Sphere is the dynamic, innovative, commercial heart of Little, Brown

Published with flair and passion, the Sphere fiction list encompasses all genres of popular fiction, including crime, thriller, romance, historical and general fiction. We are proud to work with many award-winning Sunday Times and international bestselling authors including Robert Galbraith, Colleen Hoover, J.K. Rowling, Mark Billingham, Val McDermid, Ali Hazelwood and Tom Clancy.

Our non-fiction programme brings together globally recognised names and leading brands across biography, memoir, entertainment, sport, music, health & fitness, food & drink, cookery, history, nature, true crime and more. Our list is home to bestselling authors and brands including Mitch Albom, Ozzy Osbourne, LadBaby, Lenny Kravitz, Björn Borg, Angela Harding, Ross Edgley, Mark Hoppus and The Great British Bake Off, with books that capture a cultural moment and reach millions.

At Sphere, commercial instinct meets creative ambition. We publish books that top charts, resonate all around the world and connect with readers everywhere.

Catherine Burke, Deputy Managing Director Little, Brown Book Group and Executive Publisher: Commercial

I am looking for blockbuster authors, creators, celebrities and influencers all with wide commercial appeal, which I can publish onto our Sphere Fiction and Sphere Non-Fiction lists. As Deputy Managing Director of Little, Brown Book Group, I work closely with our CEO, Charlie King, and members of our Executive team on overall company strategy and direction, as well as leading the Little, Brown Publishing Board. As Executive Publisher for Commercial, I oversee our Sphere Fiction, Sphere Non-Fiction and Orbit UK imprints and also our Little, Brown Book Group Design team, the Studio of Ideas.

Tilda Key, Sphere Fiction Publisher

I oversee the Sphere Fiction list, with a personal focus on acquiring and growing crime and thriller brands. In my time at Sphere I have published books by Colleen Hoover, Val McDermid, Patricia Cornwell and Clare Mackintosh, among many others. I love to discover writers with a strong understanding of their readership, inventive hooks and a distinctive take on their genre.

Jack Butler, Sphere Fiction Publishing Director

I publish fiction across crime and thriller, horror and romance, and also publish some of Sphere’s established brands such as Tom Clancy, Freida McFadden and Mitch Albom. I love discovering a fresh and distinctive voice, spiky and complicated characters, and writing with great flair and imagination.

Cal Kenny, Sphere Fiction Editorial Director

Molly Walker-Sharp, Sphere Fiction Editorial Director

I predominantly publish commercial fiction with romantic themes, from trope-led romances to heartbreaking love stories. Authors I work with include Ali Hazlewood, Elena Armas, Catherine Walsh, Nicholas Sparks, and Mandy Robotham. I’m a sucker for fresh, market-shaping ideas, big emotions, and unforgettable chemistry, all anchored by a hard-earned HEA. I’m particularly keen to work with writers who have built an audience and are ready to take it to the next level – whether self-published, fanfiction or seeking a new publishing home.

Elisha Lundin, Sphere Fiction Senior Commissioning Editor

I publish a wide range of commercial fiction, with a focus on growing our women’s fiction and romance list through bold hooks, big emotions and irresistible voices. I’m always chasing that all-consuming feeling on the page – from yearning and heartbreak to hard-won happy endings. At Sphere, I’ve acquired debuts including Tierney Page, Janisha Boswell and Emily Krempholtz, and publish long-standing authors such as Roberta Kray, Maggie Mason and Debbie Macomber. I’m drawn to authors who understand their readership and bring fresh, on-trend takes on beloved romance tropes, alongside upmarket stories of love in all its forms and standout, genre-blending ideas with crossover appeal.

Isabel Martin, Sphere Fiction Commissioning Editor

I predominantly publish crime and thriller, as well as some horror and supernatural fiction. I work with authors including Alex Gray, Jason Rekulak, Eliza Jabore and Lauren Ho, as well as supporting on the publishing of some of Sphere’s biggest brand authors. I’m drawn to inventive, distinctive hooks, complicated protagonists and a confident, compelling voice. I love stories that can move the genre along in a way that feels fresh and unexpected, and I’m intrigued by anything with a speculative or gothic twist.

Ifrah Ismail, Sphere Fiction Editor

I joined Sphere in January 2023, following a career developing playwrights as New Work Producer at Talawa Theatre Company. I began my literary career as a Literary Assistant at the Bush Theatre. Working across the fiction list, I have a particular passion for women‑led fiction, with a strong interest in thrillers, horror and romance. I am especially drawn to bold, high‑concept fiction with a sharp hook and dark humour led by complex female protagonists. I support on the publishing of Mark Billingham, Robert Galbraith, Sarah Pearse and Colleen Hoover.

Flo Winkley, Sphere Fiction and Non-Fiction Editorial Assistant

I joined Sphere after starting my career at an indie press in Cambridge and as a reader for film and TV literary scouting. My work spans fiction and non-fiction, from contributing editorially across genres to supporting on our global brand authors. My tastes are broad and I read widely for the team: in fiction I’m drawn to magnetic hooks, high-stakes thrillers and deeply felt romance. In non-fiction, I race through bracingly confessional memoirs, elevated true crime, narrative nature writing and books that demystify sports, music, art and politics. The submissions that stand out to me have voices with verve and accessible artistry.

Kelly Ellis, Publisher, Sphere Non-Fiction

I oversee a huge range of highly commercial adult non-fiction. An entertainment list at heart; we offer books for all kinds of readers across autobiography & biography, memoir, music, film/TV, history, cookery, lifestyle, sport, health & fitness, true crime, podcast and social media stars, comedy, gift and humour. I’ve published many household names including Celia Imrie, Joanna Page, Jon Richardson, Pamela Anderson and Matt Morsia. I am always looking for the NEXT BIG THING and I’m passionate about reaching non-traditional book buyers. As a former journalist, I am naturally drawn to intriguing, revealing untold true stories and I’m also a passionate music fan across many genres.

Tig Wallace, Publishing Director, Sphere Non-Fiction

I publish commercial non-fiction with accessible writing and easily pitchable, killer hooks. I’m always on the lookout for true crime, from potential mass market brands to ‘lifting the lid’ professional narratives; and for the political/current affairs end of the spectrum. I’m keen to hear from authors with an existing engaged audience: influencers writing in their area of expertise or traditional celebrity memoirs. I have an eye out for commercial nature publishing and accessible science books, and I’m eager to further develop our sports and music lists. Some of my recent authors include Björn Borg, Mark Hoppus, Sam Thompson & Pete Wicks, Emma Kenny, and LadBaby.

Zoë Osman, Editor, Sphere Non-Fiction

I work on the Sphere Non-Fiction list, publishing books with broad commercial appeal across celebrity memoir, biography, true crime, sport, comedy, cookery, fitness, history, and illustrated gift, as well as branded publishing such as Asterix and Great British Bake Off. I also acquire, with a particular interest in music, entertainment, and politics.