NEW YORK & PARIS, June 12—Simon & Schuster, a leading global publisher, and Les Nouveaux Éditeurs, the just-announced new publishing company established by Arnaud Nourry, have entered into a first-look agreement for future editorial acquisitions. News of the agreement was jointly announced by Jonathan Karp, President and CEO of Simon & Schuster, and Arnaud Nourry, Chairman and CEO of Les Nouveaux Éditeurs.

Under the agreement, which includes adult, childrens, and illustrated/graphic titles, each company will have the first opportunity to acquire projects for its market which satisfy certain parameters and for which the other company has acquired world rights. The agreement also provides for the two publishers to join forces in auctions, and to bid together for series, licenses and other multi-book acquisitions.

For Simon & Schuster, this agreement comes on the heels of its recently announced acquisition of the leading Dutch publisher VBK and is representative of its ambition to expand the scope of its international publishing efforts, in English, translated work, and foreign languages.

“We are delighted to partner with Les Nouveaux Éditeurs,” said Jonathan Karp. “Arnaud Nourry is one of the most dynamic and respected leaders in both French and international publishing. We are full of joie de vivre as we join what promises to be a significant and exciting new publishing enterprise, and to be extending our reach into a major market in which reading and literary culture are valued to an extraordinary degree.”

“Jonathan Karp and I go back a long way. When the opportunity arose to work together again, I was thrilled,” said Arnaud Nourry. “Jonathan is an outstanding publisher who runs the powerhouse that Simon & Schuster has become with authority and skill. As a leader on the American market, he wanted to extend his reach internationally at a time when I was planning the launch of Les Nouveaux Éditeurs. Talk about planets being aligned! The fact that this partnership is based on friendship makes it all the more propitious.” 

Nicole Bond, Vice President, Executive Director Subsidiary Rights, and Stephanie Voros, Vice President, Director, Subsidiary Rights will be the primary contacts from Simon & Schuster overseeing the relationship with Les Nouveaux Éditeurs, for adult and childrens titles, respectively.

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Simon & Schuster, a global leader in general interest publishing, is dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for readers of all ages, and in all printed, digital and audio formats. Its distinguished roster of authors includes many of the world’s most popular and widely recognized writers, and winners of the most prestigious literary honors and awards. It is home to numerous well-known imprints and divisions such as Simon & Schuster, Scribner, Atria Books, Gallery Books, Adams Media, Avid Reader Press, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing and Simon & Schuster Audio and international companies in Australia, Canada, India and the United Kingdom, and proudly brings the works of its authors to readers in more than 200 countries and territories. For more information visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com

Les Nouveaux Éditeurs is an independent, free-standing group of French publishing houses united by a total dedication to their authors and to the values of freedom and innovation. Our mission is to offer all publishing talents who are so inclined an opportunity to develop their editorial project by launching their publishing house in association with our group. We will support them by providing protection, assistance and financing, in a relationship driven by professionalism and a shared sense of purpose. We plan to adopt an entrepreneurial culture combining the best of what a modern organization has to offer and a “boutique” spirit whereby each author, each project will be given the highest degree of attention. For more information, visit our website at lesnouveauxediteurs.com.

CONTACTS:

Les Nouveaux Éditeurs:
Ronald Blunden
Ronald.blunden@orange.fr

Simon & Schuster:
Adam Rothberg, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications
adam.rothberg@simonandschuster.com