BookExpo America 2009: Oneworld to Open New York Office, Expand Into Fiction

By Lynn Andriani -- Publishers Weekly, 5/30/2009 9:56:00 AM

Oxford, U.K., independent publisher Oneworld Publications will open its first North American office in New York in July. Distribution in the territory will continue through National Book Network.

Editorial director Juliet Mabey said, “America is now our largest single market, and with so many of our authors based over here, opening an office in New York is the obvious step. She said establishing an office in North America will help Oneworld strengthen its presence here and acquire more American titles.

Oneworld has hired a publicist to manage a list of some 60 titles a year, and is interviewing acquisition editors at BEA, hoping to expand its U.S. staff over the summer.

Mabey and her husband, Novin Doostdar, founded Oneworld in 1986, focusing on non-fiction across the humanities. The house is launching its first fiction list this summer, focusing on diverse cultures and historical events. Mabey said, “Some issues, like the Israel-Palestine conflict, or slavery—both of which we have covered with strong non-fiction titles by leading experts—are much easier to get across in fiction.” 

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