Publisher in vow on contracts to authors

AUTHORS have inundated an independent publisher with concerns over their future after one of the firm’s co-founders suddenly quit.

Adrian Searle, director at Glasgow-based Freight Books, left the company citing “differences over strategic direction”.

Director Davinder Samrai, who set up the business with Mr Searle, has said existing contracts would be honoured.

But Mr Samrai admitted: “Following the departure of Adrian, my team and I have received numerous concerned calls and emails from authors about the status of their books and the imprint’s future publishing activities.

“We are responding to a unplanned situation and are actively working to take all necessary steps to ensure Adrian’s sudden departure causes minimal disruption.”

He said: “Yesterday, my team and I met several stakeholders, including Publishing Scotland, Creative Scotland and Booksource, who have been fully briefed on the unprecedented circumstances, and who continue to be supportive.

“I am keen to reiterate and reassure all our authors and their agents, as well as others with whom we work within the Scottish publishing community, that Freight Books is committed to meeting all our contractual obligations.”