About Editorial commissioning guide

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.

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.

Ghost-written books, cookbooks.

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.

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.

Humour titles, pop culture.

My list is focused on literary fiction with broad appeal. The books that excite me tend to have a distinctive narrative voice and immersive storytelling at their heart.

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.

Non-fiction, genre fiction.

I love intelligent non-fiction that informs, inspires and entertains. I am always on the hunt for experts who are also brilliant storytellers. I like new takes on big subjects, exciting ideas and arguments and extraordinary lived experiences.

I’m looking for beautifully written, serious non-fiction that sparks curiosity. I love history of all types and time periods, popular science, books about ideas and current affairs, memoir and nature writing.

Fiction, cookery.

I’m always looking for books from new voices and which centre different perspectives. I love beautiful writing, bold form, distinct voice and great storytelling. I’m drawn to books that challenge my thinking or which leave a deep emotional impact.

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.

Cookery, ghost-written projects.