Watkins Media owner Ilfeld buys John Hunt Publishing

Entrepreneur Etan Ilfeld, owner of the Watkins Media Group, has bought John Hunt Publishing (JHP) for an undisclosed sum. 

Ilfeld’s business includes publishing imprints Watkins Publishing, Nourish, Repeater and Angry Robot Books. JHP currently has more than 2,000 titles in print across key imprints such as O Books, Zero Books, Moon Books and Iff Books

The financial details of the sale have not been disclosed. A spokesperson for JHP confirmed Ilfeld will retain all in-house staff as well as continuing to work with its team of freelancers. 

John Hunt, who founded JHP more than 30 years ago, said he “felt that the time was now right to step away permanently”, the publisher said.

He said of Ilfeld: "He's a great guy, owns Watkins Publishing and the Watkins Bookshop, along with other businesses, and I can't think of a better long-term home for the company."

Ilfeld commented: “I’m very excited to add JHP alongside Watkins Media and look forward to publishing many inspiring books.”