Bonnier sells Totally Entwined back to co-founders

Bonnier Books UK has sold romantic fiction firm Totally Entwined Group back to its co-founders for an undisclosed sum, four years after originally buying it.

The group publishes 150 titles per year across three imprints – romance brand Totally Bound Publishing, LGBTQI fiction-focused Pride Publishing and YA specialist Finch Books. It will now be owned again by Claire and Marek Siemaszkiewicz, who retained their positions after the original buyout and said they were “thrilled” to be “back in control”. 

Bonnier bought the Lincolnshire-based press in 2015, one of a succession of purchases that had seen it gobble up Zaffre and children’s press Igloo Books a year earlier.

The firm’s c.o.o, Jon Perdoni, explained: “As we focus on strengthening our trade publishing in London and mass-market publishing in Northampton, we believe Totally Entwined Group will be better served under the direction of its co-founders, Claire and Marek. Since founding the business in 2006, Claire and Marek have shown great energy, passion and vision and we look forward to seeing where they take it next.”

Totally Entwined c.e.o. Claire Siemaszkiewicz added: “We're thrilled to be back in control and driving Totally Entwined Group forward. We've seen a lot of changes in the industry over the last five years and we're keen to put some positive plans in place that will enhance our publishing group. We believe it's essential to stay relevant to both readers and authors in a changing market and our plans include diversifying and strengthening our brand at home and internationally.”

No changes are planned to the company’s staff or publishing programme.