Mark Smith, founder and former CEO of Quercus, has been named CEO of Bonnier Publishing Fiction in London, covering both adult and children’s lists. As part of the deal, Smith will bring his company, Zaffre Publishing, into the group for an undisclosed fee.
Hodder announced that it would be acquiring Quercus in late March. The purchase was completed in April, and it was announced that Smith would be leaving the company.
Bonnier Publishing Fiction will house the group’s fiction interests – currently Hot Key Books, Piccadilly Press and now Zaffre – spanning both adult and children’s fiction. Hot Key Books and Piccadilly will remain focused on children’s fiction, while Zaffre will build an adult fiction business around women’s fiction, romance, historical fiction, crime, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy, horror and fiction in translation.
