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Legend picks up PaperBooks

03.04.08 Tom Tivnan

Independent publisher Legend Press has acquired recent start-up PaperBooks. The deal was financed with a minimum upfront amount, to be followed by staggered payments over the next few years, which Legend founder Tom Chalmers said "could add up to a healthy sum".

Legend, founded in 2005, will continue to run PaperBooks as a separate entity. Chalmers plans to ramp up the publishing programme at PaperBooks, with 10 titles due for release in 2009, rising to 20 by 2011. Both Legend and PaperBooks will continue to focus primarily on fiction.

Chalmers said: "It is a great fit for us. When PaperBooks started I thought they were really like us, with a similar ethos and aims. The plan is to keep the brands separate and let them grow by themselves. I have always thought that the best way for smaller indies to get our voices heard and make more of an impact in the trade is to band together and pool resources."

PaperBooks was set up in 2006 by Keirsten Clark and has thus far published seven books, including Jessica Gregson's The Angel Makers and Jon Haylett's Royal Society of Literature prize-winner Cry of the Justice Bird.

Clark is to focus full time on her online writing consultancy business, writing.co.uk, which assists unpublished authors. PaperBooks' other full-time member of staff will move to writing.co.uk, and Chalmers will hire someone to run PaperBooks, who will report to him.

Clark said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for PaperBooks and couldn't have come at a better time in the development of the company and the authors' careers."

tom tivnan Independents Legend Press PaperBooks

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By Walter Ellis

I submitted two novels to Legend last autumn and received automated confirmation of their receipt. On December 12, following an email from me asking what was happening, I received a response from "Emma," who told me she understood my frustration and assured me that they would be getting back to me "as soon as we can." Since then ... nothing. My guess is that if they'd loved my submissions, they'd have been all over me like a rash. Instead, they haven't even had the courtesy to send me a rejection. Do I wish them well as they expand their remit? I leave it to you, dear readers, to divine my state of mind.

03 Apr 08 19:56

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By Tom Chalmers

Thanks for the comment Walter. Afraid that one aspect of growing quickly is that we're been overrun with submissions. This is great and unlike many we want to remain as open as possible for general submission and also try to be as communicative as possible, hence the reply from 'Emma'. However, we are a small team and only human so writers will have to bear with us as we try our very best to get back as soon as possible. I've just checked with Lucy and we have your submission on our database and ready to read. I certainly wish you the best with your writing career! Tom

04 Apr 08 11:05

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By Walter Ellis

Thank you. It is agreed, then, I await your rejection and shall expect it by Michelmas.

04 Apr 08 14:36

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By Tom Chalmers

Yes Walter, that is looking increasingly likely! Best wishes, Tom

04 Apr 08 15:31

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