HarperCollins

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Australian publisher, subsidiary of HarperCollins Publishers.

Last updated October 19, 2026

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Overview

HarperCollins is an international publishing group and a major operating division of News Corp. Its modern identity was created in 1990 when Harper & Row, the American publishing house acquired by News Corp in 1987, was combined with William Collins, Sons & Co., the British publisher acquired by News Corp in 1989. The resulting company brought together two substantial editorial traditions: the American Harper lineage, whose roots extend to the early nineteenth century, and the Scottish and British Collins business, founded in Glasgow in 1819. The HarperCollins name therefore represents both a corporate combination and a portfolio of longstanding publishing houses, imprints, copyrights, authors, and literary catalogs. The company publishes across consumer and professional categories. Its adult trade publishing includes commercial and literary fiction, crime, romance, science fiction and fantasy, biography, memoir, history, politics, business, self-help, health, lifestyle, cookery, religion, and inspirational books. Its children's and young-adult publishing operations encompass picture books, middle-grade fiction, teen fiction, educationally oriented titles, licensed properties, and nonfiction. The group also publishes audiobooks and ebooks, licenses intellectual property, distributes selected third-party catalogs, and operates specialist businesses serving Christian publishing, academic and professional readers, schools, and language-learning markets. HarperCollins operates through a large network of editorial divisions and imprints rather than as a single uniform list. Recognizable names associated with the group include William Morrow, Avon, Harper, Ecco, Dey Street, Harper Perennial, HarperCollins Children's Books, Clarion Books, Zondervan, Thomas Nelson, Collins, Fourth Estate, William Collins, One More Chapter, HQ, Mills & Boon, and Harlequin. The portfolio gives the company reach across both high-volume commercial publishing and prestige literary publishing. Its backlist includes influential works by major twentieth-century and contemporary authors, while its frontlist is supported by international rights sales, adaptations, publicity, digital marketing, retail partnerships, and audio distribution. News Corp's ownership has shaped HarperCollins' development through acquisitions and portfolio expansion. The company established HarperCollins Christian Publishing through the integration of Thomas Nelson and Zondervan, acquired Harlequin in 2014 to strengthen its global romance business, completed the purchase of Egmont Books UK in 2020, and acquired Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's Books & Media business in 2021. The HMH transaction added more than 7,000 titles and important children's, literary, fantasy, nonfiction, and educationally adjacent properties, including rights associated with The Lord of the Rings, Curious George, The Polar Express, Animal Farm, and The Little Prince. In 2022, HarperCollins Focus acquired Cider Mill Press, adding gift, cookbook, humor, and children's publishing capabilities. The group competes in a concentrated global trade-publishing market alongside Penguin Random House, Hachette Book Group, Simon & Schuster, and Macmillan. Its competitive position rests on editorial scale, recognizable imprints, international publishing infrastructure, direct relationships with authors and agents, rights exploitation, and the ability to distribute the same intellectual property in print, ebook, and audio formats. HarperCollins remains active in traditional bookselling while investing in digital discovery, online communities, audiobooks, and campaigns designed to connect books with specific audiences. Its present business combines the heritage of historic publishing houses with a multinational, multimedia approach to content development and rights management.

