welcome Tom to HarperNonFiction, where he’ll be leading our Gift & IP list within the lifestyle team. His entrepreneurial spirit, creative vision and strong commercial sense make him the perfect person to lead the gift list into its next chapter and I can’t wait to see what he and senior commissioning editor Harriet Prideaux can achieve together."
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Hodgkinson joined the team at the start of January 2025 as senior commissioning editor, entertainment, reporting to entertainment publisher Katya Shipster. During eight years at Bonnier Books, Hodgkinson published across memoir, music, sport, true crime and narrative non-fiction, from a range of authors including Danny Trejo, Rachel Clarke, Timothy West, Steve Thompson, Luis Elizondo and Colin Sutton. At HarperCollins, he will continue to look for commercial non-fiction with a particular focus on pop culture and entertainment.
Hodgkinson said: "I’m proud to be part of the team here. HarperNonFiction is a destination publisher – and an exciting place to be, at an exciting time. I can’t wait to join in the push, continuing to seek out the most distinctive voices, beloved faces and brilliant stories to add to the list."
Shipster said: "James brings an incredible depth of experience, an entrepreneurial mindset and a sharp instinct for the stories that truly resonate. His track record of publishing bestselling books speaks for itself, and I know he’ll be a dynamic force within our team."
Sarah Emsley, MD and publisher for HarperNonFiction and HarperNorth said: "Tom and James are both talented, innovative and ambitious acquirers and we are thrilled to be welcoming them aboard at this key moment for HarperNonFiction."
