Novelist John joins Firefly as senior editor while Lock steps up

Costa-shortlisted novelist Rebecca F John is to join Firefly Press in a new role as senior editor this autumn.

Her appointment coincides with Firefly’s publication of her first novel for children, middle-grade fantasy The Shadow Order, which will be out in September. Her appointment also comes as the Welsh indie expands, with assistant editor Leonie Lock stepping up as editor.

John, who is author of the Costa Prize First Book Award-shortlisted novel The Haunting of Henry Twist (Serpent’s Tail), has worked as an editor for a number of Wales-based publishers, including Gomer and Honno, the Welsh women’s press. She will be publishing two adult novels this year, including one with her own imprint, Aderyn Press.

Firefly publisher Penny Thomas said: "We are huge fans of Rebecca’s work as an author and an editor and are delighted that she is to join Firefly. She will be a wonderful addition to our small but dedicated team as we seek to publish exciting, innovative, quality fiction for children and young adults."

"Joining Firefly is a true honour," John said. "I have admired the work this press does from afar for a long while and, when the opportunity to work with them arose, I was poised to leap at it. Firefly does a huge amount to champion every one of their authors, while demonstrating what a small, Wales-based press can achieve, and I can’t wait to play a part in its exciting future plans."