Former Bonnier Books executives Kate Parkin and Margaret Stead have founded Firefinch, a London-based independent publisher set to launch in June 2026 with six titles. Both publishers recently departed the U.K.-based Bonnier, with Parkin leaving at the end of 2022 and Stead at the beginning of 2024.
The new publishing house has secured deals with several big names for its launch list, including The Tattooist of Auschwitz author Heather Morris and The Beekeeper of Aleppo author Christy Lefteri. Both writers previously worked with Parkin and Stead at Bonnier. Additional authors joining the list include Anya Bergman (Witches of Vardø), Jonathan Black (The Secret History of the World), and Kate London (The Tower quartet). Details about the inaugural slate have not yet been announced.
Parkin, formerly managing director of the adult publishing division at Bonnier Books UK, serves as managing director of Firefinch while Stead, formerly publisher at Bonnier, holds the executive director position. Blake Brooks, formerly at Bonnier Books UK, joins as audience development director.
In a release, the company described its approach as creating "a nimble and collaborative space in which author and publisher work together."
Parkin added in a statement: "Publishing is all about networks and relationships and to be given the chance to start a new publishing house with a trusted group of friends and colleagues is truly exciting."
