Joffe Books has acquired crime and thriller specialist Ostara Publishing, taking over its “superlative” list.
Jasper Joffe, CEO of Joffe Books, has reached an agreement with Ostara owner Andrew Cocks for an undisclosed sum after Cocks said he was “no longer able” to continue the press.
The indie will take over the Ostara roster of around 120 titles, releasing new editions in late 2022 and 2023. Ostara specializes in reissuing titles that have gone unavailable, with books from the 1920s through the 21st century on its roster.
Joffe Books will retain the Ostara name, calling the new releases “Joffe Books presente Ostara Classics”. Mike Ripley, award-winning crime writer and former Ostara consulting editor, was approached to write new introductions to Ostara classics.
Publishing Director of Joffe Books, Kate Lyall Grant, said: “Ostara has a well-deserved reputation for the exceptional quality of its Crime List, and with Joffe Books’ commercial success and expertise in the digital market, we believe this is the ideal solution to reach a new, widespread readership for these fantastic books.”
“We will stay true to the spirit of Ostara,” she added.
Cocks added: “Unfortunately I am no longer able to publish new books and give my existing titles the attention they deserve in a rapidly developing publishing environment. I am delighted to have found in Joffe Books a kindred spirit to take over the Ostara list of authors and I truly believe that Joffe will give Ostara authors the opportunity to reach new readers and thrive. It has been a privilege to have been involved in all those books and I couldn’t have asked for a better home for them.