History

HarperCollins emerged from the combination of two historic publishing businesses. Harper & Brothers was established in New York in the nineteenth century and developed into one of the leading American publishers before later becoming Harper & Row. William Collins, Sons & Co. was founded in Glasgow in 1819 and grew into a major British publisher with strong positions in fiction, nonfiction, children's books, education, dictionaries, and reference works. News Corp acquired Harper & Row in 1987 and William Collins in 1989. In 1990, the two businesses were combined under the HarperCollins name. The merger created a publisher with a substantial English-language presence on both sides of the Atlantic and a portfolio that could support international rights licensing, global distribution, and cross-market publishing. The company retained numerous established editorial identities rather than eliminating them, allowing specialist imprints to address distinct genres and readerships. Over subsequent decades HarperCollins expanded beyond conventional adult trade publishing. Its children's business became a major part of the group, with picture books, middle-grade fiction, young-adult fiction, and licensed properties. Christian publishing was consolidated through the Thomas Nelson and Zondervan businesses, creating HarperCollins Christian Publishing. The group also developed or maintained educational and reference operations under Collins and related brands, while digital formats became increasingly important through ebooks, downloadable audio, online discovery, and rights exploitation. A major strategic expansion came with the acquisition of Harlequin, announced in 2014 and completed later that year. The transaction gave HarperCollins a stronger global position in romance and serialized commercial fiction, together with Harlequin's international publishing and direct-to-reader capabilities. The company continued to add specialist businesses and catalogs, including acquisitions connected with digital publishing and professional content. In 2020 HarperCollins completed the purchase of Egmont Books UK. The acquisition increased its scale in children's publishing in the United Kingdom. In March 2021 News Corp announced the proposed purchase of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's Books & Media segment for $349 million. The transaction closed in May 2021. It added more than 7,000 titles and important properties in children's books, fiction, literary publishing, fantasy, nonfiction, cookery, and lifestyle. The acquired catalog included works associated with J. R. R. Tolkien, George Orwell, Curious George, The Polar Express, Animal Farm, and The Little Prince. Integration was organized across existing HarperCollins divisions, with acquired editorial leaders reporting into the relevant adult and children's publishing structures. In 2022 HarperCollins Focus acquired Cider Mill Press. The deal broadened the group's gift-book, cookbook, humor, and children's offerings and brought Cider Mill Press and Applesauce Press into the Focus portfolio. HarperCollins has also used campaigns and partnerships to modernize book discovery. Examples include mobile and social promotions, author-centered digital campaigns, experiential advertising, bookstore events, festival appearances, and literacy initiatives. A 2017 #WhyIRead campaign marked the company's bicentennial heritage by inviting readers and authors to discuss the role of reading and supporting literacy charities. Today HarperCollins operates as News Corp's book-publishing arm and one of the largest international publishers. Its business spans print, ebook, and audio formats and serves readers, schools, libraries, retailers, online platforms, and professional customers. The group continues to rely on a combination of editorial judgment, recognizable imprints, author relationships, global rights, backlist management, and marketing scale. Its corporate structure reflects long-term consolidation in publishing, while its individual imprints preserve different editorial identities and specialist audiences.

2022
Cider Mill Press joins HarperCollins Focus
[5]HarperCollins Focus acquires Cider Mill Pressharpercollinsfocus.com
The acquisition adds gift, cookbook, humor, and children's publishing capabilities.
2021
HMH Books & Media acquisition completed
[2]News Corp announcement of HMH Books & Media acquisitionsec.gov
HarperCollins completes its $349 million acquisition of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's trade publishing business.
2020
Egmont Books UK acquisition completed
[4]HarperCollins completes Egmont acquisitionthebookseller.com
HarperCollins completes the purchase of the United Kingdom children's publisher Egmont Books UK.
2017
#WhyIRead campaign marks the company's bicentennial heritage
[6]HarperCollins #WhyIRead campaignthedrum.com
A global social and literacy initiative invited readers and authors to share why reading matters and included charitable support for literacy organizations.
2014
Harlequin joins HarperCollins
[7]William Collins, Sons & Co. is foundedharpercollins.com
The acquisition of Harlequin expands HarperCollins' international romance and commercial-fiction publishing.
1990
HarperCollins is formed
[7]William Collins, Sons & Co. is foundedharpercollins.com
Harper & Row and William Collins are combined under the HarperCollins name.
1989
News Corp acquires William Collins
[7]William Collins, Sons & Co. is foundedharpercollins.com
News Corp acquires the British publisher William Collins, Sons & Co.
1987
News Corp acquires Harper & Row
[7]William Collins, Sons & Co. is foundedharpercollins.com
News Corp acquires the American publishing house that forms one half of the modern HarperCollins combination.
1819
William Collins, Sons & Co. is founded
[7]William Collins, Sons & Co. is foundedharpercollins.com
The Glasgow publishing business that later became part of HarperCollins begins operations.

