Helen Huthwaite
Publishing DirectorHelen is pretty sure that if you cut her open she would bleed Avon, having joined the division soon after its inception in 2010 and leading the team as Publishing Director since 2017. Helen’s voracious love of commercial fiction means that working at Avon isn’t much like a job at all, particularly as she gets to work with some of the very best authors in the business on the most page-turning novels around.
Sarah Bauer
Deputy Publishing DirectorSarah has been obsessed with commercial fiction for as long as she can remember. Before joining Avon, she’d worked at a number of publishers including Zaffre and Orion and has been lucky enough to publish some wonderful authors from well-known Sunday Times bestsellers, to launching debut novels. Sarah loves books that grip you from the first page, be it a thriller, romcom, sweeping historical saga or anything in-between – and she’s a sucker for a happy ending. She particularly enjoys novels with a strong female lead or a speculative edge and is keen to work with more underrepresented voices. She’s also given herself the title of Avon team baker.
Amy Mae Baxter
Commissioning EditorAmy has had a varied career prior to Avon, having previously worked at Dialogue Books and Penguin Random House, working on everything from sexy romance novels to historical essay collections. Her passion, however, is hooky commercial fiction. Whether it be thrilling crime or soaring romance, Amy is focussed on books with a brilliant one sentence pitch – books that move genres on, whilst remaining firmly seated in tropes we know and love. Much of her career has been spent working with writers of colour, and in her spare time, she runs a books magazine by and about writers of colour, Bad Form. She is particularly interested in hearing from writers from underrepresented backgrounds, especially those interested in developing IP ideas.
Rachel Hart
Commissioning EditorHaving previously been at Head of Zeus and Welbeck, Rachel has loved working with phenomenal debut authors as well as seasoned Sunday Times bestsellers. She has always been passionate about commercial fiction and commissions broadly, from hilarious romcoms to twisty psychological thrillers, sweeping historical sagas to cosy crime and everything in between. She is keen to publish more underrepresented voices and looks forward to welcoming new authors to the Avon family.
Elisha Lundin
EditorAs an assistant editor, Elisha’s adoration for words is endless. She is passionate about storytelling and its wider impact on society, and when she is not reading or listening to stories, she’ll be behind her film camera where her photos speak for her. As a lover of romance, psychological thrillers, and crime fiction she is excited to see what the next year of publishing can bring to commercial fiction authors from underrepresented groups.
Raphaella Demetris
Assistant EditorOur editorial assistant, Raphaella is inspired by the power of books to evoke emotional responses, connect people, and affect change. With a background in market research and insights, she is interested in how our commercial publishing can tap into emerging reader trends, and reach a wider, inclusive audience. Most weekends, Raphaella can be found rearranging her bookcase to try and fit in her ever-growing collection of books!
Maddie Dunne Kirby
Marketing ManagerAs marketing manager, Maddie loves the creative elements of publishing, the beautifully designed assets, catchy shoutlines and finding new ways to make campaigns interactive are some of her favourite parts of the job.
An avid reader of all genres she loves Avon’s wide range of authors from Sue Moorcroft to Helen Fields and Molly Green to Lisa Timoney. When she isn’t reading, Maddie enjoys running, kickboxing and playing tennis.
Katie Buckley
Key Account Manager
Katie describes herself as a reader before she’s anything else – she grew up with a librarian as a mother in a house full of books. Before working in sales, Katie spent almost a decade working in restaurants. When she’s not reading or pressing the latest Avon title into someone’s hands, she can be found eating her way around London.
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Ella Young
Marcomms ExecutiveHaving studied International Relations, Ella is passionate about politics and stories. She is motivated by the power of a good book, whether that be an escapist romance novel or a social commentary manifesto. When not reading, she enjoys watching gripping TV dramas and documentaries.