Lena McCauley joins Macmillan Children’s Books as fiction publishing director
Lena McCauley is to join Macmillan Children’s Books (MCB) as fiction publishing director, taking
charge of its graphic novel and illustrated fiction list at a time of ambitious growth.
She will lead the list’s expansion and help shape the division’s wider middle grade fiction strategy.
Lena will start her new role on 11 January 2027, reporting to fiction and non-fiction publisher
Eishar Brar, and joins fiction associate publisher Sarah Hughes and newly appointed First Ink
Editorial Director Carla Hutchinson in the team.
Lena has spent over fifteen years in publishing, beginning in New York and, for the last decade,
at Hachette Children’s Group in the UK, where she has championed standout new talent and now
serves as editorial director for fiction. She has published a range of authors, including L. D.
Lapinski, author of The Strangeworlds Travel Agency; J. J. Arcanjo, whose debut Crookhaven:
School for Thieves was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize; Lize Meddings,
creator of The Sad Ghost Club, and and Candice Brathwaite, the Sunday Times bestselling author
who debuted in the YA market with Cuts Both Ways. Her books have won the Waterstones
Children’s Book Prize and the Blue Peter Award, and have been shortlisted for the Branford
Boase Award for outstanding debut novels.
Macmillan Children’s Books has had recent success with its graphic novel and illustrated fiction
list, launching bestselling debut graphic novel series, Tiny Hercules by Jon Lock and Nich Angell,
with the audiobook shortlisted for this year’s British Audio Awards, and selling over two million
copies of the InvestiGators series, the third bestelling graphic novel series in the UK to date.
Eishar Brar, fiction and non-fiction publisher for Macmillan Children’s Books said:
'Bringing Lena on board marks a thrilling new chapter for our fiction list at Macmillan Children’s
Books. Lena’s stellar track record of championing standout talent speaks for itself - her editorial
eye, passion for visual storytelling, and deep commitment to author care make her the perfect fit
to lead our graphic novel and illustrated fiction list. As our team continues to focus on reaching
readers where they are with an inclusive, commercial ethos, Lena’s vision will be instrumental in
driving our list forward. We couldn't be happier to welcome her to the team.'
Reflecting on her upcoming new role, Lena McCauley said:
'I am thrilled to be joining Eishar’s team at Macmillan Children’s Books in the new year. While I’m
sad to be leaving my wonderful authors and colleagues at Hachette, I couldn’t resist the
opportunity to join Macmillan, whose list I have long admired, at a time when they have huge
ambitions to build on their existing success. I can’t wait to work with the brilliant team there and
to lead their award-winning and bestselling graphic novel & illustrated fiction list.'
