Quarto appoints Foy to launch new children’s imprint

The Quarto Group has appointed Debbie Foy as publisher of a new children’s non-fiction imprint for ages 12+, due to be revealed later in the year.

The imprint will publish trend-driven content as well as “fresh takes on classic topics” across a range of areas from popular culture to graphic novels. Titles will be launched simultaneously in the UK, North America and internationally.

Foy has been at The Quarto Group since March 2022, as publisher for Wide Eyed Editions and Ivy Kids while Georgia Buckthorn was on parental leave. As publishing director, she previously launched the Wren & Rook imprint at Hachette Children’s, acquiring titles such as You Are Awesome by Matthew Syed, The Cosmic Diary of Our Incredible Universe by Tim Peake and Fall Off, Get Back On, Keep Going by Clare Balding.

Foy is also appointed as publisher, in a job-share with Georgia Buckthorn, for Wide Eyed Editions, home of design-led non-fiction including Young, Gift and Black by Jamia Wilson and Andrea Pippins, National Parks of the U.S.A. by Kate Siber and Chris Turnham, and Rescuing Titanic by Flora Delargy.

Buckthorn will also continue as publisher for Ivy Kids, the award-winning eco-conscious imprint publishing books such as The Fairy Garden, shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2023, and Sainsbury’s Book Award winner Let’s Go For a Walk by “Strictly Come Dancing” winner Ranger Hamza.

Group publishing director for children’s, Shannon Cullen, said: “To say I am delighted to welcome Debbie in this new role would be an understatement. She is a smart, commercial, and considered publisher, which is why she is so well-respected and valued by authors and illustrators, agents and colleagues. To have a publisher of her talent and experience to launch a carefully curated imprint for the 12+ audience brings further opportunities to our trade publishing, and complements our other imprints, including Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, Happy Yak and Words & Pictures.

“Debbie will also work alongside Georgia to grow and develop the Wide Eyed Editions list – one of the most widely acclaimed and admired imprints in illustrated children’s publishing – brings even more expertise to our team, which is already bursting with commercial and creative talent.”

Foy said: “The opportunity to launch a new imprint aimed at the savvy 12+ market was immediately appealing. I’m already a huge admirer of the Wide Eyed list so am delighted to continue working with the support of the awesome teams – both here in the UK and in the US. My aim is to publish a breadth of voices and illustration talent from around the world, so I look forward to speaking to agents about every opportunity.”