Penguin Michael Joseph

Bestsellers are in our blood . . .

Michael Joseph, our founder, was already a bestselling author before he turned publisher in 1935 – the same year Penguin paperbacks arrived. He loved authors. In particular, Michael Joseph loved guiding them towards commercial success, bringing their brilliant stories to the wider world. In 1985, exactly half a century after their mutual founding, Michael Joseph became the commercial imprint of Penguin Books. Our founder’s legacy – the nurturing of writers and making of bestsellers – remains proudly in our blood to this day.

Our books

Penguin Michael Joseph publishes some of the world’s most popular authors. We specialise in women’s fiction, crime, thriller, cookery, memoir and lifestyle books. Many of our authors are now, or soon will be, household names, here in the UK and around the world. We seek out the very best authors in their field and bring their books to the widest possible audience. We take an author’s vision and turn it into a beautiful book people can’t help but talk about. In a crowded market, our books shine.

General fiction

Marian, Jojo, Liane, Lesley, Dawn, Stephen. Our novelists are recognised around the world as the finest storytellers anywhere. These are writers that readers come back to every year because, without fail, they tell entertaining, thrilling and, above all, enjoyable stories every single time. We sign up and launch only those debut novelists whose stories we believe the world will fall in love with. Whatever you’re interested in we have a bestselling author to spin you a bewitching tale.

Crime and Thriller fiction

Penguin Michael Joseph’s crime and thriller list is not stuffed with the usual suspects. Each and every one of our writers has their own unique – and sometimes maverick – take on their field. Whether it is historical epics or action-packed adventures, missing-person cases or twisty psychological thrillers, our bestselling authors strive to bring something new to the genre.

Cookery

Penguin Michael Joseph has been home to the country’s bestselling cookery writer – Jamie Oliver – for over twenty years. As he has grown in stature so our list has swelled to include the brightest, freshest chefs, food writers and dieticians, helping us all to create scrumptious treats as well as eat healthily, cater for big occasions or cook family meals that cost just a few pennies.

Lifestyle

When it comes to books about how we live, Penguin Michael Joseph has the best authors with the very best advice. Whether you’re seeking happiness through cleaning, wanting to feel energised and revitalised, looking for help with exercise or some style advice, or embarking on a full mindfulness regime, you’re only a few pages away from a healthier, happier you.

Memoir

It could be the secrets behind the success of the already famous or it could be a newly discovered tale – either way, we turn our authors’ memoirs into memorable bestsellers. We only seek out people who’ve got a real story to tell, one that we believe readers are dying to hear and we help our authors connect with their audiences, hosting events up and down the country, where they can meet legions of fans, old and new.

Meet our Managing Director

Penguin Michael Joseph Press Office

Contact for enquiries relating to titles from Penguin Michael Joseph.

PMJPublicity@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk