Bonnier Books UK Partners with AFS for Literary Scouting

Bonnier Books UK has formalized an arrangement with Alanna Feldman Scouting (AFS) to serve as its literary scout across both adult and children’s segments. This partnership, which began in October 2024, has already facilitated several successful acquisitions.

Scouting Achievements Since October

During the trial period, AFS has significantly contributed to Bonnier’s editorial efforts, helping secure several noteworthy projects, including:

• I’ll Never Call Him Dad Again by Caroline Darian (LEAP)
• Overdue by Stephanie Perkins (Zaffre)
• The Lies That Summon the Night by Tessonja Odette (Zaffre)
• Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe by CB Lee (Hot Key Books)

Leadership Insights

Sarah Benton, co-chief executive of Bonnier Books UK, noted the immediate positive influence AFS has had on their acquisition strategy. “We have seen an instant impact in our acquiring since taking on AFS as our scouts,” Benton remarked, emphasizing the team’s dedication to understanding the unique preferences of their editors. This tailored approach has led to successful matches between the publishing house’s needs and AFS’s scouting insights.

Support for Children’s Literature

Helen Wicks, the Managing Director of Children’s Trade at Bonnier, expressed enthusiasm about AFS’s impact specifically on the children’s publishing side. Wicks highlighted the work of Hannah Ekren from AFS, praising her “impeccable instincts” and her collaborative style, both of which have made a notable difference in their operations.

A Shared Vision for Growth

Alanna Feldman reflected on the partnership, stating, “Working with Bonnier Books UK has been an absolute delight.” She acknowledged the strong vision and supportive environment created by Bonnier’s leadership, suggesting that this collaboration is well-suited to foster future success in the literary market.

Towards Future Growth

With AFS’s insights already yielding positive results, Bonnier Books UK is optimistic about leveraging this partnership as part of their broader growth strategy in the UK and English-language markets for years to come.