Matt Bates to be editor-at-large for Muswell Press

Former W H Smith fiction buyer Matt Bates is to join the team of small independent Muswell Press as editor at large.

Bates' brief will be to discover new new LGBTQI voices, both in fiction and non- fiction.

Muswell publishers Kate and Sarah Beal said: "We are so pleased that Matt has agreed to join us to curate our brilliant new Gay list.   His wealth of experience, knowledge and passion for the genre will be a real asset to the list and to Muswell Press."

Bates added: "I am delighted to be joining the dynamic and brilliant team at Muswell Press and I look forward to bringing new and talented voices to the list."

Bates left W H Smith in the summer after more than three decades with the retailer, to study English and Creative Writing at Birkbeck.