The Bookseller.com

17th May 2008

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Octopus to launch in the US

05.03.08 Tom Tivnan

Octopus is launching in the US next year with a 150-strong list of titles, as the Hachette Livre UK subsidiary aims to become "a truly global publisher".

Octopus Books USA will roll out its first titles in January 2009. The bulk of the content will be generated in the UK, with the US side repackaging and marketing the list for an American audience. Octopus will no longer publish co-editions with American publishers.

The US business will be headed by Jonathan Stolper and based in Hachette Book Group USA's New York offices. Stolper, who moves from a position as vice president of client services at HBGUSA, will report directly to Octopus deputy c.e.o. Andrew Welham. The company will employ four members of staff in its start-up year.

Octopus has been distributed in the US by Sterling Publishing. Sterling will continue to distribute Octopus titles for the remainder of 2008. HBGUSA will handle all sales and distribution for the list in the USA with Canadian Manda handling sales in Canada.

The initial US list will include titles from English celebrity chef Marco Pierre White, timed to be released with a series on American television, the US launch of the Hamlyn All-Colour guides and a new gardening series from Mitchell Beazley. All Octopus imprints will be published into the US.

Stolper said: "I have worked in illustrated books for some time and I am incredibly excited at the prospect of marrying Octopus Publishing Group's smart and diverse list with Hachette Book Group USA's best-in-class operation. We will reach untapped channels of distribution and be able to market and publicize the Octopus imprints in new and different ways which is a wonderful opportunity for Octopus and Hachette and also for our booksellers across the country."

Alison Goff, Octopus c.e.o., added: "This exciting move will allow Octopus to become a truly global publisher and gives us an even stronger presence in the world’s largest book market. We will benefit from locally based US input into our publishing plans and we’re very much looking forward to working with our colleagues at our sister company Hachette Book Group USA. This is a strategic move for us but I must pay thanks to Sterling and our co-edition partners for the vigour and professionalism with which they have sold such a large proportion of our list for so many years."

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