London-based publisher Faber & Faber and the Perseus Books Group have entered into a partnership that will see Faber using Perseus’ digital technology to publish its books globally, in both print and digital.
Under the arrangement, Perseus’ client service business, Publishers Group West, will represent Faber’s titles in the U.S.
In February, Faber cut ties with Farrar, Straus and Giroux after 17 years (FSG published titles in the U.S. through Faber and Faber Inc). At the time, Stephen Page, chief executive of Faber said that the market for English-language publishing “has become increasingly global and digital, and it has become important for us, as a U.K.-based publisher, to be able to operate under our strong brand in all English language markets."
“Digital publishing and marketing has given independent publishers the power to reach consumers and sell books more effectively and affordably all over the world," said Page of the new agreement. "The U.S.A is the largest English language market and, while complex, it certainly offers opportunities to the U.K.’s excellent independent publishers. What we are building is a marketing and selling model for publishers with no editorial resource in the U.S.A. It’s a substantial opportunity and a response to global alignments for independents.”
Faber plans to hire dedicated marketing and publicity teams in the U.S., and will publish 60 new titles per year in the U.S., in addition to a backlist of more than 1,000 titles. The first Faber list will be published in the U.S. in spring 2016.
“The dream of integrated global print and electronic publishing is finally a reality," said David Steinberger, CEO of the Perseus Books Group. "We are gratified to be building on the success our joint venture to bring Faber’s extraordinary books to the United States and to offer this new global model to U.K. publishers.”
