18 July 2013
On one of the hottest days of the year so far a crowd of well-wishers gathered at the Oxford offices of David Fickling Books to celebrate the publisher’s transition from imprint to independent publisher. After a decade publishing from within the Random House Group, DFB has gone solo.
Appropriately it wasn’t a large or lavish affair: a tea-time party with home-made cakes and plenty of fizz, and gossip and laughter in and out of the spacious rooms of the Georgian building in Oxford’s Beaumont Street crowded with copies of DFB’s past books, awards and artwork. Authors and agents, publishers and investors, friends and family and their children joined in the relaxed and upbeat atmosphere. Ted Dewan in a straw hat! Richard Dawkins in a summery green tie! Kathy Peyton in a floral blouse!
David Fickling and Richard Dawkins
In the garden David made a short speech testifying to the excitement of the venture, the thrill of publishing the best stories – both fictional and non-fictional. Simon Mason (MD) made a short speech testifying to David’s sheer, bloody-minded, pig-headed determination to achieve the very best. Philip Pullman presented David with a gift to mark the moment, and the last of the guests went home in the twilight.
The premises are occupied, the website is up, and DFB is open for business.
Left to right: Simon Mason, Philip Pullman, David Fickling