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 assistant editor 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 assistant editor is Lola Downes.

Kishani Widyaratna, Publishing Director

Kishani publishes literary fiction, crossover fiction, translation and agenda-setting non-fiction at 4th Estate. In non-fiction, she is interested in authors who help us rethink the past, understand the present and imagine new futures. In fiction, she’s always keen to encounter a new voice she hasn’t read before and is drawn to stories that illuminate what it is to be human and be in the world, writers who push boundaries and exceptional writing that cuts through everything. Her list at 4th Estate includes Yiyun Li, Alan Garner, Maaza Mengiste, Sarah Winman, Alia Trabucco Zerán, Monica Heisey, Jon McGregor, Safiya Sinclair, Kayo Chingonyi, Yomi Adegoke, Jonathan Escoffery, Jia Tolentino, Valeria Luiselli, Asako Yuzuki, Julia Armfield, Miriam Toews, Caleb Femi, Missouri Williams, K Patrick, Eley Williams and Cecile Pin.

Prior to joining 4th Estate, Kishani commissioned at Picador Books where her list included Sarah Moss, Raven Leilani, Jamaica Kincaid, Mieko Kawakami, Andrea Lawlor, Olivia Laing, Sarah Manguso and Sinéad Gleeson. She was named one of the 25 most influential women of 2022 by British Vogue and won Editor of the Year at the 2024 British Book Awards.

Katie Bowden, Editorial Director

Katie publishes crossover, 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 captivating stories. She is seeking books that will be passionately passed between readers and everyone they know.

Katie’s authors at 4^th Estate include Coco Mellors, Jennette McCurdy, Lucy Barker, Elizabeth McKenzie, Kate Young, Oisín McKenna, Hester Musson, Virginia Feito and Kate Elizabeth Russell. 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 assistant editor is Lola Downes.