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The Bookseller is today calling for entries for the 11th edition of Rising Stars, its annual list that celebrates the British and Irish book industry’s up-and-comers. The list will publish on 4th June.
Originally launched in 2011, each year the Rising Stars selects around 40 book trade professionals who are tipped as leaders of the future. The list features those who are relatively early in their careers, or others who are more further along who may have changed their roles in order revitalise a company or part of the industry.
A number of previous honorees have gone on to become head of houses, run imprints, have huge influence in their sectors or launch their own companies, such as now Collins Learning m.d. Alex Beecroft (Rising Stars class of 2013), Dialogue Books publisher Sharmaine Lovegrove (2017), Waterstones children’s book buyer Florentyna Martin (2017) and Magic Cat co-founders Jenny Broom (2015) and Rachel Williams (2013).
Broom and Williams’ illustrated publisher is this year’s joint London regional winner of the British Book Award for Small Press of the Year, and many other Rising Stars have gone on to claim Nibbies, including the last three winners of the Agent of the Year: Karolina Sutton, Cathryn Summerhayes and Madeleine Milburn.
One member of the 2021 class will be named the "Shooting Star", a nominee the judges believe deserves slightly greater recognition. Last year a marketer was named the Shooting Star for the first time, Penguin Random House senior manager, audience marketing Indira Birnie. The previous two Shooting Stars were from Pan Macmillan, then international sales director for Europe and the Middle East, Laura Ricchetti (who last year moved to a role at Penguin Random House) and Picador’s now editorial director Sophie Jonathan.
Tom Tivnan, The Bookseller managing editor and founder of Rising Stars, said: "Assembling the Rising Stars list is one of the things I most look forward to each year; just seeing the depth and breadth of talent the industry has on offer is heart warming. Given the events of the past year, the Rising Stars has perhaps taken on even more importance as innovation and creativity have become paramount for the industry during the pandemic. I can’t wait to see this year’s submissions."
To nominate someone, or yourself, send a testimonial outlining their/your accomplishments to tom.tivnan@thebookseller.com. Entries must be received by 30th April.