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Frances Lincoln turns to fiction

20.01.11 | Caroline Horn

Frances Lincoln Children’s Books is refocusing its list away from picture books towards more commercial fiction under the direction of new editorial director Maurice Lyon. Fiction output will nearly double to 20 titles this year while its picture book programme will be cut from 45 to around 25 titles.

Lyon said: "Frances Lincoln is known for specialising in multicultural picture books and fiction but we are aware that we need to position ourselves as a publisher for all readers, without loosing sight of our roots."

He added: "There are difficulties with the illustrated co-edition market, which our picture books rely on, so we need to be less dependent on foreign coedition markets." The libraries market is also expected to face declines in sales in 2011.

Frances Lincoln’s new fiction list will have more "trade appeal" said Lyon, while still appealing to librarians and teachers. It will cover age ranges from eight to 14 years. Among the key titles for 2011 are the Ministry of Pandemonium by Chris Westwood (March), a supernatural thriller (minus vampires), and Lia's Guide to winning the Lottery, about a girl who wins the lottery by Keren David, author of When I Was Joe.

Former editorial director Janetta Otter-Barry will continue to publish around 20 picture books and some illustrated non-fiction through her own list for FL.

• Caroline Horn
• fiction
• Frances Lincoln
• Independents