By Anton Rippon
Sports journalists left in the lurch by the demise of Know The Score Books last month have seen some of their projects rescued by Pitch Publishing, a Brighton-based independent that has acquired the business and assets of the failed publisher.
Pitch’s Paul Camillin told sportsjournalists.co.uk: “At this stage we’re still awaiting delivery of all contracts, but two authors we have made contact with are David Tossell and Neil Clack, which we did a while ago with the administrator’s blessing. Their books are now ready to go to press.”
Buenos Aires-based freelance Clack should have seen his Animals! Argentina versus England in the bookshops on April 2, while Tossell, the head of European Public Affairs for the NFL, expected to see his Following On: A Year with English Cricket’s Golden Boys, published by Know The Score on May 5.
Authors published by Know The Score in the past included high-profile sports writers Harry Harris, Ivan Ponting, former Telegraph staffer Christopher Davies and radio broadcaster John Anderson, as well as one title published in co-operation with the Football Writers’ Association.
While any royalties owed to them at the time of the administration will see them lining up with Know The Score’s other creditors, they may see payment for new sales under Pitch. As Camillin said: “We’re only liable for royalties on the stock we inherit.”
Pitch, though, do intend to streamline the list it has taken on.
Pitch Publishing was established in 2002, focusing, according to Camillin “on quality sports with an eye for innovation”.
The company’s catalogue certainly contains some quirky looking titles as well as the more run-of-the-mill sports books. In March, England football boss Fabio Capello was at the launch of Pitch’s Eleven, a book that focuses on how football can transform the lives of disadvantaged people around the world.
Pitch Publishing’s Jane Camillin said: “Know the Score Books built up an extensive list of titles and unearthed some excellent and exciting new talent – and it is those reasons that ultimately attracted us to the business.
“The strategic fit and synergy between the two businesses is obvious. We already have a very good working relationship with the majority of Know the Score’s existing or target customers.”
Pitch Publishing supply a number of high-street chains, including Waterstones, WHSmith, Tesco, Asda and HMV, wholesalers like Gardners and Bertrams, and online sites such as Amazon, and is currently establishing a network of export reps working in a number of territories across the world.
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