Diamond Shines

by Judith Rosen -- Publishers Weekly, 2/28/2005

Diamond Book Distributors expects to see its U.S. sales increase 17% for 2004, according to Kuo-Yu Liang, v-p of sales and marketing. To keep its sales shining bright this year, Diamond continues to add new and established graphic novel publishers. It has recently signed book-trade agreements with Airship Entertainment/ Studio Foglio, which publishes comics artists Phil and Kaja Foglio; U.K.-based indie publisher APComics, founded by Richard Emms and Phil Littler, which will publish original graphic novels based on bestselling children's books; Alternative Comics, which it will represent in the U.K. and international markets as well as the U.S.; three-year-old Archaia Studios Press, founded by Mark Smylie; and Dabel Brothers Productions, which adapted George R.R. Martin's The Hedge Knight. Digital Manga extended its original agreement with Diamond to include more manga/yaoi titles, as well as the successful Let's Draw Manga series. Other new clients include Graphitti Designs, which specializes in limited edition hardcovers; DrMaster, which translates Japanese and Hong Kong graphic novels for an American audience; Eros Comix, an imprint of Fantagraphics Books, which specializes in adult material; and Toronto-based Speakeasy Comics, founded last year by Adam Fortier.