Vancouver-based SpiceBox Product Development has purchased the Penguin Group U.K. imprint The Book Studio and will merge it with its existing operations in Canada. Prior to the acquisition, SpiceBox had between 60 and 80 titles in its catalogue, which focused on "how-to" craft and hobby books for children and adults as well as some early learning children's books. The Book Studio expands that list significantly with more than 300 titles.
Ben Lotfi, who is managing director and president of SpiceBox, said once the company knew there was an opportunity to acquire The Book Studio, "it was an easy decision for us to make." An associated distribution company, Select Publications, which Lotfi also heads, used to buy books from The Book Studio and so they were familiar with its list.
The Book Studio sells its books in 25 countries and is particularly strong in European and Latin American markets, which was "strategically one of the strongest benefits" for SpiceBox, Lotfi said. The company plans to attend the Bologna Children's Book Fair, the London Book Fair, BookExpo America and the Frankfurt Book Fair and hopes to have new access to The Book Studio's customers.
SpiceBox plans to keep up with reprints of its active titles and do new editions of some. Lotfi said the company will also commission new titles, particularly for successful series, and hopes to work with freelance artists, writers and editors who created books with The Book Studio, which will continue as a division of SpiceBox.
The Book Studio will have a staff of five for publishing, production and administration, and they will work with 10 other SpiceBox employees. The Book Studio's Sarah Fereday will head European sales and marketing and be based in the U.K.
