Joffe Books has agreed to acquire Severn House, the genre fiction imprint focused on the U.S. library market, from Canongate Books, the three U.K.-based companies announced Monday.

The acquisition builds on a five-year copublishing partnership between Joffe and Canongate that has sold almost two million ebooks, with Joffe relaunching digital editions of multiple Severn House backlist titles. Severn House, which Canongate acquired in 2017, has been led since 2021 by publisher Joanne Grant, who succeeded Kate Lyall Grant.

"Our close partnership with Joffe Books has enabled us to see first hand how successfully they publish," Canongate CEO Jamie Byng said. "That Joffe is a like-minded independent publisher, one who cares as passionately about its authors and staff as we do, was hugely important to us."

Byng said Severn House "has made a very positive contribution to Canongate these past eight years but it still feels like this sale makes sense for all parties involved, not least the Severn House authors and staff who we believe will benefit from being part of Joffe's industry leading digital business."

Joffe CEO Jasper Joffe said the acquisition allows his company to combine digital strength with Severn House's print presence. "Our commitment is clear: to support Severn House authors with even greater investment, broader reach, and the sustained editorial excellence they have always enjoyed," he said.

Grant said the move capitalizes on Joffe's digital publishing expertise while maintaining Severn House's print editions. "I'm so excited to be bringing that Joffe digital magic to Severn House's rich list of outstanding authors whilst maintaining our quality print editions for which Severn House is known," she said.

Kate Lyall Grant, who now serves as publishing director at Joffe Books, will work with the Severn House team following the acquisition. "Severn House has a stellar list of genre authors, some of the best in the business, and we look forward to connecting their brilliant books with an even wider readership," she said.

The deal, subject to due diligence, is expected to close early next year. Financial terms were not disclosed.