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Orchard publishing director Kate Burns will join HarperCollins in October as its new deputy publisher of children's books. She will report to publisher Ann-Janine Murtagh and will be responsible for the strategic and creative development of HarperCollins' picture book and colour publishing.
At illustrated publisher Orchard, she was responsible for the award-winning Emily Brown book, the Rumblewick series and developing the publishing programmes of Charlie and Lola and Giraffes Can't Dance. She was previously editorial director at Hodder.
Burns said: "I am relishing the prospect of growing the HarperCollins children’s picture book list in a challenging market, as well as working on the classic properties, which remain a cornerstone of every child’s literary inheritance. I believe HarperCollins with its dynamic vision for a digital future and strong commitment to children’s publishing is going to be a very exciting place to be. I am absolutely delighted to be working with Ann-Janine Murtagh again and over the moon to be joining the team."
Meanwhile, Rachel Denwood has been promoted to fiction publishing director and will be responsible for developing the list. Commissioning editor Nick Lake has been appointed editorial director. He will work alongside editorial director Stella Paskins, who will remain responsible for older children's fiction as well as authors such as Darren Shan, Diana Wynne Jones and Garth Nix. Lake and Paskins will report to Denwood.
Ann-Janine Murtagh said: "I am thrilled to be welcoming Kate Burns to HarperCollins Children’s Books. She brings wonderful creative vitality and a wealth of experience to the list. Along with our exceptionally talented fiction team we are set to build our very successful children’s publishing with energy, vigour and great style. Children’s publishing is at the forefront of innovation and change and we all look forward to exciting times ahead."
Earlier this year, the publisher made two staff redunant at its children's department: Gillie Russell, publishing director for fiction 11+, and Sue Buswell, publishing director (picture books).