Powell becomes Hodderscape editorial director in trio of promotions

Hodder & Stoughton has announced three promotions across its fiction editorial team, with Molly Powell stepping into the role of Hodderscape editorial director from her previous role as senior commissioning editor.

Hodderscape is home to Hodder’s adult and YA science fiction, fantasy and horror books, which the company says has “delivered phenomenal sales over the past two years under Molly’s direction”. Her authors include Kerri Maniscalco, Elizabeth Lim and Chloe Gong.

In her new role, the publisher says, Powell will be able to “steer the list towards further growth”.

Bethany Wickington has also been promoted, from commissioning editor to senior commissioning editor. Since joining from Avon, she has acquired Death of a Bookseller by debut novelist and former Waterstones bookseller Alice Slater, a Hodder priority title for 2023, and a new digital gangland crime series by Sam Tobin among many others.

In this new role, she will lead Hodder Fiction’s digital publishing and IP strategy as well as continuing to acquire for the list.

Amy Batley, formerly assistant editor, has been promoted to editor. She publishes Sophie Claire, Maggie Knox and most recently Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan. She will continue to commission across the general fiction list.

Jo Dickinson, executive publisher of Hodder Fiction, said: “I am absolutely delighted for Molly, Beth and Amy. All three have brought immense energy, vision and focus to our publishing as well as being brilliant colleagues. This is an exciting moment in Hodder Fiction’s growth and these promotions reflect the next steps in our evolution.”