Products and positioning

A diversified global trade publisher that combines historic editorial houses, commercially successful genre and children's lists, literary publishing, Christian content, educational products, audiobooks, and extensive backlist rights.

Fiction and nonfiction
Adult trade books
HarperCollins publishes commercial and literary fiction alongside biography, memoir, history, politics, business, self-help, health, lifestyle, cookery, and other nonfiction. The adult list is distributed through multiple imprints, enabling separate editorial identities for literary, commercial, genre, and specialist audiences.
Children's publishing
Children's and young-adult books
The children's business publishes picture books, early readers, middle-grade fiction, young-adult fiction, nonfiction, gift books, and licensed properties. Its scale was strengthened by the Egmont Books UK and HMH Books & Media transactions, which added established children's authors, characters, and backlist titles.
Romance and commercial fiction · 2014
Harlequin
Harlequin is HarperCollins' major romance and commercial-fiction business. It publishes recurring series, category romance, women's fiction, and related commercial genres through an internationally recognized network of imprints and markets.
Religious and inspirational publishing · 2012
Christian publishing
HarperCollins Christian Publishing includes the Thomas Nelson and Zondervan businesses. Its list covers Bibles, devotional works, theology, Christian living, inspirational nonfiction, fiction, children's titles, and church or ministry resources.
Education and reference
Collins educational and reference publishing
Collins publishes educational resources, school materials, dictionaries, language-learning products, reference works, and digital resources. Its offerings serve schools, teachers, students, families, and general reference users in multiple markets.
Digital publishing
Audiobooks and ebooks
HarperCollins distributes digital editions of its books through ebooks and audiobooks. Digital formats extend the life of frontlist and backlist titles and support international distribution, subscription access, retail platform sales, and adaptation or licensing activity.

Controversies

2021
HarperCollins settles libel lawsuit over “Putin’s People”
HarperCollins and author Catherine Belton settled Roman Abramovich’s libel suit over passages in “Putin’s People” concerning his reasons for purchasing Chelsea Football Club. The settlement requires changes to certain passages; HarperCollins and Belton also apologized for aspects of the book that were not as clear as they would have liked.
Source
2020
Audible and publishers resolve Captions lawsuit
Audible and a group of publishers resolved their dispute over Audible Captions, a feature the publishers had alleged converted and distributed audiobook text without authorization. According to the source, the parties' attorneys said they expected to submit settlement documents by 21 January. The source provides no further details about the terms of the settlement or the outcome of the litigation beyond this expected filing.
Source

2024Unleashed memoir launch campaign
United Kingdom and international English-language markets
HarperCollins planned a high-profile publicity and marketing program for Boris Johnson's memoir Unleashed. The rollout included newspaper serialization, television, radio, podcast and print interviews, political-event activity, a literary-festival appearance, and a Waterstones event.
Outcome. The campaign was designed to make the memoir a major political and cultural media event around publication.
Source
2021Jeffrey Archer return publicity campaign
United Kingdom
HarperCollins UK promoted Jeffrey Archer's return to the publisher with a coordinated publicity campaign and a new cultural podcast supporting the author's launch activity.
Outcome. The campaign was positioned as a large-scale relaunch of a prominent commercial author after an extended period away from the publisher.
Source
2018BOSH! scented bus-shelter activation
United Kingdom
To promote the first cookbook from vegan cooking duo BOSH!, HarperCollins used a bus-shelter installation in London that combined food imagery with scent. The campaign targeted commuters at the time of day when they were likely to be thinking about food.
Outcome. The experiential execution was designed to make the cookbook feel tangible and memorable while supporting a broader digital and out-of-home launch.
Source
2017#WhyIRead
Global
A year-long social and literacy campaign asked authors and readers to explain the personal and cultural importance of reading. The program used the hashtags #WhyIRead and #hc200, published contributions from HarperCollins authors, and connected the anniversary activity with donations to literacy-focused charities.
Outcome. The campaign combined brand heritage, reader participation, author advocacy, and literacy philanthropy.
Source
2009Mobile interactive promotion for L.A. Candy, The Amanda Project, and Freakonomics
United States · Canada · and Australia
HarperCollins worked with QMcodes on a mobile campaign using two-dimensional codes, mobile websites, social features, video, and SMS. The pilot promoted selected young-adult and general-interest titles and was designed to move readers from physical books and advertising into mobile content.
Outcome. The initiative tested mobile and viral mechanisms for book discovery, especially among younger readers.
Source

