Independent New York publisher OR Books has acquired the London-based Serif Books. OR Books will maintain the imprint and continue to publish books under the Serif Books brand.
Contracts with Serif Books authors will be maintained and OR Books said it plans to use its expertise at digital publishing and online marketing to support the Serif Books line.
Founded in 2009 by two veteran publishing figures, Colin Robinson and John Oakes, OR Books is structured as a nontraditional publishing model. The house publishes primarily in digital formats and print-on-demand and sells its books directly to consumers as well as through traditional bookstores.
Serif Books was founded in 1992 by Stephen Hayward, who died in October 2015. Serif Books features an eclectic list of titles that include fiction, travel, politics, cooking and history. It’s authors include E.H. Carr, Evelyn Waugh, Federico Garcia Logca and J. M. Synge.
Commenting on the acquisition, Robinson said: “I knew Serif’s founder and publisher, Stephen Hayward, over many years. I always admired his approach to publishing and share his commitment to progressive books. We’re delighted to be able to bring the Serif list under OR’s wing and aim to develop the imprint in the adventurous, lively spirit with which Stephen ran it.”
