25/09/2026
'As publishers we usually spend most of our time talking about our books and authors, and that's as it should be. But on the occasion of recently sending our last book of the year to print, I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight some of the behind-the-scenes heroes who do incredible work to make the books and get people talking about them.
In editorial and production, we have publisher Djinn von Noorden, who is endlessly generous with her time and is an extraordinary editor through whose keen eye and wisdom enhance every manuscript she touches. Production manager Cassia Gaden Gilmartin brings both diligence and creative flair to make sure every book is beautifully produced, on time, on budget, as well as catching errors in her careful proofreads and edits.
In marketing and publicity, Des Doyle and Holly Hunt work tirelessly to promote our books, through traditional media, social media and thoughtfully curated events. Anyone who attended our Art of the Memoir panel events in partnership with Dublin UNESCO City of Literature has Des to thank for conceiving and arranging such a wonderful day, while our assistant, Holly, has really stepped up this autumn to support him and the rest of the team.
Finally, money makes the world go round - where would we be without the administrative excellence of our accounts manager Mary Deegan, who makes sure everyone gets paid on time and Michael Darcy and Emily Farrell for their constant engagement with booksellers on our behalf.
As managing director, I work across all areas of the business and while the work can often be heavy, there's no one I'd rather be in the trenches with than this lot. They make every day go fast and lighten every load. Here's to a successful autumn and many more books in 2027.'
