Communications Director Sophie Cottrell tells us that Hachette Book Group is creating a new publishing division which will be comprised of two of its newer imprints: Orbit (the Science Fiction and Fantasy imprint) and Yen Press (the Manga and Graphic Novel imprint). The new division will take the Orbit name, and will “strategically strengthen HBG’s presence in these increasingly vital segments of the book buying market.”
Tim Holman has been appointed Vice President and Publisher of the new division. He had relocated from London to New York in 2006 to help set up Orbit. In his new post, Holman will report to CEO and Chairman David Young.
Kurt Hassler, Publishing Director of Yen Press, will report to Holman. Hassler will be soloing in the position. He previously shared the job with co-Publishing Director Rich Johnson, but Johnson is leaving the company at the end of October.
Alex Lencicki has been appointed Marketing and Publicity Director for the new division.
Young said of the reorganization: “This new publishing division gives us the perfect platform for building our business in two genres that have significant potential for future growth. Tim has grown Orbit to be the market-leading imprint in the UK, and his publishing experience is perfectly suited to the opportunities presented by both Orbit and Yen Press in the US market. We are of course sorry that Rich Johnson will be leaving the company, however as the Yen business has evolved it has become clear that a single Publishing Director for the imprint is most appropriate. The establishment of this new division reflects not only our belief that it makes publishing sense for Orbit and Yen Press to be more closely connected within the company, but also our commitment to the genres in which they publish.”
Holman said: “Orbit and Yen Press will continue to develop independently. However, as a single division, we’ll be able to combine our efforts in a number of key areas to great effect. Both Orbit and Yen Press are publishing in genres that can no longer be considered marginal. It is almost impossible to imagine popular culture today without them. Our challenge is to embrace this change, to be creative and forward-thinking, and to engage with the new audiences that we know are out there. I believe that we have the right publishing vision and the right publishing team, and I’m greatly looking forward to working with Kurt, Alex, and colleagues throughout the company to make the new Orbit division a great success.”