MAIN NEWS HEADLINES
December 15-31, 2005 Edition
Random House
To Distribute Japans
Vertical Book Titles
NEW YORK, NY/12/10/05Vertical Inc., which translates contemporary Japanese books into English, has formally announced that Random House Distribution will now exclusively handle the companys North American distribution and sales, effective January 1, 2006. Vertical was formerly distributed through National Book Network, since the translation companys founding in 2003.
Random Houses third party distribution services include sales representation to both the chain and independent channels, marketing to the book trade and academic, library and retail markets, and fulfillment of all orders in North America. Verticals UK distribution will remain with Turnaround Publishers Services.
Verticals investors had been pressing the company to find better ways to handle its potential growth and enhance the value of its portfolio. Vertical President, Hiroki Sakai, said he has been amazed at how passionate and dedicated they [Random House] are to us as people.
In Summer 2006, Vertical will introduce a new line of paperback editions from hardcover originals, and will add more new properties in Fall 2006.
Vertical translations include popular novels, graphic novels, and quality nonfiction from Japans robust book market.
Until Verticals publications, most Japanese books translated into English have been either literary classics or introductions to traditional culture meant for a limited circle of Japanophiles. Vertical publishes titles that require no prior knowledge of Japanese culture and are not intended primarily to familiarize readers with it. The company focuses on good reads with universal themes.