Hot Key Books Launches in U.K.

Bonnier Publishing has unveiled the name of its newest children's book imprint: Hot Key Books. As previously announced, Sarah Odedina, formerly group editor-in-chief of Bloomsbury's children's fiction, is the managing director. She started in her post Sept. 12.

Hot Key Books, which will be based in central London, will focus on children's fiction books for ages 9+. Plans are to publish between 30-50 titles a year, starting from fall 2012.

The company name derives from the power of stories to open doors and feed the imagination of readers, Odedina says. Hot Key Books seeks to unlock the power of reading, a love of books and a joy of stories for readers of all ages. It also reflects the digital age in which we now live through its association with 'hot key' commands - the short cut command on a keyboard.

"I am so excited about this new venture and I wanted a logo and a name that radiated energy and dynamism," says Odedina, commenting on the new imprint and name. "Hot Key Books encapsulates that ethos. It will fit wonderfully with the books that we will publish; books that will unlock stories and the joy of reading for young readers in either the print or digital format."

Odedina will be recruiting a new team to work with her at Hot Key Books over the next few months.

"Starting a new children's publishing venture in these challenging financial times requires us to have the best person in the business and this we have achieved by Sarah joining us from Bloomsbury," says Richard Johnson, Group CEO, Bonnier Publishing. "We would not have started the company without one of the top publishers in the U.K. leading it and we fully intend to surround her with the best team possible to achieve our goal of becoming a major force in this sector."