Mcdonald joins Sphere permanently as editorial director for crime and thrillers

Tilda McDonald has stepped into a permanent role at Sphere Fiction following 12 months covering fiction publisher Lucy Malagoni’s parental leave. 

In her role as editorial director for crime and thriller titles, McDonald will report to publishing director and IP director Ed Wood. 

McDonald began her career with roles at Endeavour Press and Harlequin before moving to Penguin Michael Joseph, where she worked on international bestselling authors including Jojo Moyes and Liane Moriarty. 

Before covering for Malagoni, she was senior commissioning editor at Avon, working with authors such as Scott Mariani and Katerina Diamond, as well as overseeing the growth of rising stars Phillipa Ashley and Fiona Gibson.   

Malagoni said: “Over the past year, Tilda has made such an impact, supporting and driving the strategy for some of our biggest brand authors. I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to work with her. With so much more to come this year, I know Tilda will be instrumental in driving our success for the future.”   

McDonald said: "I’m so happy to join Sphere permanently. Although I started during a lockdown, I couldn’t have asked for a more welcoming team. It was a privilege to work with Lucy’s outstanding authors last year, as well as to acquire Colleen Hoover’s thrillers for Sphere. Now I’m looking forward to building my list and commissioning yet more brilliant crime and thriller voices."