Penguin Random House will launch INKLORE, a new global pop-comics imprint dedicated to publishing “the best in manga, manhua, manhwa, webcomics adaptations, and light novels.” The first project for INKLORE will be a print edition of the hit romance manga Loving Yamada at Lv999! (My Love Story With Yamada-kun at Lv999). Mangamo holds the global English rights.
Fans of Korean romance novels also have something to look forward to as Under the Oak Tree by Kim Suji is getting an official print English release as well. RIDI Corporation is the rights holder for the novel, which can currently be read on the Web Novel website. The first volume of the physical edition is scheduled for the summer of 2024. Cherry Blossoms After Winter, a BL story by Bamwoo, is also getting a print edition in early 2024. Tappytoon holds the rights for the manhwa.
Northern Lights, a Norwegian young-adult fantasy graphic novel series by Malin Falch, and The Heavens by Lev Grossman (The Magicians) and Eisner nominated Lilah Sturges (Girl Haven) are also getting print editions in 2024 and 2027, respectively. All three of The Heavens books will be released.
According to the press release, the newly created INKLORE imprint will be led in the U.S. by Keith Clayton, VP & Deputy Publisher, Random House Worlds. Editorial oversight of the imprint will be driven by Rebecca “Tay” Taylor, Editorial Director. In the UK, the program will be spearheaded by Ben Brusey, Publishing Director at Century, with Kate McHale, Senior Commissioning Editor at Del Rey UK, leading the editorial vision. Both teams are acquiring books for both domestic and global publication distribution. This combined US and UK team will also be working closely with colleagues in Penguin Random House North Asia, with the goal of bringing the voices of international creators and storytellers to an eager global audience of readers.
“At INKLORE, we are building a new home for creators of emotionally rich, visually dynamic, and transportive stories from around the world,” said Taylor. “As an imprint of Random House Worlds, INKLORE will offer creators a multitude of opportunities to connect with a voracious global audience. We welcome storytellers from all backgrounds whose stories rekindle the effortless pleasure of reading for fun. I am so excited about the phenomenal titles we have signed so far, and I can’t wait to meet fans at Anime Expo in Los Angeles on July 1st.”
Source: Press Release