S&S UK takes on Orenda's sales and distribution

Simon & Schuster UK is taking on sales and distribution from independent publisher Orenda Books.

Karen Sullivan, publisher of Orenda Books, and Gill Richardson, group sales director of S&S UK, said S&S would take on the responsibilities from book distributor Turnaround and will begin selling titles in late summer capitalising on the “increasing success and press coverage” of Orenda’s list. Territories for the sales and distribution include the UK, Ireland, Europe, Middle East, Africa and South Africa.

Orenda Books publishes literary fiction and crime thrillers and was launched by Sullivan in 2014. It is based in south London and includes authors include Micheal J Malone, Agnes Ravatn, Ragnar Jonasson and Amanda Jennings.

Ian Chapman, c.e.o. and publisher of S&S UK and International, revealed he has “long been an admirer of the Orenda list and am delighted that we are entering into this partnership with Karen”. 

“Karen’s zest and energy around books are palpable as is her desire to find as wide a readership as possible for her excellent list,” he said.  “We shall do all that we can to increase her already impressive reach.”

Sullivan described it as a “fantastic move for Orenda Books; not only a natural next step for our exciting list, but also necessary to capitalise on the increasing success and press coverage of our titles”

She said: “I was hugely impressed by the enthusiasm, imagination and passion of the S&S team, as well as their professionalism and proven ability not only to get great sales, across the board, but to build on them. I am absolutely confident that they can bring our fabulous books to new markets and help to raise the profile of, and establish, Orenda firmly in our existing markets.”

Richardson said: “The Simon & Schuster UK sales team is tremendously excited at the prospect of bringing this wonderful list of books to a whole new readership.”

She described the sales team as “greatly looking forward to sharing our enthusiasm with retailers and book buyers, both home and international”.

In January last year, Curtis Brown Group took on translation and TV and film rights for Orenda.