Griffin Trust Buys House of Anansi

Scott Griffin, founder and chairman of the Griffin Trust for Excellence in Poetry, and the management of House of Anansi Press have purchased the assets of House of Anansi Press Ltd., making it the first of the bankrupt General Publishing's companies to be sold.

"I hope that authors, booksellers, suppliers and government agencies will continue to support Anansi, as the company is in a solid position to focus on publishing and great writing," said Martha Sharpe, who will continue in the role of publisher at Anansi. Joining Anansi are Adrienne Leahey and Matt Williams. Leahey was formerly Anansi's editor, but will now be business director overseeing production, royalties, accounts, grants and selected editorial projects; Williams, formerly rights manager for Stoddart Publishing, will become Anansi's sales director overseeing worldwide sales and distribution. The company's management team said that with its new financing Anansi would pay authors' royalties and honor future commitments undertaken by the company.

Griffin, who will take an active interest in the company but will not assist in day-to-day operations, founded the Griffin Poetry Prize two years ago. Anansi will continue to submit its authors to the Griffin Poetry Prize and Griffin will exclude himself from the annual selection of judges for the prize and any of their deliberations.