Astra announced the launch of its children’s division, Astra Books for Young Readers, which will house one new imprint–Astra Young Readers–and five existing imprints: Calkins Creek, Hippo Park (Jill Davis’s newly-named imprint), Kane Press, mineditionUS, and Wordsong. Astra coo Ben Schrank said: “Astra Publishing House now has six very special children’s book imprints that cover books for all ages and children’s interests, from board books for babies and toddlers and picture books to nonfiction and history, poetry, middle-grade, and young adult books and so we felt it was time to identify and celebrate them with a new children’s book division: […]
New Imprints
Imprints: More PRH UK Lines to Publish Paperbacks As Penguins
At Penguin Random House UK, three paperback lines will publish under the Penguin brand and colophon in the future, to “leverage” the better-known brand. Transworld’s Black Swan and Corgi imprints and Cornerstone’s Arrow will all make the switch, the Bookseller reports. But it is a branding change only: “There are no internal structural implications to this development. Nor are any roles in the company affected by it.”
Harper Puts HMH Lines Into Four Imprints, Announces Layoffs
Harper Collins announced further details on Tuesday about their integration of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, organizing their titles into four imprints, and promising those lines will “see increased focus and investment, with the majority of acquiring editors remaining in place.” There were unspecified layoffs as well: “Some employees will be departing Harper Collins as a result of the changes, but the majority of HMH Books & Media employees were retained.” CEO Brian Murray said in the announcement, “I want to thank everyone involved in this transition for their professionalism and support over the last few months. We wish all our departing […]
Imprints: Zibby Books Launches
Podcaster/”book influencer” and author Zibby Owens is launching Zibby Books. Starting in January 2023, the line will publish 12 books a year, monthly, focused on accessible (“book club”) fiction and memoir, with distribution by Two Rivers. Former longtime publisher of Vintage/Anchor Anne Messitte is consulting publisher, and Catapult editor and co-founder of Black Balloon Leigh Newman is co-founder. Jaunique Sealey is vp of strategy & book club, and Maya Shanbhag Lang is vp of editorial & strategy. Aside from Messitte, the executive team are all authors. Zibby Books promises incentive programs to promote its books and support the community that does […]
Imprints: Rucci to Start Eponymous Line at Scribner
Simon & Schuster editor-in-chief Marysue Rucci will move over to Scribner on September 7, where she will lead a new Marysue Rucci Books imprint as vp, publisher and editor-in-chief. Her first books under the new imprint will be on the Summer 2022 list. Scribner publisher Nan Graham writes, “Her facility and flair as an editor of bestselling suspense, literary fiction, and memoir will complement and build upon areas of publishing in which Scribner has historically excelled. Marysue’s appointment also marks her return to the house where she worked as an editorial assistant and was crucial in Scribner’s acquisition of New […]
Acquisitions: PRH Buys 20 20 Editora, Forms New Division In Portugal
Penguin Random House has acquired the 20|20 Editora group in Portugal and will bring together all of its imprints there in a new entity, Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial Portugal. 20|20 founder Manuel de Freitas holds a 15 stake in the new company and serves as general director, reporting to Patxi Beascoa, with editorial continuing to be run by Clara Capitão. PRH ceo Markus Dohle says in the statement, “It is a privilege to expand the scope and strength of our editorial programs in Portugal, bringing together the catalogs of Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial and 20|20 Editora. Together, we […]