‘As a sister imprint to one of the UK’s oldest publishing names, we will continue to produce beautiful, intelligent, transformational titles.
September has grown considerably since Charlotte Cole and I published the first three books in 2015. It’s been a rewarding journey thanks to our brilliant authors, and the talented freelancers and expert teams we’ve worked with. But we now need greater infrastructure support and wider, global distribution.
Joining forces with Duckworth gives us space and structure for growth, within a publisher whose values align with ours, and whose rich history of independent publishing is currently more exciting than ever.’
Hannah MacDonald, publisher
September Publishing is to become part of Duckworth Books, with its publishing business acquired by the latter for an undisclosed sum. The full team will transfer over, including Publisher Hannah MacDonald who will continue to lead September, now as an imprint of Duckworth Books.
Founded by Hannah MacDonald in 2014, September has won Regional Small Press of the Year twice and been shortlisted every year since the award started. It has a core of upmarket mind-body-spirit publishing and has published five successful titles with author Sharon Blackie, as well as a wider range of quality illustrated and narrative nonfiction. It also has publishing relationships with the Van Gogh Museum and English Heritage.
Founded in 1898, Duckworth Books is one of the UK’s oldest publishing names still under independent ownership. Its Duckworth imprint, led by Clare Bullock, has non-fiction strengths in biography and memoir, history, science and smart thinking, as well as literary fiction. Its sister imprint Farrago specializes in humorous fiction. Duckworth Books also has a longstanding relationship distributing The School of Life.
Hannah MacDonald said: ‘September has grown considerably since Charlotte Cole and I published the first three books in 2015. It’s been a rewarding journey thanks to our brilliant authors, and the talented freelancers and expert teams we’ve worked with. But we now need greater infrastructure support and wider, global distribution. Joining forces with Duckworth gives us space and structure for growth, within a publisher whose values align with ours, and whose rich history of independent publishing is currently more exciting than ever.’
Duckworth Books MD, Pete Duncan, said: ‘Since we first met I have come to know Hannah as one of the most thoughtful publishers of our time. The quality of the list she has built since founding September Publishing is second to none, and we can’t wait to collaborate with Hannah and her team on it now, as a sister imprint to Duckworth.’
