Three former executives with Canada's D&M Publishing have launched a new company focused on illustrated books called Figure 1 Publishing. The move comes after D&M, one of Canada's largest independents, filed for bankruptcy in the fall. Figure 1 founders Chris Labonté, Peter Cocking and Richard Nadeau will be publishing in print and digital formats, and will use a hybrid business model under which individuals and organizations will pay for production and Figure 1 will take on editing, marketing, and distribution functions.

Nadeua said the focus will be working with institutions, organizations, and businesses and that Figure 1 will be looking to do co-publishing ventures. "We are also not ruling out forays into more traditional trade publishing arrangements, though that would be a small part of what we do," he said." New digital initiatives are also on our agenda and we’ll look at partnering on projects with other media companies." Nadeau said terms will be based on standard trade royalty rates, "though that can vary according to other aspects of the agreement and the trade sales potential of the book."

Speaking to the new venture, Cocking said the trio is hoping to create what will become "the premier publisher of high quality illustrated books in the country" in the areas of art & architecture; food and wine; lifestyle; illustrated history; and business. Figure 1 will be distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books, and is currently looking for a distributor in the U.S., and outside North America.

Figure is planning on releasing its first list in fall 2013.

is operating under a different business model than a traditional publisher. Authors or organizations will pay the costs of production themselves and Figure 1 Publishing will look after editing, design, distribution, sales and marketing of the books they publish. Sales revenues will go to both Figure 1 and the author or organization, Nadeau said, adding that the model is a hybrid between trade publishing and vanity publishing. - See more at: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Three+former+managers+bookish+with+hybrid+business/8022099/story.html#sthash.m9xTd4U6.dpuf

s operating under a different business model than a traditional publisher. Authors or organizations will pay the costs of production themselves and Figure 1 Publishing will look after editing, design, distribution, sales and marketing of the books they publish. Sales revenues will go to both Figure 1 and the author or organization, Nadeau said, adding that the model is a hybrid between trade publishing and vanity publishing. - See more at: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Three+former+managers+bookish+with+hybrid+business/8022099/story.html#sthash.m9xTd4U6.dpuf

s operating under a different business model than a traditional publisher. Authors or organizations will pay the costs of production themselves and Figure 1 Publishing will look after editing, design, distribution, sales and marketing of the books they publish. Sales revenues will go to both Figure 1 and the author or organization, Nadeau said, adding that the model is a hybrid between trade publishing and vanity publishing. - See more at: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Three+former+managers+bookish+with+hybrid+business/8022099/story.html#sthash.m9xTd4U6.dpuf