About Anova Books

November 2005 saw the birth of a new independent publishing company - Anova Books. But this is ‘new’ with a heritage. That heritage consists of some of the best publishing imprints from the last 100 years; Batsford, Collins & Brown, Conway, National Trust Books, Pavilion, and Robson Books.

• We have created a new independent publisher building on the range of imprints previously contained within the Chrysalis Books Group. We believe that each of these imprints can really flourish within Anova.
• It’s a winning combination of the central big company clout of Anova Books with all the central resourcing and weight that carries, and the small individual imprint publishing teams with their various market strengths.
• As a management team we are passionately committed to our new venture and bring with us a lot of experience from a range of different publishing backgrounds.
• One thing we really forward to is an opportunity to shed the corporate mentality and be released from the confines of a big conglomerate. Anova will answer in future to its authors, customers, and staff.
• Our aim is to get from 250 new books each year to about 150. These 150 books will be the best of their kind and we will be proud of every one of them.
• We think that the prestigious and varied brands we work with say a lot about the range and energy of our publishing; The National Trust, NatMags (Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Zest, and Cosmopolitan), and Agent Provocateur.
• Within the imprint teams we want to empower our publishers and bring back a spirit of entrepreneurism and nimbleness. It is greatly to our advantage that we can react to new projects and offers quickly and effectively.
• We want to generate innovative ideas from each part of the business, foster our new independence of spirit and encourage involvement from everyone.

‘This is a hugely exciting opportunity that has come at a pivotal moment in Chrysalis Books Group’s story. As a team we have a strong belief in the core business which has excellent potential.’ Robin Wood, Chief Executive

‘We want to publish the sort of innovative and imaginative books that the market needs.’ Polly Powell, Publishing Director

'This is a great chance to lay solid foundations that will serve us for years to come. We welcome all the support we have had from our suppliers, and will work with them to build a strong and successful business that will benefit us all.' David Proffit, Operations and Production Director

Comments from our colleagues around the world:

‘Fantastic news! We look forward to building our new publishing with you.’ John Stachiewicz, Publisher, The National Trust

‘All good wishes on this exciting development ... We look forward to continuing our growing business together.’ Paul Feldstein, Managing Director Trafalgar Square

‘Bravo à tous et tous mes vœux pour cette belle aventure’ Servane Biguais Directeur Général, Ouest France

‘Your team certainly has Raincoast's support … Here's to a good future’ Paddy Laidley, Raincoast Books

‘Fantastic news! … I hope to continue the good relationships I value, with you and all those I enjoy working with at Chrysalis.’ Katie McNeish, Scandinavian Sales Agent

‘We look forward to working with the new team … you can count on our continual support and energy to market your endeavours!’ Shirley Cooksley, Director, Quartet Sales & Marketing (PTY)ltd, South Africa

‘We wish you all the best in your new venture and look forward to continuing our business with you. I know it will go from strength to strength.’ Emma Dally, Editorial Director Book Publishing, National Magazine Company

About the Anova imprints:

Founded in 1843, Batsford is a list with an illustrious heritage that has built a tradition of excellence over 150 years. As a leading publisher of definitive books for the serious enthusiast and professional, we have developed an enviable reputation in embroidery and textiles, chess, heritage, horticulture, and more recently revitalized fashion and design.

Since launching in 1989, Collins & Brown quickly became a leading name in illustrated non-fiction publishing. We continue to create a wide range of practical titles from leading authors as well as household brands such as Good Housekeeping, Country Living, and Zest, and are foremost in the fields of craft and needlecraft, health and wellbeing, cookery and interiors, practical art, photography and popular culture.

Conway has been the leading publisher of books on naval history, shipping reference and maritime culture since 1972. It now also incorporates the military and aeronautical lists of Brassey’s and Putnam respectively.

National Trust Books is a brand new publishing venture for us, drawing upon the editorial expertise of the various imprint teams and launching in Autumn 2005 with two major titles; William Morris and Red House and Gardens of the National Trust. Spring 2006 will see new publishing in gift, heritage and lifestyle categories.

Pavilion Books was founded in 1981 and quickly forged a reputation for creating glamorous non-fiction and prestige gift books. It also proved the breeding ground for now-established talent such as Madhur Jaffrey. But Pavilion is more than a list of good authors – a panoply of much sought-after photographers and artists from Mario Testino to Arthur Rackham have been published and many, such as Jack Vettriano are now key players in the Pavilion stable. Pavilion is now the proud publisher of the new Agent Provocateur series of books.

Robson Books over a period of almost 30 years has published a quirky and successful list spanning a wide range of subject areas, including such top authors as Alan Coren, Matthew Parris, Tom Conti, Michael Winner, Jack Rosenthal, Maureen Lipman, John Motson, Dannie Abse, Alan Sillitoe, and Anne Hooper.

Our Contract publishing develops new books for our partners everywhere, from our own in-house imprints to some of the world’s most well-known retailers and publishers. We commission innovative, beautiful books from scratch as well as using our extensive backlist and image library creatively.