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Scholastic’s James appointed publishing director at HCG as Lunn joins from Puffin
Hachette Children’s Group (HCG) has appointed Scholastic’s Leah James to the newly created role of publishing director for colour non-fiction, while Puffin’s Emily Lunn is also joining the team.
James will report to colour non-fiction publisher Kate Newport, tasked with delivering “a sustainable programme of innovative, market-leading colour non-fiction publishing” and broadening HCG’s list in line with commercial strategies. She will also lead on IP and partnerships for this genre.
She joins on 23rd November from her current role as executive editor for non-fiction and licensing at Scholastic, where she has worked since 2015. She has also worked at Walker Books and Egmont UK, alongside freelance editorial roles.
During her time at Scholastic she acquired titles including Ian Wright’s first children’s autobiographical novel Striking Out, Growing Up Black in Britain by Stuart Lawrence, two growing-up guides by Dr Emily MacDonagh and Benjamin Zephaniah’s picture book about the voyage of HMT Empire Windrush We Sang Across the Sea. She was also instrumental in Scholastic’s partnership with Untold Narratives, a development programme for writers marginalised by community or conflict.
James said: “After eight wonderful years with fantastic colleagues, authors and illustrators at Scholastic, I’m thrilled to have been given the opportunity to join the talented colour non-fiction team at HCG. I’m very much looking forward to working with Kate and the team and helping to build on HCG’s success.”
HCG has also promoted Laura Horsley to publishing director for text-led non-fiction with immediate effect. She continues to report to Ruth Alltimes, group senior trade publisher.
Lunn has joined her team as senior commissioning editor from Puffin. During her time at PRH, Lunn acquired publishing from Captain Tom and presenter Adam Henson, and led a TV tie-in partnership with BBC Earth. Other acquisitions included The Puffin Keeper by Michael Morpurgo and Benji Davies, publishing from Rashmi Sirdeshpande, and author–illustrator Abigail Balfe. She previously worked in editorial roles at Michael Joseph and Bloomsbury Children’s.
Hilary Murray Hill, c.e.o. of Hachette Children’s Group, commented: “We are proud to be at the forefront of the growth in quality and innovative non-fiction for children and young adults. I am absolutely delighted to welcome Leah and Emily to their respective teams and to announce the promotion for Laura.
“Leah is an extremely talented non-fiction editor who demonstrably has her finger on the pulse, and whose skills will really complement our current talented team. Laura has an outstanding track record in acquiring and publishing bestselling and award-winning non-fiction for HCG, and I’m thrilled that Emily has joined her team as we continue to acquire and publish forward-thinking, market-focused books for the UK, drive growth for our international co-edition business and achieve our vision of publishing for every child and young person.”
