Qureshi steps up to Hodder commissioning editor and nets Benton-Walker's 'powerful’ YA fantasy

Hodder & Stoughton has promoted Natasha Qureshi, formerly assistant editor, to commissioning editor, with her first acquisition a "powerful" YA fantasy by Terry J Benton-Walker.

Qureshi, who joined Hodder from Titan books in August 2021, will report to editorial director Molly Powell and acquire science fiction, fantasy and horror fiction in her new role.

As her first acquisition as a commissioning editor Qureshi bought UK and Commonwealth rights to Blood Debts from Patrice Caldwell at New Leaf Literary & Media for publication in April 2023 in tandem with Tor Teen.

The publisher says: “This contemporary young adult fantasy confronts issues of race, intergenerational trauma, and white privilege in a chaotic world filled with magic and already has blurbs from Chloe Gong, Ayana Gray, T J Klune, and Roseanne A Brown.”

Benton-Walker is the author of Alex Wise vs the End of the World, an apocalyptic contemporary fantasy debut being published by Labyrinth Road in autumn 2023.

He said: “I’m incredibly honoured that Blood Debts will be joining the wonderful world of Hodderscape, which I’ve always admired. I’m also looking forward to working with Natasha and Molly, whose genuine excitement and commitment to this series and me has been impeccable.”

Qureshi said: “I am so proud that Hodder will be publishing Blood Debts. Terry writes from such a personal place in Blood Debts as it deals with themes of queer identity, intergenerational trauma, and white privilege. [It is] a powerful story of Afro-American identity, and a must read on your fantasy list.”

Caldwell commented: “There aren’t many YA fantasy novels like Blood Debts in the market – written by a gay Black man and centring a gay Black boy who, along with his sister, are out for justice but also healing themselves and their community and rooted in love. From the moment I read it, I knew I had to work with Terry – I can’t wait for this book to be out in the world, and I’m thrilled it’ll be part of the Hodderscape list.”