Editorial team

Francis Bickmore

Publisher at large / Edinburgh & London

About my list
I’m interested in supporting writers to tell the stories they need to tell and building author careers over time. I’m fascinated by the way that so many of the books that are remembered are those that initially seem risky, defy genre categorisation, and are by writers who stray off the beaten track. Having worked at Canongate for more than twenty years I have a fairly full roster.

What I’m looking for
Books that make me want to stay up all night reading. I respect individuality and oblique world views above all. I’m interested in the hybrid forms of fiction and non-fiction that understand the rules of their genre and deliberately go beyond them.

What I’m not looking for
Ghost-written books, cookbooks.

Assisted by Melissa Tombere.

Ellah Wakatama

Editor at large / London

About my list
My list focuses on fiction that is innovative in form and approach. I’m interested in books that are urgent – dealing with universal issues explored through a unique and personal lens.

What I’m looking for
Above all, I’m after beautiful sentences, compelling and intimate stories, and bold and challenging viewpoints. I love writing that bends and weaves form to fit the shape a story needs. Primarily looking for fiction with the rare non-fiction title.

What I’m not looking for
Humour titles, pop culture.

Assisted by Rali Chorbadzhiyska.

Leah Woodburn

Editor at large / London

About my list
I have a focus on acquiring literary fiction with broad appeal. The books that excite me tend to have a distinctive narrative voice and immersive storytelling at their heart.

What I’m looking for
I enjoy novels that transport me to an unfamiliar world, or explore a familiar one with fresh eyes. I’m particularly drawn to them if they’re dark, funny or, even better, funny and sad at the same time, but I always want to be left feeling moved in some way.

What I’m not looking for
Non-fiction, genre fiction.

Assisted by Rali Chorbadzhiyska.

Simon Thorogood

Editorial Director / London

About my list
My list is centred on books driven by ideas. They may be about current issues, science, history, identity, sexuality, philosophy, nature, or lived experience. They may present an argument, unpack new research for the general reader, or take the form of a memoir, but all are written by writers with authority to tell that story. I also oversee our Canons list.

What I’m looking for
I’m mostly drawn to books which add something new to the dialogue or share the excitement of a deeper understanding of the world.

What I’m not looking for
Fiction, humour titles, pop culture.

Assisted by Claire Reiderman.

Helena Gonda

Senior Commissioning Editor / London

About my list
My list tends to have quite a campaigning, mission-driven bent. I enjoy powerful female voices and story-driven, narrative non-fiction that gives readers insight into new experiences. I’m drawn to books that explore gender politics and sexuality and nature writers who do something different with the genre.

What I’m looking for
I’m looking for books that capture the zeitgeist – anything that touches on current affairs, spanning wellness to memoir, with a focus on punchy feminist writing, millennial voices and issues.

What I’m not looking for
Cookery.

Assisted by Claire Reiderman.

Vicki Rutherford

Head of Editorial Management / Edinburgh

I work with the whole team to project-manage all Canongate’s titles from final edit through to print. As I have a background in children’s publishing I still love reading in this area, as well as fiction or non-fiction covering feminist issues, particularly relating to motherhood.

Leila Cruickshank

Managing Editor / Edinburgh

I work with our authors and editors to project-manage all our titles from final edit through to print. I am also managing editor for our Canons list. I like to read fiction and narrative non-fiction, with particular interest in literary, speculative, fantasy and YA fiction, and Scottish and/or feminist writing.