Headline partners with Welsh indie Accent Press

Headline Publishing Group is to take on the production, sales, rights and distribution for Welsh indie publisher Accent Press.

A partnership will begin with the Cardiff Bay-based press in September, although Headline parent firm Hachette has not bought any of the company.

Accent, founded in 2003 by Hazel Cushion, was the launching pad for Jodi Taylor, author of the popular Chronicles of St Mary’s series, who signed with Headline last December. It has won a number of small business awards and been shortlisted for the IPG Independent Publisher of the Year title.

Cushion said the deal was a “wonderful opportunity” for her company and its authors, allowing Accent to use Hachette’s knowhow, while the publishing giant might also learn lessons from her own press’s rapid success.

She explained: “The route to market has always been the issue for small publishers and this partnership will solve that problem. Meanwhile we remain independent and agile allowing us to find new talent and respond quickly to opportunities.”

Accent will be publishing 40 titles a year, combining authors from its current list and new writers.

Headline managing director, Mari Evans, said she planned to give Accent “firm foundations” to continue its growth.

She said: “I’ve long been an admirer of Hazel Cushion’s work at Accent Press. Accent is a lively, creative independent publisher whose Cariad list first caught my attention some years ago, thanks to its confident packaging and smart digital marketing.

“Hazel is a dynamic force with a knack for unearthing and nurturing talent with energy and passion and after we met, it was obvious we could support Hazel’s entrepreneurial spirit by offering her firm foundations from which to grow her business.”

Evans added: “I’m personally delighted to be working closely with a Welsh independent, taking me back to my cultural roots and supporting a local business that will remain based in Cardiff.”