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HarperCollins Ireland has appointed Catherine Gough from Gill Books as commissioning editor, while in the UK there is a promotion for Avon and HarperFiction marketing director Hannah O'Brien.
Currently head of editorial development at Gill Books, Gough (pictured, top) joins on 1st March and will assume responsibility for acquiring Irish-originated fiction and non-fiction alongside publisher Conor Nagle. The hire sees HarperCollins Ireland seek to capitalise on the momentum established by its debut release, Ray D'Arcy's bestseller A Page from My Life, and “build a list that showcases the very best in Irish literary and creative talent”.
Over the course of her tenure as Gill Books’ managing editor, Gough helped develop and publish of dozens of bestselling titles, including the blockbuster Aisling novels, award-winning works of non-fiction from authors like Richie Sadlier, Neven Maguire and Lynn Ruane, as well as several hugely successful Irish children’s titles.
Nagle said: “For all of us at HarperCollins Ireland, Catherine’s arrival is cause for real excitement. She brings with her a wealth of experience, an impeccable track record, and a genuinely inspiring vision for the future of our list. Having witnessed first-hand her contribution to countless landmark releases over the years, I know how inspiring and energetic a presence she can be. Frankly, I can’t wait to welcome her aboard.”
Gough added: “I’m lucky to have spent 10 fantastic years at Gill, where I got to hone my craft and work with an incredible team, but I’m ready now to look to the future. I’m very excited to join HarperCollins Ireland as commissioning editor, and I can’t wait to discover new voices in Irish writing and work with my colleagues to produce beautiful and engaging books.”
Meanwhile in the UK, Hannah O'Brien (pictured, right) has been promoted to senior marketing director for HarperFiction and Avon. Previously the marketing director, she will continue to report to Roger Cazalet, associate publisher for HarperFiction, HarperNonFiction and Avon.
The promotion “comes in recognition of O’Brien’s contribution and success over the past five years, becoming one of the leading marketers in the industry and building a best-in-class marketing team around her”.
In 2018, she broadened her remit to include the Avon list, took on additional responsibility as marketing liaison for HarperCollins ANZ for HarperFiction, HarperNonFiction and Avon, and more recently added marketing oversight for HarperCollins Ireland.
The work of O’Brien and her team was recognised in December with award-winning success across five titles at the Book Marketing Society Awards: for its work on Katerina Diamond’s The Heatwave, Kester Grant’s Court of Miracles, Beth Morrey’s Saving Missy, Fern Britton’s Daughters of Cornwall and Lucy Foley’s The Guest List.
Cazalet said: “I’m so pleased for Hannah. She’s built an extraordinary, and well-deserved reputation for an enviable mix of creativity, strategic flair, energy, tenacity and verve, with the reader always front and centre in her thinking."
O’Brien said: "I am delighted to be given this opportunity. Whether in HarperFiction or Avon, Australia or Ireland, I am hugely grateful to work with a team of such incredibly talented, dynamic and creative people, who have inspired and challenged me every day for the past 11 years. I am thrilled to continue this journey and can’t wait to see what more we can achieve together."