diana hill
Diana Hill began her publishing career as an editor, working at Rigby Publishers in Adelaide, Angus & Robertson and McGraw-Hill in Sydney, and Time-Life Books in London. From 1999 to 2011 she was editorial director and a publisher at Murdoch Books in Sydney.
After a brief stint as a freelance publishing consultant, she rejoined Murdoch Books/ Allen and Unwin in 2013 as a publisher. Diana has been publishing manager at Echo Publishing, an imprint of Bonnier Books UK, since 2022.
What is Diana looking for?
What is the minimum word-count your agency takes, or your publishing house requires?
65,000 minimum word count
What sub-genres or genres are you not looking for?
Paranormal; young adult; religious. Will look at literary romance writing Echo's focus is predominantly commercial.
Is there a genre or sub-genre you’re particularly keen to see?
Contemporary commercial; romantic suspense; gothic romance
What genre is your personal favourite?
Contemporary commercial
What is your major turn-off in a book?
Superficiality and glibness
What is likely to really knock your socks off besides an engaging voice and well-written book?
Originality, characters who come alive on the page, themes that resonate with readers, a distinctive authorial voice
Any advice to your potential pitchers?
Be clear on your book's genre, it's unique selling point and your target audience. What is the hook, the essence of your book - make your pitch succinct, strong and clear. Don't try to describe the plot from go to whoa, that is not how a publisher will gauge a book's interest. Try to relax and be yourself when pitching. Don't be nervous - you and the publisher have a love of words and stories in common.
Get to know Diana...
All-time favourite book?
Current favourite book?
If your life was a romance novel, what would the title be?
Heroes and Villains by Angela Carter (alternating with Moby Dick by Herman Melville...)
The Wrong Daughter by Dandy Smith
To All the Books I've Loved Before