Andrew Wheeler tells us that Marc Gascoigne has been hired by HarperCollins UK as Publishing Director. Further, the company is planning to launch a new science fiction imprint, to be called Angry Robot, in July 2009.
Gascoigne used to be the publisher of Solaris and Black Library, and will be running the line, reporting to Managing Director Amanda Ridout. The stand-alone unit will be based in Nottingham.
Gascoigne says the new imprint will be building the next wave of authors. “I am overjoyed to be joining HarperCollins to set up Angry Robot. I’ve proved with Black Library that, with the right approach, genre fiction can work and work big for hard-to-reach audiences like teenage boys. The strong launch of Solaris in both the UK and US showed that the SF & Fantasy market still has room for innovation. This year, and not for the first time, other areas of mass-media such as movies, television and computer games have enjoyed massive popular success across a variety of SF and Fantasy subjects. I’m confident that with this new venture we can bring that creative energy and success to the community in a different way.”
Harper goes on to say that the new imprint will publish books both on paper and electronically, and sell directly as well as through normal distribution channels. “The business will focus on exploiting new business opportunities in e-commerce, print on demand, and digital publishing for the Sci-Fi and Fantasy community.”
Ridout explained how the company will manage two separate sf imprints: “It is exciting to launch a new stand alone business into this vibrant and digitally-savvy community. HarperCollins is the market leader in fantasy through its Voyager imprint which is home to the biggest established authors and some hugely exciting new talent. Angry Robot will be focussed at a different part of the market and will deliver its content in a variety of different ways. Marc is the perfect person to spearhead this innovative and creative venture.”