08
NEWS REVIEW
07.07.17
www.thebookseller.com
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FINANCIAL RESULTS
RIGHTS DEALS
CRIME DÉBUT GOES TO SPHERE Sphere has signed début thriller writer Vanessa Savage in two-book deal for a six-figure sum. The first title in the deal, The Murder House,
will publish in early 2019 as a lead title for the publisher, which said it combines “haunting” atmosphere with “breathtaking tension” in its portrayal of a family in crisis. Commissioning editor Lucy Dauman bought world English-language rights to the pair at auction from Juliet Mushens, co- founder of Caskie Mushens. The deal was done jointly with Millicent Bennett, executive editor at Grand Central Publishing in the US.
RED BIRDS FLOCK TO BLOOMSBURY Bloomsbury is to publish Red Birds, the new novel by Mohammed Hanif, in September 2018. Faiza Khan, editorial director of
Bloomsbury India, and Alexandra Pringle, group editor-in-chief at Bloomsbury, bought UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) from Clare Alexander at Aitken Alexander Associates. Alexander said: “Representing Hanif’s writing has always been a joy and a privilege. Behind its dark comic absurdity of tone, Red Birds tells deep and important truths about our crazy contemporary world.”
AVON SIGNS UP BOOKOUTURE’S SHERRATT
HarperCollins imprint Avon has signed a two-book deal with Mel Sherratt for a six-figure sum; as a consequence, the
author will depart digital publisher Bookouture. Helen Huthwaite, Avon publishing director, acquired world English-language rights from Madeleine Milburn of the Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV & Film Agency following a “heated auction”. Sherratt self-published the DS Allie Shenton series, and has published 10 novels since 2012. The first in Sherratt’s new crime series featuring DS Grace Allendale, The Dead Secrets, is set in the author’s home town of Stoke-on- Trent. It will be published in 2018.
OUP posts rise in turnover after emerging market growth
Oxford University Press has reported turnover up 3.3%, to £847.4m, on a like-for-like basis at constant currency rates for the year ending 31st March 2017. The publisher’s trading surplus rose 14% on that basis, to £124m. With the effects of foreign exchange and the
weakened pound factored in, headline growth stood at 11%, with the trading surplus up by 24%. Last year, OUP’s turnover rose 1.7%, while profits
dropped 8%, to £102m. The latest results were attributed to underlying growth across both the academic and educational businesses, and a return to double-digit growth (11%) in emerging markets, fuelled by strong school sales. The academic division saw turnover rise 2.4%, with the academic books business showing an unspecified “return to growth”. ELT figures were not broken out, but the education divisions together (ELT plus schools) achieved a turnover rise of 3.7%, supported by curriculum changes in several key markets, including the UK.
Among emerging markets, the countries showing
particularly strong growth rates were China and India. C.e.o. Nigel Portwood pictured described it as
“a good year right across the business, despite challenging market conditions”. He told The Bookseller that the period had been “better than expected. We really are pleased,” he added. “It’s hard to compare with our competitors, but we think overall we’ve done very well. Our team did a great job.”
Curtis Brown completes Ed Victor Ltd buyout
Curtis Brown (CB) has bought Ed Victor Ltd (EVL), following the passing of agent Ed Victor, aged 78, last month. The shareholders of EVL agreed terms to move their business to CB, with all rights to be handled by the latter with immediate effect. EVL’s client list includes former prime minister David Cameron, Andrew Marr, Nigella Lawson and Sophie Dahl, among others. According to Victor’s widow Carol Victor, the sale of the agency to CB was Victor’s wish. Victor was represented by CB’s Jonathan Lloyd when he published The Obvious Diet with Vermilion in 2013,
Digital innovation was an important focus for the
year, with OUP launching its new academic platform (via Silverchair Information Systems) set to host all its academic online content, as well as developing an assessment platform for the ELT business, and working with Emerge Education on EdTech initiatives. Open Access remains “at the top of the conversation in academic publishing”, Portwood noted. “OUP has done a good job—15% of all articles are Open Access and we have over 40 Open Access journals. [However] there are many players in the market, and we have to stay focused.”
as Lloyd recently recalled in an obituary for The Bookseller. Jonny Geller, joint c.e.o. of CB, said: “I was a huge admirer of Ed and when it became clear that Carol and Ed Victor Ltd wanted a home for his wonderful authors, we were very honoured to be invited to offer. We are excited to work with the writers and artists who made Ed Victor Ltd such a huge success for the past 40 years. We may never replace Ed, but we will protect his legacy and provide the best possible service to these world- class authors.” Asked about the future for EVL staff, a CB
spokesperson said: “Ed Victor Ltd will continue in its current form while the transaction is concluded. This will enable CB to properly meet all of the EVL staff and discuss with them one to one the opportunities available to them within CB and its related businesses.”
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