EMMA GRUNDY HAIGH
Editorial Director

Bookseller Rising Star 2022

I meandered in and out of academia before succumbing to the heady world of publishing. I’ve swerved into Man Booker Prize shortlists, illustrated children’s books and epic travel guides, but I’ve always kept my finger on the criminal pulse. I love unknotting plot lines, pushing villains to their furthest extreme and drawing out the weakness of the hero until they become strengths.

My favourite novel is the last one I finished, but is usually replaced by the one I am currently reading.

For Joffe Books, I am actively looking for well-crafted, twisty psychological thrillers, swirling cosy mysteries and gritty, unputdownable crime series featuring intelligent, tenacious female leads, and WWII romances with exceptional plot lines. For Choc Lit, I am very keen to see clever laugh-out-loud romcoms, beautifully woven historical sagas and emotionally savvy uplit, all of which promise to really capture a reader’s heart. I especially want to hear from writers traditionally underrepresented in mainstream publishing.

So just the moon on a stick.

JASMINE CALLAGHAN
Project Editor

Growing up, I had a fondness for watching and reading Agatha Christie, which has since developed into a weakness for Honkaku (Japanese murder

mysteries). While I absolutely can’t narrow down my favourite book to just one, I always find myself coming back to His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman and The Outsider by Albert Camus.

I do find it quite bittersweet that the ever-expanding nature of literature means that I’ll never be able to read all the books that I want to, but I’m delighted by the constant influx of new books and being trusted with the work of authors.

SASHA ALSBERG
Social Media Manager

I’ve been working in social media for over a decade, fuelled by my love for literature. I started a YouTube channel when I was fifteen, which amassed 350,000 followers over the years. I then took my passion for books to another level during my first year at university and published a sci-fi novel that became a #1 New York Times bestseller. Since then, I’ve published four YA novels with Harper Collins.

Having been on all sides of the publishing sphere, I have happily landed my dream job here at Joffe Books as the Social Media Manager.

My favourite novels are Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros and Outlander by Diana Gabaldon — both of which I highly recommend.

ABBIE DODSON-SHANKS
Publishing Assistant

I studied Graphic Design at university, where my creative practice focused on the design and production of books through an editorial lens. This sparked my interest in the experience that we have with books, how a reader engages with media, form and language, and has naturally led me to pursue a career in publishing. I am delighted to be a member of the Choc Lit team at Joffe Books!I love receiving books recommendations, to share and connect with people through our best loved stories. My favourite books include The Dictionary of Lost Words, The Book Thief and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.