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Harper moves in on Friday Project

10.03.08 Philip Jones

Both co-founder Clare Christian and commercial director Scott Pack have declined to comment on a Telegraph report that web-to-print publisher The Friday Project is to be bought by HarperCollins after the business was put into administration one week ago. It had previously been in discussions with a number of publishers, including Pan Macmillan, over a possible sale of the business.

According to the Telegraph, HarperCollins intends to buy publishing rights to The Friday Project's book titles. It also plans to use the company's expertise in new media publishing to bolster its existing new media operations.

No-one from The Friday Project or HarperCollins is quoted in the Telegraph story. Writing on her blog, Girl Friday, co-founder Clare Christian said she was unable to comment, though she did headline the piece: "Journalist in Almost Accurate Reporting Shocker". She wrote: "I am still not allowed to comment on it (oh the joys of being back in a corporate environment). I am hoping to be able to get an official announcement out in the coming week but in the meantime I'm sorry I can't write more now."

Writing on his popular blog, Me and my Big Mouth, commercial director Scott Pack, wrote: "I am not deliberately avoiding the issue but neither am I permitted to comment till everything is sorted, hope you understand."

Founded in 2005 by Clare Christian and Paul Carr, with investment from Anthony Cheetham, TFP specialises in developing books from online content. Carr left in 2006, shortly after former Waterstone’s head buyer Pack joined as commercial director.

The Telegraph reports that documents filed at Companies House at the end of February, stated: "The group now has insufficient funds to continue to trade and the directors have a responsibility not to allow the group to incur further liabilities where there is significant uncertainty about the group's ability to meet their liabilities as they fall due."

Telegraph

HarperCollins Philip Jones Scott Pack Home Friday Project Clare Christian

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By im a tree

It is sad, as it seems likely, that TFP are in administration, not least because of the uncertainties for all of the staff but I was never entirely clear that TFPs USP of web based publishing was very different from the mainstream, or still poorer as they only seemed to pick up the blogs etc that others didn't want - it is RH and Penguin who published Girl with One Track Mind and Petite Anglaise. And the move into fiction seems odder still. I'm also not quite sure what HarperCollins would gain from the purchase - but let's hope there's a rescue.

10 Mar 08 13:58

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By Paul S

Is this what is known in the trade as a "pre-Pack" deal? Best wishes for a succesful outcome to all involved.

12 Mar 08 14:50

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