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Seven Dials bolsters non-fiction team with promotions for Brooker and Witty
The Orion Publishing Group has promoted two members of its non-fiction editorial team: George Brooker, from editor to commissioning editor, and Tierney Witty, from editorial assistant to assistant editor.
Brooker joined the company in 2022 and “hit the ground running”, said the firm, acquiring Sarah Beeny’s The Simple Life as well as Easy Air Fryer, plus many more titles scheduled for 2024. As well as supporting brands such as the Chateau series of books by Dick and Angel Strawbridge he is continuing to develop the 10 Things You Should Know series with two new titles coming this year.
In his new role, Brooker’s remit will focus on the commercial non-fiction list Seven Dials, with a particular eye on food and drink, as well as commissioning on to the Trapeze non-fiction list headed by Katie Packer. His first acquisition for the latter includes the memoir Leg from début author Greg Marshall.
Witty joined Orion in 2021 on the annual Hachette traineeship before accepting a permanent position in October of that year. The company said "[He] quickly proved himself as an exceptional assistant with a bright editorial future ahead of him.” He has been a highly valued and enthusiastic member of the team ever since, the company added.
In his new role he will continue to support the non-fiction editorial team on key authors as well as starting to develop his own commissioning for Seven Dials and Trapeze non-fiction, particularly in the area of sport.
The appointments were made by executive publisher Vicky Eribo to bolster the commissioning team as part of the imprint’s five-year growth strategy.
Working closely with Eribo and editorial director Beth Eynon, Brooker and Witty will help “supercharge the list’s output”, growing its share in entertainment, sport, autobiography and memoir, food and drink and true-life stories.
Eribo said: “I am so delighted for George and Tierney—they are both brilliant editors and great colleagues. I’m thrilled they will be taking the next steps in their editorial careers at Orion and am really excited to see the new projects and creativity they will bring to the list in these roles.”
Brooker added: “I’m thrilled to have been made commissioning editor at Seven Dials and Trapeze. Since joining last year, I’ve acquired a number of exciting and fresh voices for both imprints and had the privilege of working with some incredibly talented colleagues.”
