Kate Adams joins Octopus to spearhead new imprint 'Aster'

The Octopus Publishing Group has launched a new lifestyle imprint called Aster, and appointed former Michael Joseph publisher and author Kate Adams to lead it.

The new "agenda-setting" imprint in lifestyle publishing launched today (6th October) with a panel event looking at wellness trends for 2017, held on the roof terrace of the Ham Yard Hotel.

Aster (Greek for “star”) will publish books that "nourish and inspire" people, whether that's "to cook a healthy meal, take gentle care of their bodies, calm their minds, feed their souls or fire their passions".

Adams, also a wellness specialist and author published by Hodder and Orion, joins Octopus as consultant publisher of Aster, and will work with Stephanie Jackson, Octopus publishing director. She has previously held a variety of roles in editorial and commissioning. During her time as publisher at Michael Joseph she was responsible for blockbusters such as You Are What You Eat, How Clean Is Your House? and Cook Yourself Slim, as well as commercial authors and brands ranging from Seth Godin, Eckart Tolle and Innocent to Darcey Bussell to Fern Britton and Dr David Servan-Schreiber. Her own most recent title is Magic Soup (Orion).

The new imprint has a list already in place for Spring 2017, with initial titles including: Plenish: Fuel Your Ambition by Kara Rosen, the follow-up to Plenish, featuring plant-based juices and meal plans to power your goals and unlock your potential. (£14.99, December 2016); The G Plan Diet by Amanda Hamilton and Hannah Ebelthite, a "revolutionary" 21-day diet plan that combines two health subjects of the moment – weight loss and gut health (£8.99, January 2017); The Balance Plan by nutritional therapist Angelique Panagos, which reveals the six pillars of hormonal health and provides tools to rebalance your hormones and improve your life (£20, May 2017); and Pause by debut author Danielle Marchant, which will teach readers how to "press pause" before life does it for you (£12.99, June 2017).

Aster has also acquired Lucy Whigham’s Low FODMAP Recipe Book, to be released first as an app with the book to follow, and a series of titles encouraging the practice of mindful living from co-founder of The School of Life, Sophie Howarth and her new venture, Dept.store for the Mind.

Jackson said: "With the launch of a bespoke imprint dedicated to leading the way in a lifestyle category that’s growing exponentially, our expertise in producing beautiful, accessible books for readers everywhere married with Kate’s incredible feel for the subject and sharp commercial nous will lead to some brilliant publishing in the months to come. I can’t wait to see Aster flourish under Kate’s direction.” 

Adams said: "My passion has always been to share words that inspire us to live well, be ourselves and feel connected. Curating the Aster list means giving a platform to voices that will guide us through new chapters in our lives, help us be comfortable with who we are and know that anything we imagine is possible. And because it is Octopus, the books will have as much style as they have substance, reflecting the direction of the wellness market in the UK and beyond.”