HarperCollins Focus is launching a new gift imprint, Harper Celebrate, with a wide-ranging portfolio of “uplifting and inspiring” titles, the company announced Wednesday. The imprint will focus on uplifting subject matter including special occasion, seasonal, and lifestyle topics and employ what the publisher calls “visually striking” packaging.
Michael Aulisio has been named the new imprint's v-p and publisher at Celebrate, moving over from marketing leadership of children’s and gift publishing at HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Laura Minchew, senior v-p and group publisher at HarperCollins Focus, cited Aulisio's talents for “a rare and effective combination of market research, innovation, and creativity,” adding: “This new imprint will be a wonderful addition to the HarperCollins Focus family.”
The first Harper Celebrate titles will release in fall 2022; a representative of HarperCollins Focus declined to provide PW with title counts for the imprint's first and forthcoming slates. Forthcoming books will vary widely, with planned titles including journals, literary graphic novels, poetry, and photography-driven books; titles on hospitality, home decorating, organization, crafting; personal time management, and mindfulness; and books marking special occasions, including holidays and graduations. Marketing plans for the imprint's titles include cross-promotional campaigns with what the publisher called "popular entertainers."
In a video at the Celebrate website, Aulisio also notes that the imprint will publish books featuring short writings from “thought leaders” offering motivation, encouragement, and reflections. “We believe there is a large population of people looking for content to enrich their lives,” Aulisio said. “Readers are looking for books that help them think positively, find inspiration, embrace the things that matter most, improve their outlook, be entertained, and discover true peace in their lives.”
