Saqi Books moves to Turnaround Publisher Services for distribution

Saqi Books has moved its distribution to Turnaround Publisher Services, which will oversee the distribution of Saqi’s titles in the UK and worldwide, excluding North America where Consortium/Ingram handle sales and distribution for the London-based independent.

The publisher of trade and academic books on the Middle East and North Africa will continue to be represented by Yale University Press in the UK, by Durnell Marketing in Europe, by Parkway Sales in the Middle East and by the White Partnership in Asia.

Following the move in August 2024, Turnaround will now distribute Saqi’s frontlist and back catalogue. The move follows UID Group and Marston Book Services going into administration.

October 2024 will see the release of lead titles A Man With No Title by French Algerian novelist Xavier Le Clerc, and Daybreak in Gaza, co-edited by Mahmoud Muna and Matthew Teller, profits from which will be donated to Medical Aid for Palestinians. Saqi’s 2025 releases continue to champion diverse voices and include A Man of Few Words: The Bricklayer of Auschwitz Who Saved Primo Levi by Italian author Carlo Greppi.

Publisher Lynn Gaspard said: “I am delighted that Saqi will now be represented by Turnaround. Claire Thompson and the team at Turnaround have the experience, infrastructure and understanding of our list to ensure a successful future for our business. We look forward to working together and we greatly appreciate the excellent work of the entire Turnaround team in ensuring a seamless transition from our previous distributor.”

Turnaround has a roster of independent publishing clients, including Bitter Lemon Press and Galley Beggar Press in the UK, Melville House and Seven Stories Press from America, Text Publishing in Australia and Moleskine in Italy.

Claire Thompson, marketing director at Turnaround, added: “We are delighted that Saqi Books has found a new home at Turnaround. Saqi’s range of titles is exciting and bold and much loved by readers and booksellers alike. We are enjoying getting to know Saqi’s team and titles and look forward to supplying their readers over many years to come.”