emma gannon

Emma’s debut novel, OLIVE (2020), was longlisted for the Dublin Literary Award. It was called “a smart debut novel” by the Irish Times; “incredibly warm and loveable” by Bustle; “an accessible, highly engaging novel” by Marian Keyes and “thoughtful, searching, honest” by Elizabeth Gilbert.

Her most recent novel, Table for One (2025), was selected as Fiction of the Week by People magazine. In non-fiction, she is the author of The Multi-Hyphen Method (2018), an instant Sunday Times business bestseller offering guidance for those forging portfolio careers; Sabotage (2020); Disconnected (2022); and The Success Myth (2023), endorsed by Martha Beck, Alain de Botton, and Seth Godin.

Her reflective memoir A Year of Nothing (2024) sold thousands of copies within weeks with The Pound Project and garnered attention from BBC, Woman’s Hour, The Guardian, ELLE, and international media. It is set to be re-released in 2026 with Whitefox Publishing.

Emma currently writes The Hyphen newsletter, a top 10 UK Substack newsletter exploring creativity, ideas, and modern life, and became one of the first in the UK to build a six-figure paid subscription business.

Emma began her career in journalism, contributing to The Sunday Times, Condé Nast, and The Debrief, where she honed her storytelling and editorial craft. In 2016, she launched the podcast Ctrl Alt Delete, a WEBBY-nominated series in which she interviewed creatives and innovators about the internet, work, and culture, reaching over 13 million listeners worldwide. That same year, she secured her first book deal and was featured in Microsoft’s TV campaign showcasing the modern multi-hyphenate.

Recognized for her influence and thought leadership, Emma has been featured in Forbes’ 30 Under 30, named by The Telegraph’s 35 Under 35, and highlighted by The Guardian for her top literature newsletter. She continues to inspire audiences to embrace curiosity, literary exploration, and living a creative life.

She regularly shares her insights through teaching and speaking at cultural institutions such as the Southbank Centre, TEDx, Arvon, the Oxford Union, and SXSW, while occasionally collaborating on creative campaigns with global brands.

“One of the most prominent Substack writers in the UK” — The Times

“The most popular UK novelist on Substack” — The Bookseller

“A bright light and a shining star, and in many ways the voice of a generation.”
— Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat Pray Love/Big Magic

“Read her, listen to her, explore her world and the world at large through her eyes. Hers is a journey well worth taking.”
— Julia Cameron, The Artist's Way

“I love Emma Gannon's wise and refreshing perspective on work and building a meaningful life.”
— Oliver Burkeman, Four Thousand Weeks

Press