Styring embarks on mass market joint venture

John Styring is launching a new mass market publisher, Curious Universe, after forming a 50-50 joint venture with Australian publisher Hinkler.

Bookoli, the children’s publisher launched by Styring earlier this year, will become part of Curious Universe, which will create adult books, children’s titles and stationery for the UK, Irish and co-edition markets.

Hinkler UK will also become part of Curious Universe and Styring will take on the role of c.e.o. of the new company, which will be based in Bath.

“When we started talking to Hinkler, it quickly became apparent that this would be a perfect match,” he said. “With our experience in running a leading mass market publisher from here in the UK, and the creative genius and wealth of successful products from Hinkler, we believe the Curious Universe UK brand will be a very strong proposition. The Bookoli and Hinkler lists very much complement each other.”

Stephen Ungar, c.e.o. and publisher of Hinkler books, described the move as a “unique opportunity to attract the best of the best people in our industry and to construct a global entrepreneurial publishing powerhouse”.

Styring and his wife Briony founded Igloo Books, which they sold to Bonnier in 2014, and the pair took some time out of publishing before launching Bookoli earlier this year.

Existing Bookoli and Hinkler UK members of staff will become part of the new company, although it will also actively recruit to grow the team.

Children’s books will continue to be published under the Bookoli brand as well as the Curious Universe brand, the company has confirmed.