Townhouse publishing founder Kathryn Jewitt dies, aged 55

Kathryn Jewitt (née Smith), founding member of children’s publisher Townhouse, died unexpectedly on 22nd March, aged 55.

Townhouse said: “Kath was the heart and soul of Townhouse and we will miss her desperately. One word we have heard so many times from her colleagues is kind. She was the kindest soul you could ever meet.”

Jewitt held a degree in English Literature from Durham and a postgraduate Printing and Publishing Diploma from the London College of Printing, and rose to become a skilled and influential editorial director, working for a number of the UK’s most successful children’s book packagers and mass-market publishers.

Steve Richards, m.d. of Dynamo, where Jewitt was managing editor for six years, said: “Kath was a creative powerhouse with limitless energy, passion, understanding and ability, no matter the challenge. She was also a hugely positive influence on every person she worked with, whether staff or collaborator, and even on those days when others around her were struggling under the pressure, or generally feeling down, she had the ability to lift them up with her positive energy and compassion.”

Etta Saunders, publisher at Parragon, who worked alongside Jewitt when she was editorial director from 2016–18, recalled how she “achieved the almost impossible”. “She managed the large editorial team, working with them on a vast list of titles covering many formats, from series fiction through to pre-school novelty titles, all at breakneck speed to mass-market deadlines, without compromising on creative standards (which were raised considerably under her direction) and she still remained very loved by the whole team. She was thoroughly respected by all for her calm demeanour and warm and witty personality.”

Author Moira Butterfield, friend and collaborator for many years, added: “The freelance authors and illustrators she worked with will greatly miss Kath’s quintessential editorial skills. As an accomplished writer, she was aware of the challenges of the freelancer and could be counted on to fight the corner for her creators when needed. Overarching her entire career was her passion for children’s reading—and that led her to do the best she could for every publication she worked on. Such breadth of work and experience, coupled with the kindest and most empathetic of natures, will be sorely missed by all of those in the book world who came into contact with her.”

Jewitt is survived by her husband Richard and children Will and Maddy.

For funeral details, please contact Louise Quinn at l.quinn@townhouse-books.com.