and nature”. International titles are also “a huge growth area”, with Topiwala expand- ing: “We know these kinds of books can translate well into other markets, especially if it’s a big idea and a really top expert.” Bat highlights Israeli professor Ruth Feldman, author of 2026’s Synchronized: The Science of How and Why We Bond, whose studies were the first to detail the role of oxytocin in form- ing human social bonds. “She’s someone who we think is going to be able to speak to an international audience on a subject that’s universal.”
in 2024 I think there is still this perception that an expert is a man. We’ve been excited to see the work that the Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction has been doing, and we know from their research that women are less likely to get prize and press atention. At Hodder Press, we’re really passionate about trying to redress that balance.” She continues: “It’s about readers as well. Historically, there’s probably been the perception that it’s men who read these serious books, and we just know that’s not the case.” Though this year’s list is equally split in terms of the gender of authors, 2025’s is “ever so slightly a majorit female list”, which Bat deems “unusual, looking at our competitors”. Topiwala goes on to say: “It is actually unusual to have two women running an imprint like this, and inevitably, we’re led by our own passions and interests.” As such, the list has ended up “spliting quite clearly into science and big ideas, history,
TheBookseller.com
Historically, there’s probably been the perception that it’s men who read these serious books, and we know that’s not the case
Kirty Topiwala, executive publisher
Other titles that the pair are excited for include Oxford Assyriologist Moudhy Al-Rashid’s “surprising” history of Mesopotamia, Between Two Rivers (out next February); The Buried Cit (22nd May 2025), a “very accessible, quite personal” book about Pompeii by archaeologist and director of the site, Gabriel Zuchtriegel; and Finding Albion (March 2026), which sees broadcaster Zakia Sewell journey around Britain to explore its ancient and modern folk culture. A “huge priorit” for next autumn, according to Topiwala, is Wharton business economics professor Corinne Low’s Femonomics, which examines the hidden economic trade-offs women face balancing career and family, because “it really speaks to our core values”. Despite being based in different locations—Topiwala in London and Bat in Bristol—they work “very closely and collaboratively”, with Bat joking: “We’re in each other’s brains a lot.” While they are the main commissioners, any of Hodder & Stoughton’s non-fiction editors can acquire for Hodder Press and a broad team works on marketing and publicising its books. “That’s very deliberate,” Topiwala tells me, “because one of the real strengths of Hodder is that we’ve got that amazing breadth. Ideally what we want is to have that literary expertise, but the real commer- cial engine of Hodder behind these books as well. We’ve invested in the comms teams, so it feels like a good time to launch these books with all that firepower.” Looking ahead, the duo intends to keep the list “small and focused” with around 10 releases a year. Topiwala explains: “We want to put a lot of effort and work into these books. We edit them very carefully; there’s a lot of honing and sharpening.” Whatever lies ahead for the imprint, Bat and Topiwala’s core editorial strategy is clear: “Finding a brilliant specialist that really has something to say and working with them closely on saying it in the best possible way”.
07
Hodder Press’ top titles for Frankfurt
Between Two Rivers: Ancient Mesopotamia and the Birth of History Moudhy Al-Rashid Contact: Melis Dagoglu, head of rights, Hodder Rights: World; sold into US, Korea
The Age of Diagnosis: Sickness, Health and Why Medicine Has Gone Too Far Suzanne O’Sullivan Contact: Melis Dagoglu Rights: World; sold in US, Poland, Korea
Thinking Sideways: How To Think Like a Chess Player Jennifer Shahade (pictured below) Contact: Melis Dagoglu Rights: World
Chain Reaction: A Journey into the Chemistry that Shapes Us Ijeoma Uchegbu Contact: Melis Dagoglu Rights: World; sold into US, Spain, Romania, China (simplified)
How We Think: Ten Ways Society Shapes Our Minds Marius Ostrowski Contact: Melis Dagoglu Rights: World English
© Timothy Carlier/Maria Emelianova
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