Bookseller Rising Stars 2026 feature four from Pan Macmillan
Pan Macmillan is celebrating today as four talented colleagues have been selected for The Bookseller’s prestigious Rising Stars class of 2026.
The annual list recognizes the finest up-and-coming talent across the publishing industry, spotlighting individuals who are driving innovation, creativity, and commercial success.
This year’s honourees represent outstanding achievements across editorial, design, and publicity:
- Ajebowale Roberts, senior editor, Tor
- Emma Pidsley, senior designer
- Louisa Sheridan, publicity manager, Macmillan Children’s Books
- Raphaella Demetris, commissioning editor, Pan Fiction
Since joining the Tor team last year, Aje Roberts has led a whirlwind of high-profile acquisitions in genre fiction and romance. Her recent signings include Jade Church, Deanna Ortega, Clio Evans, and the previously self-published H. M. Wolfe, whose recently released novel Daggermouth is shaping up to be a sensation.
Speaking about her role, Roberts described the move to Tor as ‘a total dream come true’, adding, ‘I’ve been allowed to fully spread my wings and acquire intersectionally diverse authors for the list’.
Emma Pidsley’s striking, commercial jacket designs have shaped some of the industry's most talked-about books, including Sarah Langan’s Trad Wife, Saou Ichikawa’s Hunchback, and Asako Yuzuki’s Butter. Rachel Vale, art director at Pan Macmillan, praised Pidsley’s ‘rare ability to make a book feel inevitable, as though no other cover could exist for it’.
Reflecting on the creative bravery required in design, Pidsley noted that a successful designer must remain ‘curious and thoughtful’, stating that ‘creating (and advocating for) a standout design requires a certain amount of bravery’.
Louisa Sheridan joined MCB in 2022, where she manages Julia Donaldson’s publishing schedule and spearheads campaigns for the young adult imprint First Ink. Sheridan recently orchestrated the campaign for Gruffalo Granny, securing widespread media coverage across UK television and radio channels and organizing high-impact book projections in London and Glasgow. Her efforts propelled the title to number one on the Amazon chart for two weeks straight – a full seven months ahead of publication.
Gruffalo Granny
by Julia Donaldson
This is the brand new Gruffalo picture book from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
The Gruffalo said to his daughter one day,
“Your Gruffalo Granny is coming to stay.”
Return to the deep dark wood with the first new Gruffalo story in over 20 years, and meet Gruffalo Granny as she visits the Gruffalo family. This fresh and exciting new Gruffalo adventure features the return of much-loved characters and is destined to become a classic.
Raphaella Demetris joined Pan's crime and thriller team in 2024, bringing a highly analytical and trend-aware approach to frontlist acquisitions, IP projects, and backlist reinvention. Her notable achievements include bringing self-published author Noelle W. Ihli to the list, editing Scottish crime legend Lin Anderson, and driving the reissue programme for Peter Robinson’s acclaimed DCI Banks series.
Demetris credits her success to ‘having a curious mindset and staying abreast of consumer trends’ across the wider cultural landscape, alongside a ‘fierce loyalty’ to her authors.
We are incredibly proud of Aje, Emma, Louisa, and Raphaella for their well-deserved recognition and their continued contributions to Pan Macmillan’s success.
