Hollis steps back as poetry editor at Faber

Matthew Hollis has decided to step back from the position of poetry editor at Faber, after more than 10 years in the role and over two decades with the list.

Hollis will continue working for Faber, the publisher’s poets and estates. He will be directing the publishing of Faber’s annotated backlist editions, working with his successor on strategy for the list, and devoting time to his family and writing. Faber will begin the recruitment process to fill the position of poetry editor this month.

In a statement published by Faber, Hollis quoted T S Eliot, who talked about a poetry editor having a "time span", after which he may become less confident in his suitability to judge the next generation’s work.

"I’m 51, commissioning poets in their 20s (as well as in their 80s), and although I haven’t yet experienced what Eliot described, I can imagine a time coming when I might; for love of the list and the poets that I admire so deeply, I should like to make provision for that event before it comes," Hollis said. "An editor may build the generation beneath them, but the generation below builds the one beneath that; in such a moment a new editor is required."

Hollis joined the company in 2002, and has played a key role in publishing a generation of poets. He has also been instrumental in the creation of the Faber New Poets scheme, launched in 2007 with Arts Council England. Since taking up the post of poetry editor in 2012, he has introduced two dozen new poets to the list, including 20 debut writers and established poets.

Having also worked with the estates, Hollis has directed the publication of annotated poetry editions, prose and correspondence by T S Eliot, Thom Gunn, Seamus Heaney, Marianne Moore, Sylvia Plath and others.

Hollis said: "I am surely biased, but I know of no independent publishing activity for poetry anywhere in the world that feels quite so significant or so special. The remarkable poets of yesterday and today – and the glittering stars of tomorrow – deserve nothing less from us than our exhaustive effort and our ‘just’ soul. And so do readers. To them all, and to my dear colleagues, I owe gratitude, learning and happiness."

Publisher Alex Bowler added: "For over a decade, Matthew has steered one of the great lists in world literature, a list which he has reinvigorated through a combination of open-minded, open-hearted vision and an extraordinary level of editorial care. The result, today, is a list of surpassing quality and range, a furnace of literary brilliance that continues to evolve and inspire; a precious, thrilling legacy for the next poetry editor to take forward.

"His work has been an example to me and his fellow editors, his friendship and support of immeasurable value to his colleagues, and I am extremely grateful that he will continue to be a presence for us all at Faber."