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Akoya Publishing launches with slate of 10 books for 2026
A new independent publisher, Akoya Publishing, has announced its launch with a slate of 10 books set for 2026. Akoya is a new literary press which "celebrates courageous, visionary and innovative writing". Akoya has been founded by Norwegian entrepreneur Camilla Hagen, with Xenia Stafford as the managing director, and is a "longtime vision coming to life".
The new press will be dedicated to publishing an inspiring range of literary fiction, non-fiction and poetry.
Akoya will begin publishing in spring 2026, with the release of They by award-winning Danish writer Helle Helle, translated from Danish by Martin Aitken.
Hagen acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Gina Winje at Winje Agency with rights sold in six languages. They is the first of three books by Helle Helle that Akoya has acquired, with Hafni Says and Hey Hafni following.
In Spring 2026, Akoya is publishing Chiquitita by Pedro Carmona-Alvarez, a Norwegian novelist and poet of Chilean descent, translated from Norwegian by Sean Kinsella. Hagen acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Winje at Winje Agency where rights have been bought in a further five languages.
In Summer 2026, Akoya is publishing Gravity by Ada d’Adamo with UK and Commonwealth rights bought from Michael Dean at Andrew Nurnberg Associates, translated from Italian by Alex Valente.
In Autumn 2026, Akoya is publishing La Playa by Marina Perezagua. Hagen acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from María Juncosa at Casanovas and Lynch Literary Agency, translated from Spanish by Robin Myers
Hagen said: "I have always believed that by illuminating the unknown and transforming ignorance into acceptance, we can cultivate a deeper sense of compassion. Akoya is grounded in the belief that literature is one of the most powerful ways of changing the world. We embrace literary works of art that delve into themes of existentialism, morality, human nature, identity and societal structures. Our curated list, unbound by conventional form, offers layered meaning and subtext that encourage critical thought and a deeper exploration beyond the surface.”
Headquartered in Kensal Road, London, Akoya has a small team with Xenia Stafford as managing director, Emma James as rights and international publishing consultant, Ruth Waldram as marketing and communications consultant, Holly Titchener as art director, Heather O’Connell as production consultant and editorial assistants Charlotte Grønbech and Elle Woodfield.
Stafford said: "The name Akoya has a particular resonance to the types of books we are publishing, each book a pearl, born from complex human experiences. Our visual identity reflects elements of the universal symbol of the pearl and circle that exists in both man-made and natural states.”