Brand decisions

2022
Acquire Cider Mill PressM&A
Background
HarperCollins Focus pursued additional scale in gift books, cookbooks, humor, wine and spirits publishing, and children's products.
Action taken
HarperCollins Focus acquired Cider Mill Press and incorporated Cider Mill Press and Applesauce Press as imprints.
Aftermath
Cider Mill founder John Whalen Jr. continued as a consultant, while John Whalen III joined HarperCollins Focus as a publisher.
Source
2021
Acquire Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books & MediaM&A
Background
News Corp sought to expand HarperCollins' catalog and strengthen its position in a consolidating trade-publishing industry. HMH Books & Media brought a large backlist, children's properties, fiction, nonfiction, and audiobook and licensing opportunities.
Action taken
News Corp agreed to purchase the business for $349 million in cash and operate it through HarperCollins. The acquisition was completed in May 2021.
Aftermath
The transaction added more than 7,000 titles and was followed by an integration plan covering adult trade, children's publishing, distribution, manufacturing, and rights activity.
Purchase price. $349 million (Announced March 29, 2021; completed May 2021)
Source

Recent events

2024
HarperCollins launches publicity campaign for Boris Johnson memoir[11]Unleashed memoir launch campaigncorporate.harpercollins.co.uk
Campaign · Product launch
HarperCollins UK planned a broad publicity and marketing rollout for Boris Johnson's memoir Unleashed, combining newspaper serialization, broadcast interviews, podcast activity, literary-festival appearances, bookstore events, and coordinated audience research.
2022
HarperCollins Focus acquires Cider Mill Press[5]HarperCollins Focus acquires Cider Mill Pressharpercollinsfocus.com
M&A
HarperCollins Focus acquired Cider Mill Press, adding gift books, cookbooks, wine and spirits titles, humor books, and children's publishing. Cider Mill Press and Applesauce Press became imprints in the Focus portfolio.
2021
HarperCollins agrees to acquire HMH Books & Media[2]News Corp announcement of HMH Books & Media acquisitionsec.gov
M&A
News Corp announced an agreement for HarperCollins to acquire Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's Books & Media business for $349 million in cash. The transaction was intended to expand HarperCollins' catalog, children's publishing, audiobook activity, and licensing opportunities.
2021
HarperCollins completes purchase of HMH Books & Media[3]Publishers Weekly: HarperCollins completes purchase of HMH Tradepublishersweekly.com
M&A
HarperCollins completed the HMH trade-publishing acquisition and began integrating the acquired employees, authors, imprints, and titles into its operating structure.
2021
News Corp agrees to acquire Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books & Media[2]News Corp announcement of HMH Books & Media acquisitionsec.gov
M&A
News Corp announced an agreement to acquire HMH’s Books & Media segment and operate it through HarperCollins. The transaction was intended to enlarge HarperCollins’s backlist and strengthen its children’s, young-adult, audio and licensing businesses.
2021
HarperCollins completes acquisition of Pavilion Books[14]HarperCollins 完成对 Pavilion Books 的收购thebookseller.com
M&A
HarperCollins completed its acquisition of Pavilion Books, expanding its specialist publishing portfolio, particularly in illustrated, lifestyle and related nonfiction categories.
2020
HarperCollins completes Egmont Books UK acquisition[4]HarperCollins completes Egmont acquisitionthebookseller.com
M&A
The company completed its acquisition of children's publisher Egmont Books UK, strengthening its United Kingdom children's publishing portfolio.

Sources17 sources

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