Lucy Pearse joins S&S Children's as editorial director for fiction

Lucy Pearse is to join Simon & Schuster Children's as editorial director for fiction this autumn. 

Currently working as senior commissioning editor at Macmillan Children's Books, Pearse will make the move in November, and will report to publishing director Ali Dougal. Samantha Swinnerton will remain in post as acting editorial director, until Pearse takes up her new role.

Dougal said: "Lucy Pearse is a first-class acquirer and editor with strong strategic instinct and an eye for quality, commercial writing that children will love. She’s a brilliant fit for the team we’re building here at S&S Children’s – we can’t wait to welcome her on board."

Pearse will work closely with her on the strategic direction of S&S Children’s Fiction and YA publishing, overseeing the growth and development of the list. Pearse will also acquire and edit her own list of authors and manage the fiction editorial team.

Named a Bookseller Rising Star in 2018, Pearse has acquired, edited and published  break-out fiction titles including the Adventures on Trains series by M G Leonard and Sam Sedgman, A Girl Called Owl by Amy Wilson and The Umbrella Mouse by Anna Fargher. In 2019 she won the Branford Boase Prize for I Am Thunder, with Muhammad Khan. She has also published several established bestsellers including Andy Griffiths, Terry Denton and Elizabeth Laird.

She said: "Pan Macmillan is home to many authors and colleagues that I have cherished working with and I will miss their commitment and passion hugely. Joining Ali, Rachel and the team at S&S to help build on their impressive and energetic list is an amazing opportunity, and I'm so looking forward to rolling up my sleeves alongside them."