Academic publisher Continuum International Publishing is moving its customer service and distribution to National Book Network as of July 1. The publisher will be NBN’s biggest client. Continuum has done customer service and distribution itself. While NBN will take over customer service, fulfillment, billing, and collection, Continuum will continue selling its list, and handling its own marketing and editorial services. Its field sales force will continue unchanged.
Continuum CEO Oliver Gadsby said the move is timely, “coming as it does as we conclude a successful fiscal 2010 and are poised for an even stronger 2011 and beyond. Continuum will benefit from the scale and technology of National Book Network’s operations.” NBN president Rich Freese said Continuum was a good fit for NBN because like NBN parent company Rowman & Littlefield, Continuum publishes both trade and academic books. “NBN will help Continuum reach the book trade and R&L will help them reach the academic and library markets,” Freese said. “As one of the world's leading independent publishers, Continuum was a highly sought-after client. We couldn't be more excited about going to work on their behalf."
Continuum publishes about 600 books each year, with a backlist of 7,000 titles in the humanities, education, and religion. Its smaller trade list includes books on popular culture and the media.
NBN will begin taking orders for Continuum on July 1. Continuum will continue to accept returns at its current Harrisburg, Penn., distribution center until November 1. Other new NBN clients include Michelin Guides and the U.N.
