Fritha Saunders promoted to publisher at DK RED as list expands

Fritha Saunders has been promoted to publisher of DK RED, part of DK’s Life division, as the publisher looks to expand its narrative non-fiction list into new categories. Stepping up from editorial director, Saunders will continue to report to publishing director Stephanie Jackson.

Saunders said: “My ambition is to acquire the kind of books people don’t just buy for themselves, but press into the hands of others. This means titles that balance authority with relatability, and insight with real world application. Central to that vision is building a list that attracts both leading specialists and distinctive voices with lived experience, supported by a highly collaborative publishing approach.”

Since launching, the imprint has so far published 12 titles, including: Make Your Brain Your Best Friend by Dr Rachel Barr, Lessons from a Default Parent by Lou Beckett, and The ADHD Women’s Wellbeing Toolkit. Audio has been a particular strength, the imprint says, with author-narrated editions performing strongly across platforms and contributing a significant share of overall sales.

Alongside Saunders’ promotion, the DK RED team continues to grow to support the imprint’s “next phase”. Editorial director Elizabeth Neep, who recently returned from parental leave, has “played a central role in shaping the list, commissioning a number of its standout titles”, while Zoë Rutland has joined as acquisitions editor, bringing experience from DK’s travel division and experience publishing narrative-led projects, including forthcoming titles from Jenna Carr and Annabelle Thorpe.

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