ACL renews partnership with HarperCollins

HarperCollins and Agatha Christie Ltd have signed a new global deal to continue their English language publishing relationship until 2030. HarperCollins has been Christie’s publisher since the publication of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by William Collins in 1926, and the deal for print, digital and audio formats continues one of the longest-running partnerships in publishing history.

HarperCollins’ sales of Agatha Christie have exceeded 10 million copies since the last contract renewal in 2010, growing each year to a peak of more than 3 million copies at the time of the Murder on the Orient Express movie from Fox. The additional success of commissioning Sophie Hannah to write an ongoing series of Hercule Poirot novels has brought new enthusiasm for the whole Agatha Christie canon among both readers and retailers.

James Prichard, Chairman and CEO of Agatha Christie Ltd, said: ‘I am delighted that the strong partnership between ACL and HarperCollins will continue into the next decade. HarperCollins' ongoing dedication to my great grandmother’s works, and their innovation in publishing, ensure that new audiences continue to discover her timeless stories.’

Brian Murray, President and CEO, HarperCollins Worldwide, said: ‘Over the last decade, HarperCollins teams around the globe have worked with Agatha Christie Ltd to reposition and extend one of the truly global author franchises for the next generation of Christie fans. We’re thrilled to continue the amazing relationship between Agatha Christie and her editor, publisher and friend, William Collins, that began in 1926 and led to one of the most prolific and enduring partnerships of the last century.’

Charlie Redmayne, CEO, HarperCollins UK, said: ‘Agatha Christie is the Queen of Crime and I am very proud that her reign will continue at HarperCollins into a second century, her extraordinary influence and appeal undimmed.’

With the new deal taking Agatha Christie through the milestone of more than a century of book publishing, HarperCollins continues to work closely with Agatha Christie Limited to create synergies with their innovative programme of film, television, and other licensing activity, with ambitious plans for the years ahead shaped by an ever-evolving publishing landscape.