Sandy leaves HarperCollins after a decade to adapt her own books in Hollywood

HarperCollins publishing director and author Rose Sandy will leave the company in December to adapt her books for film with Hollywood producers.

The publisher said: “HarperCollins is sorry to announce that Rose Sandy, publishing director, HarperNonFiction and Author and Design Academy, has decided to leave HarperCollins to embark on a new chapter.

“A successful novelist in her own right, four of Rose’s novels have been optioned for film or television, and she will be working with Hollywood producers to adapt her stories for screen.”

She joined HarperCollins in 2014 as affiliate publisher from the independent publishing business she launched, Silver Gravity Publishing, which also publishes her own books, and previously worked at Sony Europe, Coca-Cola and Cisco Systems.

After launching HarperCollins’s Christian imprint Harper Inspire in 2018, Sandy moved to HQ and then in June 2022 to her current role. She has published authors including Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman, The Archbishop of Canterbury, Guvna B and Peter Komolafe and “was at the helm of UK Harper360 distribution programme for the HarperCollins Christian publishing business, doubling its business during her tenure”, the company said.

HarperCollins added: “Rose is a passionate advocate for inclusion, demonstrated most obviously by the HarperCollins Author and Design Academy which she created and has run since its launch in early 2021 and which has seen 200 writers and designers from underrepresented backgrounds graduate, with many already achieving success in the industry through book deals, literary representation and awards. Rose has been nominated for ITV’s Lorraine’s Inspirational Women of the Year for her work with the Academy.”

Sandy said: “I have had the most amazing time at HarperCollins, working with many brilliant teams and publishing wonderful, inspiring people. I’m also proud of what we have achieved with the Academy, so grateful for the support shown by everyone involved and excited for the careers of the many talented individuals we have already seen graduate.”

HarperCollins UK c.e.o. Charlie Redmayne said: “Rose has been a hugely positive force at HarperCollins, a fantastic publisher, an innovator and a very generous and inspiring mentor. I’m grateful to her for coming up with the idea of the Author and Design Academy, not only putting it together but running it so successfully – for many, it will be a life-changing opportunity. I know everyone will join me in wishing Rose every success.” 

Sandy’s last day at HarperCollins will be 31st December.