'Legendary' publisher Freestone dies, aged 78

Sue Freestone, former publisher at Heinemann, Hutchinson and Quercus, has died aged 78. 

She died peacefully on 5th June with her beloved daughter, Sophie Meyer, at her side. 

A tribute from the family said: “Sue was a legendary publisher, guiding the stellar writing careers of many bestseller authors including Douglas Adams, Stephen Fry, Sebastian Faulks, Robert Harris, John Humphreys and Alastair Campbell during her extraordinary career, before retiring 15 years ago to live on Exmoor with her family.” 

Maria Rejt, publisher at Mantle, described Freestone as “one of the most determined, driven and devoted publishers in London, who always put the needs of her authors and colleagues first, but who also made the whole business of publishing books such fun”. 

She said: “My first meeting with Sue was on the plane headed to the Frankfurt Book Fair. Seated nervously in the back row I heard Sue’s gentle Canadian accent as she chatted amiably to Tim Hely-Hutchinson a few rows in front and I decided to introduce myself as we were about to become colleagues at Random House. That was 26 years ago, and the beginning of a friendship that I have cherished ever since. 

“Sue’s gift for friendship, her loyalty and immense courage, have inspired me from that day, and many other publishing folk besides. She was certainly a publishing legend, holding court in her book-lined office with Charlie the Bassett always at her feet snoozing the day away, typescripts teetering precariously on her desk.” 

She added: “We last spoke in April just after her husband had passed away and though in poor health herself and grieving for Vivian, her spirit and sense of humour shone through. ‘See you soon, doll,’ were the last words she said to me. The day before she died I was walking through the park where we’d often meet for a spot of gossip and I thought of Sue then and smiled. Rest in peace my dear, dear friend.” 

Former colleague Tony Whittome said: "She was amazing, she was quite extraordinary, she was charasmatic, she was fun, she was a bit wild, full of imagination, fiercely loyal to her authors, bit of a fighter." 

Freestone’s funeral will be held on 7th July at the Church of St John, Cutcombe, Exmoor. All publishing friends and colleagues are welcome to attend and if you would like further details please email Sophie Meyer (sophiemeyerdevelopment@gmail.com) to r.s.v.p.