Penguin Random House will launch next year PRH South East Asia. The new publisher will be based in Singapore with a mandate to discover and publish local and international voices across English-language adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction formats for Singapore and Malaysia, as well as from Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brunei, and Myanmar. It will start with a list of about 50 titles a year. According to PRH, the establishment of PRH South East Asia marks the extension and expansion of its commitment to local publishing in Asia, which is currently represented by its Penguin Random House North Asia and Penguin Random House India companies.
Gaurav Shrinagesh, CEO PRH India and South East Asia, will oversee the new company, currently named Penguin Books Singapore. Nora Nazerene Abu Bakar, previously with Pearson Education SE Asia and Marshall Cavendish, will join the new company in November as executive editor. PRH said that “her network of relationships and keen knowledge of the region will be key in establishing a publishing presence for Penguin Random House in Southeast Asia.”
Markus Dohle, CEO of Penguin Random House, said: “This new trade publishing program with original books written by local authors is a natural extension and complement to the longstanding business we have selling adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction by our international authors into this vibrant market and community.”
Gaurav Shrinagesh said: “These are exciting times for book lovers, as publishing transcends geographies and languages to open access to literature from all over the world. Penguin Random House’s expansion into South East will broaden our audience reach and local consumer insights to create publishing opportunities to further develop our editorial portfolio by supporting local authors in emerging markets and building their audiences.”
