Natalie Doherty rejoins Puffin in newly created role of publisher for Puffin Press

Puffin has appointed Natalie Doherty in the newly created role of publisher for Puffin Press, part of Penguin Random House Children’s. 

Doherty will lead the acquisition of middle-grade fiction debuts, “building a brand-new and exciting list of the best of new voices and children’s storytellers”, with Puffin Press designed “to accelerate Puffin’s fiction growth”.  

In her previous time at PRH Children’s, Doherty acquired and edited Puffin’s middle-grade titles, including Murder Most Unladylike, Wonder, The Christmasaurus, The Hatmakers and City of Stolen Magic. She joined HarperCollins Children’s Books (HCCB) as fiction publishing director in May 2023.  

Doherty will report to publishing director Ruth Knowles and will start at PRH Children’s on Monday 29th April. 

Knowles said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Natalie back to the team. Puffin’s debut middle-grade fiction has gone from strength to strength in recent years, and we’re so excited to continue our search for new talent with Nat’s return and her new role and list. We’re celebrating The Swifts by Beth Lincoln, acquired by Ben Horslen – the bestselling hardback debut of 2023, a New York Times bestseller, winner of this year’s Children’s Nero Award and on the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize shortlist; and this month we publish The Whisperwicks by Jordan Lees, acquired by Carmen McCullough, with 13 rights deals secured ahead of publication. Having Natalie in place in this newly created role will build on our existing success and allow for even more focus in this thriving part of the fiction market.” 

Doherty added: "I’m very sad to be saying goodbye to the brilliant HCCB team, but I’m thrilled to be returning to Puffin to take on this exciting new role, and to continue to be part of building the truly exceptional Puffin list and legacy. To launch Puffin Press, a bespoke home for the most stand-out, stellar new voices in middle-grade, and to work with the phenomenal PRH Children’s team once more is a very special opportunity."

Francesca Dow, m.d., described Doherty as “an acquiring star and a leading taste-making publisher in the industry” and said PRH Children’s was “overjoyed to have lured her back to Puffin and the brilliant Puffin team".