Hutchinson joins S&S Children’s as senior commissioning editor

Carla Hutchinson, currently commissioning editor at Bloomsbury, has been hired by Simon & Schuster Children’s Books as senior commissioning editor for fiction.

Simon & Schuster Children’s Books has also made two internal promotions in the fiction editorial team, with Arub Ahmed promoted to senior editor and Olive Childs to assistant editor.

The children’s fiction team has grown by 50% in the last 12 months, including the arrival of editorial directors Yasmin Morrissey and Michelle Misra earlier this year.

Hutchinson joins S&S after two years at Bloomsbury Children’s Books, working with authors including Sarah J Maas, Clare Weze and Kalynn Bayron. Previous roles at Hot Key and Piccadilly Press saw her work with YA authors Elizabeth Acevedo, Joya Goffney and Ciannon Smart.

Reporting to fiction publisher Lucy Pearse, Hutchinson will join S&S in October and manage a list of award-winning and bestselling authors, as well as acquiring commercial new talent for the fiction list.

Pearse said: “I am privileged to be a part of this stellar editorial team – they are talented and passionate, working tirelessly to publish the very best in stand-out children’s fiction. Carla’s vision, energy and commitment to getting books into the hands of every reader aligns perfectly with our mission at S&S and we are delighted to have her join us. It is wonderful to be able to recognize Arub and Olive’s growing talents and huge contribution to our success this year. We have exciting plans for the future and I can’t wait to see what comes next for our beloved authors and illustrators.”

Hutchinson commented: “I’m so excited to join the wonderfully creative, dynamic and ambitious fiction team at Simon & Schuster Children’s Books. The prospect of driving an impressive roster of notable authors and building a fresh and innovative list of commercial, inclusive, diverse children’s books is something I strive for and completely believe in – and I can’t wait to get started. I’m really looking forward to discovering new talent, commissioning with passion and helping to shape such a trailblazing list that puts children at the heart of its publishing.”