You are viewing your 1 free article this month. Login to read more articles.
Egmont fiction publishing director Ali Dougal is moving to Simon & Schuster Children’s UK in the newly created role of publishing director with editorial responsibility for fiction, picture books and non-fiction publishing.
Dougal will report to m.d. Rachel Denwood and will work closely with her on the strategic direction of S&S’ Children’s publishing as the company steps up its growth plans. She will focus on maximising global publishing opportunities, managing the development of cross-list talent and fast-tracking fiction growth, including making her own fiction acquisitions and will join S&S in March 2020, ahead of the Bologna Book Fair.
She will head editorial at S&S Children’s with Helen Mackenzie Smith, editorial director, picture books and novelty, and Jane Griffiths, editorial director for fiction, reporting to her. Mackenzie Smith and Griffiths will continue to drive and oversee their respective list areas. A new fiction editor, who will report to Griffiths, is being recruited to support growth.
Dougal has worked at Egmont for 10 years publishing various authors including Laura Ellen Anderson, Elizabeth Acevedo, Holly Jackson, Jim Smith and Jenny McLachlan.
Egmont has announced her replacement as Lindsey Heaven, who is being promoted from editorial director, while Liz Bankes will step up to editorial director from her role as commissioning editor.
Denwood said: "I am thrilled to welcome Ali to S&S. Her appointment signals great things ahead for our talented team and for our wonderful community of authors and illustrators. Ali has published a roster of bestsellers and award-winners, demonstrating creativity, an international outlook and commerciality. We have created this key role to bring a holistic and focused approach to our publishing as we deliver on our ambitious growth plans – and Ali is the perfect person to take up this exciting opportunity."
Dougal said: "After a wonderful 10 years at Egmont, I’m so excited to be joining S&S Children’s at this important time for the business. There's a lot of terrific talent across the S&S lists, and working with Rachel and the team to harness that and find new gems to develop, to deliver the plans for growth, is a thrilling prospect at the start of this new year and decade. I'm delighted to be part of it."