Saqi Books has appointed Chip Rossetti as editor-at-large, a newly created role.
Rossetti brings more than 25 years of experience across trade and academic publishing to the Middle East specialist publisher. He served as editorial director at the Library of Arabic Literature at NYU Abu Dhabi, and held senior roles at the American University in Cairo Press and Basic Books. Rossetti holds a PhD in Arabic Literature from the University of Pennsylvania and is also a translator of contemporary Arabic fiction.
Rossetti said: “Saqi Books is a publisher whose work I have long admired and I’m delighted to be joining their team as editor-at-large. I am looking forward to acquiring the kinds of thoughtful, provocative books – about the Middle East and beyond – that are at the core of Saqi’s list.”
Lynn Gaspard, publisher and managing director at Saqi Books, said: “We are so pleased to welcome Chip to Saqi – his appointment marks an important moment for us. He re-establishes our presence in the US after more than a decade and brings with him a career spent at the intersection of Arabic literature and the anglophone reader. Chip will play a central role in shaping the next phase of our publishing as we continue to build our list – from the classical to the contemporary.”
The appointment follows a series of recent hires at Saqi, including those of Lorna Brogan as head of campaigns, Nam Cho as senior designer and Meena Ameen as editorial manager, as well as the promotion of Elizabeth Briggs to publishing director.
Saqi Books has been shortlisted at the Independent Publishing Awards 2026 for Trade Publisher of the Year and the Ola Gotkowska Young Independent Publisher Award. It is also a London finalist for Small Press of the Year at The British Book Awards.
