Hachette Book Group reorganises divisions, dozens made redundant

In the US, the Hachette Book Group (HBG) has reorganised its Hachette Books and Nashville divisions, resulting in a number of layoffs, reports Publishers Weekly.

Under the reorganisation, Hachette Books is moving into the Perseus Books division. Hachette Books is also absorbing Da Capo Press, which was one of the Perseus imprints acquired when HBG purchased Perseus Book Group’s publishing operations in 2016. Da Capo has traditionally published nonfiction titles and after the change Hachette Books will publish around 90 new nonfiction titles a year. Da Capo’s health and wellness imprint Lifelong will become an imprint of Hachette Books, and feminist imprint Seal Press will join Basic Books.

The Associated Press reported that around two dozen employees would be laid off. Hachette Books publisher Mauro DiPreta is leaving the company after four years in the position. Perseus Books senior vice-president and publisher Susan Weinberg will serve as acting publisher of Hachette Books until a new publisher is named. HBG announced that Da Capo Press vice-president and publisher John Radziewicz is retiring. 

In the Nashville division, HBG consolidated the editorial and publishing teams of its Christian imprints, FaithWords and the recently acquired imprint Worthy. 

Hachette Australia CEO Louise Sherwin-Stark said HBG US changes won’t affect the Australian business and added, ‘We will continue to represent their books in this market.’

Category: International news