Osprey Group has acquired Duncan Baird Publishers, which focuses on illustrated books in the fields of food, health and well-being, mind, body and spirit, culture, religion and faith, including its Watkins Publishing unit (which Duncan Baird originally bought in 2004.) Duncan Baird’s total sales in 2011 were £5.5m while Osprey Group’s sales were £7m. “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Duncan Baird and Watkins into the group,” Osprey Group ceo Rebecca Smart said in a statement. “Duncan has created a really strong business in the growing lifestyle and transformation publishing areas and has also worked on strengthening the Watkins name. We plan […]
New Imprints
People, Etc.
Hachette Book Group’s Orbit division is adding a new imprint for commercial fiction, Redhook. Launching in April 2013 with Robert Lyndon’s historical epic set in the 11th century HAWK QUEST, they plan to start with one or two titles a month. The imprint will publish in all formats, including some digital-only titles. Orbit svp and publisher Tim Holman says in the announcement, “Redhook will help us grow the division and broaden our business and consumer relationships. Our highly focused acquisition strategy will be matched by original and individually tailored publishing strategies.” CEO David Young adds, “The creation of Redhook is […]
People, Etc.
Sri Lankan author Shehan Karunatilaka won the overall Commonwealth book prize for his debut novel–published as CHINAMAN in the UK, and issued last month by Graywolf in the US under the subtitle, THE LEGEND OF PRADEEP MATHEW. The Association of American Publishers (AAP) gave its Mary McNulty Award for Lifetime Service to Educational Publishing Award to svp of Pearson School Paul McFall. AAP president Tom Allen said, “Paul has been a tireless advocate for the US school publishing industry as well as the students and teachers we serve.” Husband of the late Clara Heyworth, Verso Books managing director Jacob Stevens […]
Tor to Launch DRM-Free eBookstore; F+W Adds Digital Romance Imprint and Zondervan Starts Digital Imprint, Too
In a lively presentation at Publishers Launch BEA on Monday, Macmillan evp digital publishing Fritz Foy announced that Tor/Forge will launch a DRM-free ebookstore this July. It will sell all 2,000+ ebooks from which the company is lifting DRM, and “eventually, offerings from other publishers as well.” While the company announced the decision to remove DRM in late April, Foy said it was “a decision we had been grappling with for four years,” ever since they promoted the launch of Tor.com books by giving away books from 24 authors DRM-free. Foy noted that readers have wanted the company to start […]
People, Awards, Etc.
US author Madeline Miller won the Orange Prize for her debut novel THE SONG OF ACHILLES, published by Ecco in the US and Bloomsbury UK. Chair of judges Joanna Trollope said: “This is a more than worthy winner — original, passionate, inventive and uplifting. Homer would be proud of her.” Executive director of PEN American Center since 2009 Steven L. Isenberg told the board that he will leave the position at the end of the year, providing notice now “to give ample time for the search for my successor and to ensure a smooth, effective transition. Isenberg will be 72 when […]
Publishers: U. of Missouri Press to Close; Page Celebrates “Legacy”; Penguin Launches A Pintail
University of Missouri president Tim Wolfe apparently surprised staff with the announcement Thursday that the UM Press will close. Started in 1958, it currently publishes about 30 titles a year, and has issued approximately 2,000 books since its founding. Wolfe said they “take seriously our role to be good stewards of public funds, to use those funds to achieve our strategic priorities and re-evaluate those activities that are not central to our core mission.” The Press has been receiving a $400,000 annual subsidy. A phase out of operations will begin this July. “Ten employees will be affected,” the Columbia Daily […]