Following preliminary reports in April, former Hachette Livre CEO Arnaud Nourry officially announced his new publishing venture, Les Nouveaux Editeurs. The company says it has a broad partnership with Simon & Schuster that includes a “first-look agreement for future editorial acquisitions, joining forces in some auctions and bidding together for series, licenses and other multi-book acquisitions.” S&S explains in a separate announcement, “Under the agreement, which includes adult, childrens, and illustrated/graphic titles, each company will have the first opportunity to acquire projects for its market which satisfy certain parameters and for which the other company has acquired world rights. The […]
New Imprints
Imprints: JVL to Collaborate with Amistad
Start-up JVL Media, founded by Viola Davis, Julius Tennon and Lavaille Lavette, will “join forces” with the Harper One Group to publish in association with the Amistad imprint. They anticipate publishing their first releases together in 2025. Harper One president and publisher Judith Curr says in the announcement, “Together, we aim to amplify authentic voices and untold stories that will resonate deeply with readers.” Tennon notes, “JVL Media transcends traditional publishing. We’re nurturing a literary culture that echoes the soul of our society and propels us into the future with stories that matter.”
Imprints: Harper Influence
Harper Group announced the launch of a new nonfiction imprint, Harper Influence, which will span “popular culture, from general lifestyle and entertainment to stories of survival and inspiration.” Senior vice president Lisa Sharkey will lead, with the first titles debuting in fall. Also acquiring for the imprint and working with Sharkey is editor Maddie Pillari. The imprint plans to release 15 titles a year. Sharkey says in a release, “I’m thrilled to launch Harper Influence and publish a list of compelling, innovative, and unique books across various nonfiction genres. It is my greatest honor to be able to lead this […]
Imprints: Headline Press
Headline Publishing Group in the UK is launching a new nonfiction imprint called Headline Press with a focus on politics, current affairs, history, personal development, popular science and memoir. Publisher Martin Redfern will lead, with senior commissioning editor Bianca Bexton, and assistant editor Holly Purdham also joining. The first title publishing this summer will be Power to the People by former Oxfam ceo Danny Sriskandarajah. Redfern says, “The launch of Headline Press is an exciting moment which provides clarity and identity to Headline’s serious non-fiction publishing. Headline’s guiding spirit is to publish books that people want to read, and combining these […]
Atria to Relaunch Washington Square Press
Atria Books will relaunch Washington Square Press in spring 2025 as a frontlist hardcover imprint of literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. The imprint will shift its focus from backlist to publish four to six new books per season. Atria’s editorial director Lindsay Sagnette will lead the imprint with the current editorial staff of Atria acquiring. Sagnette said in a release, “The reinvigorated Washington Square Press will champion exceptional works of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry that are essential to the conversations of today. Having a dedicated home for these talented authors is vital as we grow in our mission as a […]
Former Lagardere Publishing CEO Nourry Said to Prepare Launch of New Publisher
La Lettre (The Letter) in France recently ran an unconfirmed report that former Lagardere Publishing CEO Arnaud Nourry “is preparing his return in secret, three years after being brutally ousted from his chair.” Fired three years ago after speaking out in opposition to any splitting up of Hachette Livre or a sale to Editis”\ (back when the battle for control of Lagardere’s assets was still brewing), La Lettre says Nourry’s non-compete clause “expires in April”—at the end of the month, according to Le Point—and he “intends to take advantage of the restructuring of the editorial landscape brought about by Vivendi’s […]