Welbeck unveils children's fiction imprint

Welbeck Publishing Group is launching a new children's fiction imprint, Welbeck Flame, with Felicity Alexander joining as associate publisher.

The imprint will publish authors and illustrators from leading fiction brands as well as new writers, and has been designed to complement titles on Welbeck Children’s illustrated non-fiction publishing programme.

Publisher for children’s books Jane Harris said: “Stories change lives and in today’s challenging world the importance and relevance of storytelling could not be more pertinent, especially for children. To have the opportunity to develop a new children’s fiction list to complement Welbeck’s existing children’s colour-illustrated non-fiction list is very exciting and one that I hope authors, illustrators and agents will also be excited about. We have a strong and clear vision for growing our children’s business and adding fiction to the division will enable us to reach even more readers all over the world.”  

Alexander will join Harris as associate publisher for the imprint in January 2021. Alexander previously worked with Harris at Piccadilly and HotKey Books for four years as senior commissioning editor, building a roster of children’s fiction brands and talent including Isla Fisher, Robert Muchamore, Sebastien de Castell and Wilbur Smith.

Commenting on the appointment, Harris said: “I am thrilled Fliss will be joining the team to develop Flame. Her professional ability to work with authors, illustrators and agents is outstanding and having worked with Fliss before, I know her enthusiasm and passion for acquiring the best stories will ensure Flame will catch fire!”

Alexander added: “I’m absolutely delighted to be joining forces with Jane again and to be building a brand-new children’s fiction list at such an innovative independent publisher. I am wide open to submissions as of January—and really looking forward to discovering brilliant stories for tomorrow’s readers.”