The trends we noted in our recent analysis of third quarter deal reports — fewer overall reports, growing totals for adult fiction, but record numbers of “major” deals — come into concentrated relief as we narrow down into the traditional “pre-Frankfurt” dealmaking window in particular. Since 2021, the Frankfurt Book Fair has fallen a week later than usual, yet again our counts include one extra day of deal reports — but that makes for even comps to 2022 and 2021. For many years, FBF would come five weeks after Labor Day, so our count usually covers five weeks plus one […]
International News
Malaysian and Indonesian Publishers Withdraw from Frankfurt Book Fair
Two more organizations have pulled out of the Frankfurt Book Fair, following FBF director Juergen Boos’ statements that FBF “stands with full solidarity on the side of Israel” and will “make Jewish and Israeli voices especially visible.” On Monday, the Indonesian Publishers Association (Ikapi) withdrew their participation from the event. “The Frankfurt Book Festival organizers’ decision to only support and provide a platform to Israel has undermined the ideals of dialogue and efforts to build mutual understanding between countries,” Ikapi chair Arys Hilman said in a statement. Today, Malaysia’s education ministry also dropped out of the fair. “The ministry will not […]
Acquisitions: PRH UK Buys Hardie Grant UK
Penguin Random House UK has acquired Hardie Grant UK. Hardie Grant’s two imprints, Hardie Grant UK and Quadrille, will continue operating and report to Ebury managing director Joel Rickett. Managing director Stephen King will leave at the end of 2023 and finance director David Ersapah will depart in July 2024. The Bookseller reports that there are no other plans for layoffs. At Hardie Grant, there will be no changes to the company in other territories. In a release, PRH UK ceo Tom Weldon said, “We are excited about the impact of adding Hardie Grant UK to Penguin Random House and […]
Imprints: Bonnier Books UK Adds Children’s Line
Bonnier Books UK will launch the nonfiction children’s imprint Hatch Press in January 2024, planning to publish about 30 titles a year. The line, focused on “hands-on learning, and art and activity titles for fledgling readers between 3-12 years old,” is led by Kieran Hood. The imprint is based on republished editions of the backlist of Salariya, the rights to which Bonnier acquired last November after the publisher was liquidated.
Klopotek Sells Majority Stake to Aspire Software Owner
ERP solutions company Klopotek has sold a majority stake in their business to Canada-based Valsoft, whose holdings include Aspire Software. Founder and ceo Ulrich Klopotek von Glowczewski will “step down from all his roles effective immediately due to personal reasons.” CTO and co-ceo Peter Karwowski will take over as ceo. Operating partner of Aspire Software Rafael Mazzeo says in the announcement, “The acquisition of Klopotek aligns seamlessly with their mission to remain at the forefront of the publishing technology domain, equipping publishers with advanced tools and solutions to navigate the evolving landscape successfully. The world class management team at Klopotek […]
Sandstone Press Sold in Liquidation to Vertebrate
Scottish publisher Sandstone Press went into bankruptcy liquidation earlier this week, with its assets offered for sale by Hilco Valuation Services. The assets of the fiction-focused publisher have been acquired by Vertebrate, an adventure publisher, the Bookseller reports. Vertebrate hopes to retain ongoing rights to the list of about 230 titles, though at least one agent indicates to the Bookseller she has asked for a reversion of her author’s rights.