Cover Stories: Faber's record results; Hugh Grant; Rosie de Courcy; Penguin

The Literator
Thursday 16 December 2004 20:00 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Faber has ended its 75th anniversary year in grand style, with record results.

Faber has ended its 75th anniversary year in grand style, with record results. Turnover was up 14 per cent, and a loss last year of £238,000 has become a profit of £452,000. The 2003 Man Booker win for DBC Pierre with Vernon God Little provided a shot in the arm, and Christmas sales are being boosted by Ricky Gervais with Flanimals. The book has shifted 200,000 copies. Next year's highlights include a second slice of what Alan Bennett calls his "mitherings", on which the firm will share billing with Profile.

* Well. Golly. Gosh. First Hugh Grant plays a smarmy publisher (in Bridget Jones). Now he's going to be one of the judges in the final run-off for the Whitbread Book of the Year award in January, along with chair Sir Trevor McDonald, Mariella Frostrup and Michael Portillo. Life imitating art, what? Novel next?

* Rosie de Courcy, who, as Mrs Anthony Cheetham, was one of the co-founders of Century and Orion, will begin the new year with a new job. Having left Orion after her divorce from its then CEO - who was subsequently removed by his French overlords - she decamped to Headline. This year, Hodder Headline became a sister company to Orion in the Hachette group, a situation not without its complications. Now comes the news that the keen huntswoman has bolted to Time Warner, where she will report to the formidable publishing director Ursula Mackenzie.

* Good news for Penguin at the end of its annus horribilis of distribution nightmares. With his Reformation, (published by Allen Lane), church historian Diarmaid MacCulloch has won the 2004 British Academy book prize. Described by the judges as "a majestic survey", it was chosen from among 200 books submitted.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in