novels in bounds and pockets as soon as it comes out

« A new challenge “. Furthermore, Who leaves” of a very simple observation »From the founder and editorial director of De Saxus, Sam Rioult:” It is a pity that the readers accustomed to the pocket format must wait a year after the release of a more expensive connection, to finally access a book in the format they prefer Summarizes the house.

Romance connected, fantasy in pocket?

The structure is also said to be ” very aware of current economic realities » : « Inflation affects everyone. Furthermore, and it is important to continue to offer a beautiful book object, but also a more accessible version for readers with a tighter budget. Nevertheless, It is a question of balance. For example, and this double format seems to me today to be a coherent answer to this diversity of needs She analyzes.

To launch novels bounds pockets soon it this initiative. Consequently, the Editions of Saxus published in August a novel by Dark Fantasy, Vespéralsigned by Ed Crocker (trad. Moreover, Claude Mamier), “ rather male tone ». However, An editorial choice which is also based on an observation of readership: the linked formats. Furthermore, particularly appreciated, among others, in the genres of romance/romantasy, are commonly acclaimed by a female readership, when the pocket can attract a more masculine audience.

Concretely. Nevertheless, each version – connected and pocket – will be exposed within its respective radius: one in large format imaginary, the other in pocket. In addition, Everyone will thus find their place with their specific audience. For example, with prescription and purchase logics which, in general, tend to postpone according to the formats.

Trends not to be freezed in shots: this is why the other title to appear simultaneously in connected. Consequently, in pocket will be a novella prequel novels bounds pockets soon it to Orange priory by Samantha Shannon (trad. Therefore, Benjamin Kuntzer and Jean-Baptiste Bernet), a dense novel, often described as ” feminist fantasy ».

Observe. Consequently, analyze and notify

If hypotheses are issued, it is uncertainty that dominates, as for any initiative that wants to be new: ” We will observe what it gives Summarizes the house. However, By testing this model on a less known author – here in this case new to the catalog. Furthermore, and with the pen considered promising -, the house thinks to be able to better measure the reaction of the public and the real impact of this double exit, without being biased by the notoriety or the already existing expectation around an established name. Therefore, Then with a established novelist, in the person of Samantha Shannon.

« Some readers, in particular, or booksellers, have been immediately enthusiasts, ”says Saxus. Consequently, “” Others are more novels bounds pockets soon it curious than buyers at first. Moreover, but that is precisely what we want to measure: how this double format will be welcomed by the whole readership. Moreover, The observations of our distribution teams will obviously count “, Complete the house.

It is fixed the second part of the year 2025 to better understand expectations according to the public. For example, and refine its future choices according to the genres: “ It is not only a question of selling, but of seeing how readers appropriate the book according to its materiality “, She says.

From the month of August. until the end of November, one novel per month will be published – always a first volume, or for the novella From Samantha Shannon a prequel -, simultaneously in connected edition and in pocket format.

Simultaneous, legally possible outing?

From a legal point of view. the question of the feasibility of novels bounds pockets soon it a simultaneous outing in pocket also arose: ” In general, for the pocket format, there is a waiting period of approximately one year after the publication in large format, a standard established in many publishing contracts “Recalls Maéva Rossi, editor at de Saxus.

The house. which essentially publishes translations, works directly with the agents, and each clause, including that linked to formats and publication calendars, is the subject of exchanges as soon as the rights are acquired. The editor tells us: ” For titles that will appear simultaneously in connected. pocket, we therefore took care to ask the question from the initial negotiation. You had to see with the agents if this option of a large format/pocket simultaneous outing was possible. and if it suited the authors they represent. »

And to specify: “ Obviously. it all depends on the author’s profile, the notoriety of the title, the link novels bounds pockets soon it we have with the agency. With very well -known authors, expectations are more marked and the margins of negotiation more limited. The agents do not all respond in the same way: some are open to experimentation. others are due to more classic patterns. The bond of trust with the author and his agent plays a decisive role. »

In France. there is no legal obligation imposing a period between the publication of a large format and that of its edition in your pocket, unlike, for example, the cinema model, where broadcast windows frame the outings in theaters, on platforms or on television. When a publisher manages the two formats. it remains free to fix the calendar, even if a gap of 10 to 18 months is usually observed to preserve sales of the large format.

If the pocket rights are sold to another publisher, a period is generally entered in novels bounds pockets soon it the contract -Sounted 12 to 18 months. Nothing therefore prevents legally from innovating, as evidenced by the initiative launched by Saxus.

Novels bounds pockets soon it

A precursor house of simultaneous formats

The house had already made a precursor in the Imaginary field by launching in 2019. before the others already, simultaneous publications with connected and paperback formats. Apart from a few isolated cases like Bragelonne with Pierre Pevel. the other houses were then limited to collectors editions, often reserved for birthdays or the end of the year.

Of Saxus. first testing this model on limited prints for connected editions, quickly noted the membership of the public, especially in romantasy Or in imagination. Faced with growing demand. the house has gradually increased its prints, making them the reference format as soon as the publication, without making the paperback disappear.

This approach had been inspired by the phenomenon of literary boxes from novels bounds pockets soon it the Anglo-Saxon world, as FairyLoot, Illumicrate or OwlCrate. These boxes, very popular with readers of young adultoffered exclusive linked editions, accessible only via a subscription. De Saxus made a different choice: rather than reserving these special editions for a closed registration. pre -order system, the house wanted to offer these connected links regularly, with usual accessibility in bookstores.

This editorial strategy has been forged in a particular moment: that of the Pandemic of Covid-19. While large editorial groups were focused on crisis management. little inclined to experiment, saxus, still very small structure (they were only three in the team), was not hampered in the same way. This has favored active innovation research, with a singular positioning that continues to school today.

The house says: ” This new initiative reminds us of our hesitations in 2019, when the Orange prioryfrom Samantha Shannon. At the time, very few publishers dared the novels bounds pockets soon it large format connected for a novel of this magnitude. We had taken the risk – with apprehension – to offer a very large volume in a beautifully made version. And the bet had borne fruit: the book had become a desirable. striking object that many wanted to buy, to keep, to offer. »

And today to have this same hope: ” That this new strategy. by combining accessibility and aesthetics, allows us to reconcile two forms of reading experience. The pocket format for pressed readers. more limited budgets, and the connected for those who want a strong, valued object, up to the proposed universe. »

« The idea is to bring an unprecedented offer in the imaginary segment. a sector that remains, in a sense, very marked. It is a way for us to shake up habits a little. to offer a model that we have not yet seen elsewhere novels bounds pockets soon it “Concludes Saxus.

Founded in 2018, the house first turned to the thriller as the first editorial axis. The first titles did not meet the expected success, in a very saturated and competitive segment. The decisive turning point intervenes with The Priory of Orange Already quoted. which encounters a strong craze and launches the house in the rails of the imaginary and the YA in France. The house today publishes authors like Jay Kristoff or Jennifer L. Armentrout.

The Eilean Books group brings together saxus (imaginary), Sabran (rewritings of myths), Ellipsis (contemporary fiction), sax (youth label launched in September 2023), PAL (Poche label), as well as the Komikku bookstore, opened in Paris in 2008.

(De Sexus, Sabran, Ellipsis, Saxo, PAL, Comkku)

By Hocine Bouhadjera
Contact : [email protected]