Head of Zeus appoints new Aria team

Head of Zeus has set up a new team for its digital imprint Aria, with Rhea Kurien joining from Headline and Hannah Smith promoted to editorial director.

Smith first joined HoZ as a commissioning editor last year from HarperCollins imprint HQ, where she launched the careers of Darren O’Sullivan, Amanda Brittany and Terry Lynn Thomas. At Aria, she has acquired e-book authors like Mandy Baggot, Louise Emma Clarke and Sam Michaels.

Kurien joins as commissioning editor from Headline and previously worked at HarperCollins with authors like Brenda Novak, Jack Slater and Carla Burgess. She said: “I have long admired Aria and I am incredibly excited to be joining such a dynamic and innovative team, and to work with such a phenomenal roster of authors. While I am sad to be leaving my colleagues at Headline, I could not pass up the opportunity to collaborate with such a creative team to grow and build their fantastic list.”

Both will report to fiction publishing director Laura Palmer. Vicky Joss, digital marketing executive, and Nikky Ward, digital sales manager, complete the team, which will be in place from 7th May.

The news comes after a series of departures from Aria, including publisher Caroline Ridding and editorial directors Lucy Gilmour and Sarah Ritherdon. Ridding and Ritherdon have since joined Amanda Ridout's new venture Boldwood Books.

C.e.o. Nicolas Cheetham said: “2019 will be a year of new initiatives at Aria, from launching our audio list, to developing our global presence, to building our authors in all formats. I cannot think of a more energetic, passionate and creative team than Hannah, Rhea, Nikky and Vicky to take Aria’s publishing to the next level.”

Head of Zeus also recently made new appointments in its publicity team, with Chrissy Ryan promoted to communications director and Helen Richardson joining as publicity consultant.