Bonnier Books UK’s Black and White Publishing Group is strengthening its editorial team with two new hires across their fiction and non-fiction imprints.
Serena Arthur joins the Black & White Publishing Group as commissioning editor across its Footnote Press and Ithaka Press imprints. Prior to joining Bonnier, Arthur worked at Hachette, most recently as an editor at Trapeze Books within Orion. Previously she worked within the Headline division, initially as an editorial trainee for the Headline Fiction team and then as editorial assistant for Wildfire Books. Titles that Serena has previously edited include Meg Clothier’s The Book of Eve, Chloë Ashby’s Second Self, Jenna Clake’s Disturbance, Shelly Jay Shore’s Rules for Ghosting and Rose McDonagh’s One Came Back. She will be acquiring and publishing for the Ithaka and Footnote lists, seeking bold, observant and zeitgiesty fiction in the literary/commercial crossover space. Her first day in the role will be 13th May.
Serena Arthur said: ‘Whilst I’m so grateful to have begun my journey at Hachette, having had the pleasure of working with some of the most talented and inspiring people over the last five years, I’m over the moon to be joining the brilliant team at Bonnier Books UK. Sarah, Vidisha and their teams have crafted impressive lists for Ithaka and Footnote that I’m honoured to have the chance to add to in this next stage of my publishing journey. I can’t wait to consider well-crafted, character-led and uniquely captivating fiction for both lists.’
Vidisha Biswas, Managing Director for Footnote Press, and Sarah Braybrooke, Publishing Director at Ithaka Press said: ‘As Footnote continues to build on its vibrant existing fiction list and Ithaka expands to become a literary list spanning both nonfiction and fiction, we couldn’t be more pleased to have Serena on board. She impressed us hugely at interview stage and we can’t wait to see what she will do.’
Matt James will join the Black & White Publishing Group as commissioning editor for smart thinking and business books imprint, Heligo. He previously worked at Kogan Page where he was commissioning editor for over two years, specialising in smart-thinking, business and technology, publishing titles such as Taming the Machine, 21st Century Business Icons, and The Solutionists. Prior to Kogan Page he was commissioning editor at Bloomsbury Publishing and editorial assistant at Yale University Press. For Heligo, he will be acquiring and publishing titles on smart-thinking, ideas, popular science, business, tech and leadership.
Matt James said: ‘I’m thrilled to be joining the Black & White Publishing Group at Bonnier Books UK as Commissioning Editor. The Heligo imprint is already home to first-class business and smart thinking books, and I’m excited to build upon this foundation by commissioning books that inform and inspire curious readers. I can’t wait to get started!’
Susanna Abbott, Publishing Director for Heligo, said: ‘Heligo is passionate about opening minds, shaping culture and powering great ideas. We were impressed by Matt’s ideas, drive and knowledge of Heligo’s areas of expertise, and are delighted he is joining us to help us to continue to grow the imprint.’
