Arcadia Books Wins Diversity Award

It really seems to be the Best Week Ever for Arcadia Books. First Arcadia wins the IPG Diversity Award:

The award was given to Arcadia ‘in recognition of its success in promoting books from disparate cultures. In 2007 it combined its commitment to diversity with record sales, critical acclaim and literary awards, and judges praised its efforts to work with translators to make foreign fiction more accessible in the UK. “Arcadia has shown a passionate commitment to diversity for a long time, and its support of work in translation is outstanding. They know how tough the market is, yet have still managed to make their list work commercially.”’

Then is shortlisted for the UK Trade & Investment International Achievement of the Year Award ’08.

‘Arcadia was lauded for working in both directions internationally – bringing in books from overseas and selling content back again. Arcadia has shown great entrepreneurship in finding new markets and clearly takes great pride in its books.’

Sonny Leong, Arcadia’s chair, comments as follows: ‘Arcadia has come a long way in twelve years, and celebrates its diversity with a list that features writers from over 30 countries. Our purchase of BlackAmber three years ago – an acquisition made possible with Arts Council England funding – has enabled the company to expand its black and multi-ethnic titles, as well as publishing a list with 50% of its titles in translation. I am delighted at this outstanding success.’

Just to think, a few short months ago ACE was threatening to cut its support for Arcadia . . .