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Hot Key Books, Sarah Odedina's new children's publishing company, has hired two publishers from Hodder to its editorial team.
Emily Thomas and Sara O'Connor, previously Hodder YA fiction publisher and senior editorial manager respectively, will both join Hot Key Books at a date to be confirmed. Thomas will become publisher, with O'Connor becoming editorial director, print and digital. Theirs are the first two new appointments to be made since the company's launch in July by parent Bonnier Publishing.
Odedina said: "I am delighted that both Emily and Sara will be joining Hot Key Books. Emily's experience, reputation and track record for publishing brilliant fiction for young readers will be a formidable strength in shaping and building our new list and Sara's enthusiasm for establishing a strong digital and print presence for Hot Key Books means that we will quickly become a powerful presence in the market."
Thomas, who created the Diary of a Chav and Diary of a Snob series by Grace Dent at Hodder Children's Books, as well as overseeing the UK publishing of the Vampire Diaries, added: "Working for such a vibrant, dynamic and successful company as Hachette and Hodder Children's Books, has been the best experience anyone could wish for in publishing. I have learnt a great deal from my time here, particularly from HCB's inspirational publishing director, Anne McNeil.
"I am now really thrilled to be moving on to be part of Hot Key Books, to take up such a privileged and influential role within this very exciting new venture."
O'Connor, who acquired the romantic YA trilogy A Witch in Winter while at Hodder, said: "I am thrilled to be a part of the launch of Hot Key Books and to take up the challenge of connecting amazing authors and their stories with readers in this digital age."
The company plans to publish between 30-50 titles a year, starting from autumn 2012, focusing on children's fiction for ages 9+.