The Team

David Roth-Ey, Executive Publisher

Winner of the British Book Award’s Imprint of the Year in 2013 and shortlisted again in 2018 and 2020, 4th Estate publishes distinctive, critically acclaimed fiction and nonfiction from a diverse array of authors including Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Hilary Mantel, Jonathan Franzen, Valeria Luiselli, Lena Dunham, Craig Brown, Anna Jones and Nigel Slater. David looks after a small list of authors including Naomi Alderman, Joyce Carol Oates and Joseph O’Neill.

Prior to taking over as Executive Publisher in 2012, David served as Group Digital Director at HarperCollins UK in addition to publishing roles at HarperCollins US, Scribner, Bookspan and International Creative Management (ICM) in New York.

David’s administrative assistant is Victoria Pullen.

Louise Haines, Publishing Director

Louise concentrates on non-fiction publishing only but, in keeping with 4^th Estate’s long tradition of a wide-ranging, eclectic list, she commissions, for example, memoir, pop science, food, smart thinking, parenting and nature writing.  Her authors include: Angela Saini, Marcus du Sautoy, Hadley Freeman, Ben Goldacre, Matt Ridley, Dr Sander Van Linden, Nigel Slater, Anna Jones, Bee Wilson, Sali Hughes and Miranda Sawyer.

Louise’s editorial assistant is Victoria Pullen.

Michelle Kane, PR and Publishing Director

Michelle publishes a broad range of non-fiction by writers who have a significant social media platform: personal development, cultural commentary, memoir, music, food, feminism and more. Her list includes actor and writer Lena Dunham: writer, activist and actor Jameela Jamil, Vogue columnist Raven Smith, culture writer and speaker Otegha Uwagba, money expert Laura Whateley, rock legend Bernie Marsden, social media influencer Toni Tone and tech entrepreneur Tabitha Goldstaub.

Michelle has a background in publicity and her commissioning is informed by her knowledge of forthcoming trends in the media.

Michelle’s editorial assistant is Lola Downes.

Kishani Widyaratna, Publishing Director

Kishani is privileged to publish literary fiction and quality non-fiction at 4^th Estate. In fiction, she is drawn to stories that illuminate the world we live in, writers who push boundaries and exceptional writing that cuts through everything. In non-fiction, she is interested in writers who help us rethink the past, understand the present and imagine new futures. Kishani is committed to championing underrepresented voices and passionate about nurturing bold new writing talent. Her authors at 4^th Estate include Kasim Ali, Sarah Winman, Safiya Sinclair, Kayo Chingonyi, Daphne Palasi Andreades and Eloghosa Osunde.

Prior to joining 4^th Estate, Kishani was a commissioning editor at Picador Books where she acquired and published a range of award-winning and bestselling writers, including Sarah Moss, Raven Leilani, Olivia Laing, Jericho Brown, Andrea Lawlor, Mieko Kawakami, Rachel Long, Sinéad Gleeson, Jamaica Kincaid and Julia Armfield. Kishani is a board member of the literary magazine The White Review.

Kishani’s assistant editor is Eliza Plowden.

Katie Bowden, Editorial Director

Katie publishes commercial literary, book club and upmarket fiction and non-fiction at 4th Estate. She loves books that entertain, thrill, spark debate, reinvent genres in surprising ways and immerse readers in irresistible stories. She is seeking books that will be passionately passed between readers and everyone they know.

She is privileged to look after some of 4th Estate’s best loved and most successful authors, including Kate Elizabeth Russell, Naomi Alderman, Rachel Edwards, Frances Liardet and Virginia Feito. Katie’s background is in marketing at Picador Books and, prior to that, at Penguin Michael Joseph. Her commissioning at 4th Estate is informed by her vision for impactful, bestselling, talked-about publications.

Katie’s editorial assistant is Lola Downes.