Karen Sullivan, Founder & Publisher
Karen Sullivan was born in Canada, and moved to the UK at the age of twenty-one, ostensibly to travel around Europe. Unexpectedly landing her dream job in publishing, she settled in London and hasn’t looked back. After a few years working for an independent, starting as PA to the editorial director and eventually becoming commissioning editor, she left to raise her young family, working as a freelance editor and author of a wide range of non-fiction titles – predominantly relating to children’s health and wellbeing – and appearing on TV and radio. She returned to the ‘other side’ of publishing in 2013, taking on the role of managing editor for a small independent. This – and her own experience as an author – was the catalyst for founding Orenda Books, where author care and high-quality, culturally diverse, bold and original writing are paramount. Karen lives in London with her partner and two of her three sons, and remains a voracious reader and a passionate supporter of the book community. You can find Karen on Twitter @OrendaBooks.
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West Camel, Editorial Director & Production Manager
Born and bred in south London – and not the Somerset village with which he shares a name – West Camel worked as an editor in higher education and business before turning his attention to the arts and publishing. He has worked as a book and arts journalist, and was editor at Dalkey Archive Press, where he edited the Best European Fiction 2015 anthology, before moving to Orenda Books just after its launch. He currently combines his work as editor at Orenda Books with writing and editing a wide range of material for various arts organisations, including ghost-writing a New Adult novel and editing The Riveter magazine for the European Literature Network. He has also written several short scripts, which have been produced in London’s fringe theatres, and was longlisted for the Old Vic’s 12 playwrights project. West Camel is on Twitter @west_camel
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Cole Sullivan, Digital Sales & Marketing Manager
Born in South London, Cole worked at a local primary school for five years before studying Sport Business at Liverpool John Moores University as a mature student, graduating with a first-class degree in 2018. Cole never expected to end up in publishing, but he started taking on parts of the job as a student, to make ends meet, and carried on full time when he graduated. Cole loves creating visuals and book trailers, pitching for promotions, and overseeing digital and international sales. When he’s not behind his computer, he enjoys playing football and tennis, cycling and working out … and he’ll watch any form of sport, no matter what the hour. Favourite books include Michael Lewis’ The Blind Side, and his unashamedly guilty pleasure is the Shopaholic series.
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Amanda Sedaka, PR & Marketing executive
Amanda Sedaka joined Orenda Books in early 2026 after moving to London from Los Angeles. She previously studied Creative Writing at Hamilton College in upstate New York, where she developed her passion for storytelling. Amanda loves finding discovering creative ways to connect readers with new books and is always ready with a new book recommendation! Outside of work, Amanda enjoys writing, acting, performing stand-up comedy, and anything creative. She lives in South London with her partner and well-travelled (and much adored) cat, Carla.
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Mark Swan, Designer
I’m kid-ethic but my real name is Mark Swan. I’ve been as a graphic designer for over twenty years and have produced designs for many things, including album covers and film posters but book cover design is where my real passion lies. I have been with Team Orenda since the very first book and have had the pleasure of designing nearly all of the covers since. Thanks to Karen, I have also realised a lifelong dream to see my work in cake format. I’m on Twitter @Kidethic.
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Anne Cater, Blog Tour Co-ordinator
Anne Cater has been reading for as long as she can remember. She worked in the voluntary sector and the NHS for over thirty years and is now full-time self-employed; organising Blog Tours. She has worked with Orenda Books from Day One; reading and reviewing the books, and organising the mammoth monthly Blog Tours. She started her blog, Random Things Through My Letterbox, almost ten years ago. Anne reviews contemporary fiction for the Daily Express and is a judge for the CWA International (Translated) Dagger. She was a shadow panel judge for the Sunday Times Young Writer Award in 2020, and the British Book Awards (Nibbies) in 2021. Anne lives in Lincolnshire with her husband Martin and a small, very noisy cat called Costa. You can find her on Twitter @annecater.
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Liz Wilkins, Submissions Assistant
A lifelong reader, Liz began reviewing properly five years ago and is now a huge part of the UK publishing community. Submissions reader for Orenda Books by night, and Tesco colleague by day, she is never without at least three books on the go. Liz is on Twitter @Lizzy11268.
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Mary Picken, Twitter Fairy
Book lover and book blogger at LiveandDeadly.net, Mary is former Head of Communications, England, at the BBC, and now living happily among piles of fabulous books in Scotland. You’ll find her on Twitter @bethsy and on the official Orenda Books account on alternate days.
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