Bonnier Zaffre, a division of Bonnier Publishing UK, will expand into the U.S. market next year, with its initial focus on two of its internationally bestselling authors, Wilbur Smith and Lynda La Plante.
Valentina Rice has been appointed v-p of sales, marketing, and publicity for the imprint, reporting to Mark Smith, CEO of Bonnier Zaffre, and will be based at Bonnier Publishing USA’s New York headquarters. Rice was previously v-p of international sales and marketing for Penguin Group USA. Smith will continue to run the business from Bonnier Zaffre’s headquarters in London, reporting to Bonnier Publishing UK CEO Perminder Mann.
"This is a natural next step in the development of Bonnier Zaffre," Smith said in a statement. "We look forward to building on the success our authors have previously enjoyed in this market, and bringing new focus to building brand names in commercial fiction."
The imprint, which launched in 2015 in the U.K., will join Bonnier Publishing USA’s distribution agreement with Simon & Schuster effective immediately.
Rice added, in a statement: "I couldn’t be more thrilled to join the dynamic Bonnier Publishing family, be part of such an exciting expansion, and to work with such beloved authors."
