Picador celebrates record year as Andrea Henry and Sophie Jonathan step up

Andrea Henry joined Picador five years ago following a seven-year tenure as editorial director at Transworld. She recently won highly competitive auctions for acclaimed writers Rachel Clarke and Sophie Pender, while driving non-fiction success for authors including Keon West and Orlando Swayne. Demonstrating her versatility across genres, Henry also crossed into fiction to launch the crime-writing career of The Secret Barrister. 

Sophie Jonathan, who started her career at Picador in 2010, takes charge of the imprint's fiction list. Sophie’s promotion follows the breakout success of Garrett Carr’s debut novel, A Boy from the Sea shortlisted for debut fiction book of the year at the British Book Awards last year, and named a Sunday Times book of 2025 and Observer Best Debut of 2025. In her expanded role, she continues to direct the publishing strategy for literary icons, including Sarah Moss, Emily St. John Mandel and Hernan Diaz. 

In addition, Connor Hutchinson has been promoted from publicity manager to senior publicity manager. Connor has masterminded high-profile nationwide tours for brand authors Mieko Kawakami, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, and Hernan Diaz. In his new role, Connor will continue to lead publicity strategy for the Picador Poetry list and will line-manage the new Picador communications executive, to be advertised soon. 

Mary Mount, Publisher, Picador, said:

'Andrea and Sophie are such talented editors and publishers and it is a huge pleasure to work with them at Picador. They have made a great contribution to our success and I know that in these new roles they will only further strengthen the originality and boldness of our publishing. Alongside our fantastic Communications Director Emma Bravo, they will play a major role in the direction of Picador in the years ahead. I'm also delighted to congratulate Connor Hutchinson on his well-deserved promotion to senior publicity manager - his talent and commitment to our authors have been invaluable, and I'm excited to see the impact he'll continue to make in this new role.'

Andrea Henry, Non-Fiction Publisher, said: 

'In a literary non-fiction climate that’s generally recognised as challenging, Picador is bucking the trend and having a really terrific year. Sunday Times bestsellers include Sathnam Sanghera, Steve Brusatte and, of course, Patrick Radden Keefe, but we’ve also made some stellar acquisitions, including the new book from Dr Rachel Clarke and a punchy debut by Sophie Pender. This is quality, conversation-starting non-fiction that showcases the range of our publishing and promises an exciting time ahead. We now have a really strong team in place in non-fiction, and indeed across the board, and I’m delighted to be stepping up to help continue the success story.'

Sophie Jonathan, Fiction Publisher, said: 

'Picador’s 2026 fiction list has felt like an embarrassment of riches, with new books from Douglas Stuart, Sarah Moss, Hernan Diaz, Emily St. John Mandel and Tim Winton amongst others. I'm enormously proud of the way we grow our long-term authors and continue to attract established talent to the list, and also of our dedication to finding the best new voices – our future literary stars, and our 2027 debut programme is already setting up beautifully: you’ll be hearing an awful lot about Ony Ratsifandrihamanana’s A Long Ballad of a Short Marriage and CJ Green’s Record Lows alongside many others. The Picador fiction list seeks to speak to the world we live in, to bring readers voices that sing, and I couldn't be more excited about the publishing programme over the next few years - or that I get to be part of the team making it happen.'

Emma Bravo, Communications Director, Picador, said: 

'Connor is a strategic, thoughtful publicist with a real gift for serious non-fiction and translated fiction. His passion for driving social impact has seen him secure key non-traditional campaign coverage for Keon West's The Science of Racism and he worked closely with the National Year of Reading team during the campaign for Cottrell-Boyce's A British Childhood. I look forward to continuing to see him thrive in this exciting new role.'

Picador has also had a strong year in terms of awards recognition, with its authors being nominated for virtually every major UK prize: John of John shortlisted for the Booker Prize and the Orwell Prize; London Falling shortlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction; The Palm House by Gwendoline Riley longlisted for the Booker Prize. The Rouse by China Mieville shortlisted for the Goldsmiths Prize; A Private Man by Stephanie Sy-Quia shortlisted for the Waterstones Debut Prize and the Orwell Prize; The Science of Racism by Keon West shortlisted for five awards including a British Book Awards Book of the Year. 

The non-fiction and fiction editorial teams will report into Andrea and Sophie respectively. Connor will continue to report to Picador Head of Publicity, Kate Green.

¹+33.1% (TCM value) yoy (2026 vs. 2025)