Atlantic Books announces new structure in the wake of redundancies

Atlantic Books has outlined a new team structure alongside plans for its four imprints, as the publisher looks to transition from "diffuse" to "expert".

The news follows a restructure that saw four roles close in response to financial pressures faced by the company. Atlantic confirmed to The Bookseller in February that James Nightingale and Kate Ballard (editorial director for Atlantic Non-Fiction and senior editor for Allen & Unwin respectively) had been affected by the redundancies. The role of Corvus editor was also closed, having being vacant since December. The restructure was completed in April, with the announcement of non-fiction publishing director Poppy Hampson’s departure.

Moving forward, Atlantic Non-Fiction will continue to publish narrative non-fiction across politics, history, memoir and science. Meanwhile, Allen & Unwin will shift from being a "catch-all" fiction and non-fiction list to a "solutions-focused" non-fiction imprint, publishing expert-led books alongside some gift and IP titles. 

Ed Faulkner has stepped up as group non-fiction publisher, overseeing the two non-fiction imprints. He will manage a team comprising senior editor James Pulford, who will focus on narrative non-fiction in politics, history and memoir, editor Erika Koljonen and editorial assistant Harry O’Sullivan.

Managing director Drummond Moir will feed into both imprints, as will Atlantic’s group associate publisher Clare Drysdale. Drysdale will continue to publish across Atlantic’s fiction and non-fiction imprints, as well as leading Grove Press UK and Atlantic’s Irish publishing.

Atlantic Fiction will continue to publish global literary writers and "sharp" genre/literary crossover fiction, run by publishing director James Roxburgh. Moreover, Atlantic’s commercial fiction imprint Corvus will double down on its areas of strength – crime, thriller and women’s fiction – with publishing director Sarah Hodgson at the helm. Atlantic is also hiring a new fiction editor, who will work across both fiction imprints.

"Our new structure transforms us from a diffuse publisher to an expert one: four distinct imprints, plus the successful publishing partnership we enjoy with Grove Atlantic on the Grove Press UK list," Moir said. "We carry forward our biggest strengths – versatility, breadth, commitment to excellence and an ability to surprise – but with added clarity about what we’re best at and who we are.

"With an exceptional team in place, significant acquisition announcements in the pipeline, and topline sales comfortably ahead of both budget and last year, this is a moment of excitement, energy and momentum for Atlantic."