Bond, Smith and Souster named Bookseller Rising Stars 2025
Melissa Bond, Cheyney Smith and Becca Souster have been named Bookseller Rising Stars 2025.
The 15th edition of the annual list features the book trade’s up-and-comers.
Described as “one of publishing’s unsung heroes,’ editorial manager Melissa Bond said ‘I’d love managing editors to be recognised as central strategic partners in the publishing process; we are distinct from, but just as essential as commissioning editors in bringing books to life” and was commended for relishing ‘the balance of creativity, problem solving and people management’ that her job brings.
Cheyney Smith scooped Futurebook’s Future Leader of the Year and a BMS Award for the campaign for Hafsah Faizal’s A Tempest of Tea last year and was also recognised for her work co-chairing Pan Mac’s race and ethnicity staff network RISE. She hopes the industry can change the trajectory for children’s reading levels and become more inclusive “both internally and with the books we publish”.
In a rapidly changing landscape, Head of Audio Sales & Strategy Becca Souster has “excelled”, powering Pan Mac’s audio toward huge growth in the year since joining. She told The Bookseller: “One thing I’d really love to see is a shift in how we talk about audiobooks. There’s still a bit of lingering snobbery around the idea that listening isn’t ‘proper’ reading – but it absolutely is. Audiobooks are a brilliant, valid way to engage with stories and they make reading more accessible to so many people.”
See the full list here: https://www.thebookseller.com/rising-stars
