The biggest publisher in the world: House of the Random Penguin?

The emergence of the world’s biggest book publisher was announced today. Sadly, it won’t be called “House of the Random Penguin”, as our Arts Editor Becky Ayre suggested, but Penguin Random House. Random House owner Bertelsmann will own 53% of the newly created group, and Penguin owner Pearson 47%. Apparently, Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, who owns HarperCollins, had tried to gatecrash the wedding, but didn’t get there in time, which probably relieves many. It is estimated that the new mammoth publisher will be responsible for a quarter of English language books worldwide. Is this a good thing, especially for authors and readers? Read Forbes“rapid reaction” piece to the news.

Emily Ding

About Emily Ding

Emily joined Litro in April 2012 as Literary Editor & Web Designer. She made over the website and introduced new developmental and editorial features to strengthen Litro's online presence. She left her position in January 2013, taking a backseat as Contributing Editor to concentrate on writing. She is a freelance journalist with a special interest in travel writing and foreign reporting (with an inclination for Asia and Latin America), and is now based in Malaysia. English is her native language, but she also speaks Mandarin and Spanish, having spent 2007-08 travelling in Central America.

Emily joined Litro in April 2012 as Literary Editor & Web Designer. She made over the website and introduced new developmental and editorial features to strengthen Litro's online presence. She left her position in January 2013, taking a backseat as Contributing Editor to concentrate on writing. She is a freelance journalist with a special interest in travel writing and foreign reporting (with an inclination for Asia and Latin America), and is now based in Malaysia. English is her native language, but she also speaks Mandarin and Spanish, having spent 2007-08 travelling in Central America.