PRH to launch Singapore-based South East Asia company

Penguin Random House is to launch a South East Asia publishing operation in Singapore next year, boosting the Asia commitment already represented by its North Asia and India companies.

The new company will have a remit to discover and publish local and international voices across English-language adult and children’s fiction and non-fiction formats for Singapore and Malaysia, as well as Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brunei and Myanmar (Burma). PRH described the region as "seen as one of the most promising of the emerging publishing regions, with much great writing across genres in English and regional languages."

At its outset, the company hopes to publish some 50 titles in print and digital formats, PRH said.

Gaurav Shrinagesh (pictured above), c.e.o. of Penguin Random House India, will oversee the new company, which "currently" is named Penguin Books Singapore, with Nora Nazarene Abu Bakar (pictured right) joining as its first hire in November, in the role of executive editor. She will be responsible for building the local publishing list, managing acquisitions, and author relationships, with the help of close retailer and marketing support initially from Penguin Random House India. She has previously held roles in Pearson Education South Asia, and at Marshall Cavendish Education (as acquisitions manager), and PRH said: "Her network of relationships and keen knowledge of the region will be key in establishing a publishing presence for Penguin Random House in South East Asia."

PRH c.e.o. Markus Dohle said: “We are pleased to announce the launch of our Singapore-based Penguin Random House South East publishing operation, which joins our thriving imprints in India and China and our growing English-language publishing programmes worldwide. This new trade publishing programme with original books written by local authors is a natural extension and complement to the longstanding business we have selling adult and children’s fiction and non-fiction by our international authors into this vibrant market and community.”

Gaurav Shrinagesh said, “These are exciting times for book lovers, as publishing transcends geographies and languages to open access to literature from all over the world. Penguin Random House’s expansion into South East Asia will broaden our audience reach and local consumer insights to create publishing opportunities to further develop our editorial portfolio by supporting local authors in emerging markets and building their audiences.”

The development follows on from the acquisition of Hind Pocket Books by Penguin Random House India last June.