Longacre Press sells to Random House

Random House NZ has purchased the award winning Dunedin-based publisher Longacre Press. Publisher Barbara Larson will remain based in Dunedin as a roving commissioner for Random House.

Longacre will become an imprint within Random House NZ’s local publishing division, joining Godwit another quality local imprint. As Annette Riley, Longacre’s Publicity and Marketing Manager, is due to retire at the end of November, the publicity and marketing functions will from then on be resourced from within Random House’s current team.

Longacre Press is regarded by the booktrade as a respected publisher of quality books, and has received many awards and accolades for their work. This was reflected at the 2009 Industry Awards when booksellers voted Longacre Press as runner up (to Random House) in the Publisher of the Year Awards. In May 2009 Longacre’s book The 10pm Question by Kate de Goldi won the NZ Post Children’s Book of the Year Award, and later had the distinction of winning not only the Readers’ Choice Award at the Montana NZ Book Awards, but was also joint runner up for the Montana Fiction Award along with another Longacre book, Bernard Beckett’s Acid Song.

Soon after Longacre was established in 1994 the company published the landmark book Timeless Land and went on to develop a strong young adult list; a significant and diverse non fiction list including commercial successes such as Hurricane Tim –The Story of Sir Tim Wallis by Neville Peat, and Josh Kronfeld’s autobiography On the Loose. More recently Genesis a novel by Bernard Beckett has achieved widespread international recognition, rights having been sold to more than twenty-five countries.

The sale reflects Longacre principals Barbara Larson and Annette Riley’s desire to secure a long term home for the Longacre authors and their books. Barbara Larson said, “With Annette’s retirement it was time to think about a succession plan. Random House understands the values of Longacre and our publishing focus. Random House was the obvious purchaser as they were acting as our sales and distribution agent, and already had a part investment in the company.”

Karen Ferns, Random House NZ’s Managing Director said, “I have huge respect for what Annette and Barbara have achieved as independent publishers backed by their hardworking team. Longacre’s list of books is testimony to the breadth and quality of the Longacre Press publishing range. I have also long admired the energy, verve and care that Longacre have given to their authors and their books. Random House intends to ensure those qualities are reflected in our ongoing stewardship of those relationships, and in our use of the Longacre name.”

Annette Riley said, “I am extremely proud of our books and their authors, our staff, our southern heritage, and what has been achieved over the 15 years of Longacre’s operation. I find it hard to think of a more interesting career.”

For further information contact:

Karen Ferns

Managing Director

Random House NZ

09 444 7197 021 606 414

Barbara Larson

Publisher

Longacre Press

03 477 2911 021 577 291

Annette Riley

Publicity and Marketing Manager

Longacre Press

03 477 2911