Harpers unveils a global publishing program for authors

Publishers Lunch reveals that:

In a move that underscores publishers' growing desire to maximize the territorial rights they control through direct publishing in a possible markets, HarperCollins announced Wednesday morning that they will launch a new "global publishing program" called HarperCollins 360, starting July 1. The initiative's goal "is to ensure that all books published by any division of HarperCollins around the world are available in print or digital format in all English-language markets."

In other words, Harper will make certain they are publishing into the US market any titles originated by Harper divisions in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, India and Canada where they have the rights to do, comprising approximately "50,000 print books and 40,000 e-books...limited only by the rights held, not by technology or geography."

The program will start with Harper UK titles "moving to HarperCollins 360's US team." Jean Marie Kelly is leading that team and takes the title Affiliate Publisher, HarperCollins 360. She will "manage the editorial pipeline and all marketing and publicity efforts" and work closely with president of sales Josh Marwell and group international publisher Chris Wold in the UK "to ensure each book is published to its fullest potential." Harper's Canadian and Australian books will also be available in the US by the end of the year.

"It is our responsibility to provide our authors with the broadest possible reach through our global print and digital publishing platforms, regardless of where their books originate," said HarperCollins president and ceo Brian Murray in a statement. "We are establishing new publishing roles, with marketing and publicity support, to maximize the global influence of our authors. Our vision is to have the entire HarperCollins book catalog available for customers in all major territories for which we have rights." Harper will draw on "new POD partnerships and the technology co-located in our warehouses in the US, UK and Australia" to broadly provide both print and ebook editions.