Reshuffle at Bonnier Books UK’s adult trade editorial team

The adult trade editorial team at Bonnier Books UK has announced major changes with Steph Carey joining from Joffe Books as Kelly Smith and Matt Phillips step up. 

Carey recently joined the team as senior commissioning editor for digital-first imprint Embla Books, from Joffe Books, where she was commissioning for the past four years, specialising in publishing digital commercial fiction across genres working with major authors such as Peter Boland, C J Grayson and Anya Mora. 

Bonnier Books UK said: “This appointment comes in an extraordinary year of growth for Embla. In just over three years, the digital-first imprint has sold more than 2.5 million ebooks, with over 60% of their titles hitting the Kindle top 100 and over 20% of the list reaching the top 10.” 

In the Zaffre fiction team, Smith, previously senior commissioning editor, has been promoted to the position of editorial director, continuing to acquire across SFF and Crime, “following a string of high-profile acquisitions and a raft of successful publishing,” the publisher said. Recent highlights include Susie Dent’s debut novel Guilty by Definition, romantasy title Olivia Rose Darling’s Fear the Flames and the forthcoming Ian Fleming Q Mysteries from Vaseem Khan.  

Additionally Phillips, previously non-fiction publisher across Blink, John Blake and Lagom, has moved into a new role as associate publisher taking on a wider remit across the whole adult division. “Matt has been at Bonnier for eight years and has played a key role in the growth of the adult business,” Bonnier Books UK said.

“An exceptional leader, he oversaw Blink being shortlisted for Imprint of the Year in 2023 at the Nibbies, along with shortlistings from his team for Editor of the Year two years in a row.”  

Sarah Benton, managing director for adult trade, said: “These three new roles are part of our continued ambitions to cement our growth for Bonnier Books UK. I am thrilled to welcome Steph to the Embla team in such a game-changing year for them. Their growth over the past three years has been exceptional and I am so excited to see what Steph brings to the list. 

“And nothing makes me happier than rewarding our existing staff; Kelly and Matt’s promotions couldn’t be more deserved. Kelly’s had an extraordinary year as she’s embraced our pivot into SFF with enormous passion and is becoming a key tastemaker and destination editor in the industry. Her commitment to, and love of, genre publishing has been a joy to witness. 

“Matt has been such a key leader for Bonnier Books UK over the past year. His mix of creativity, vision and strategy has been invaluable to me as I continue to build our business further with the integration of Black & White Publishing Group. There is no one else I would want by my side for the next chapter in our success.” 

Commercial fiction submissions can be sent to Carey on the Embla list at stephanie.carey@bonnierbooks.co.uk. Submissions for SFF and Crime submissions should be sent to Smith at Zaffre on kelly.smith@bonnierbooks.co.uk.