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Emma Smith is leaving Ebury Spotlight after four years to join Robinson as editorial director, where she will launch a new list.
Smith joined Ebury in 2018 as editorial director covering maternity leave for Sara Cywinski. Before that she had been at Orion since 2013, where she was a founding member of Trapeze. During this time she acquired projects such as Part-Time Working Mummy by Rachaele Hambleton, It’s All Absolutely Fine by Ruby Elliot, Wild Embers and Fierce Fairytales by Nikita Gill, Overshare by LGBT YouTubers Rose and Rosie, Safe by Mostly Lit’s Derek Owusu and Grime Kids by DJ Target.
Recent commissions have featured Mo Gilligan, a branded collaboration with the Met Office and Making a Psychopath by Dr Mark Freestone.
Starting on 21st March, her new brief entails acquiring and publishing around 10 books a year on the Robinson general list, including memoir, standout true crime, imaginative nature writing, books that tap into cultural conversations and writers who offer an open door onto big subjects. She will be primarily based in Hachette’s Bristol office.
Smith said: “This is an incredible opportunity to shape a list, run with original ideas and create a vibrant home for new authors at Robinson. I am delighted to be joining the stellar team at Piatkus Constable Robinson and Little, Brown following my parental leave, and am excited to embrace their open-thinking culture. I can’t wait to get started.”
Bohm added: “As we go through the process of reinvigorating the Robinson general list – with an eye on creating more bestsellers and on overall growth – it felt important to hire an editorial director with a proven track record for creative commissioning and a strong commercial mindset. Emma could not be more suited to the role and I am thrilled that she is joining the Robinson team.”