Jacaranda launches in the U.S.

Jacaranda Books launches stateside this year after a decade of taking the UK publishing industry by storm.

Now headquartered in New York and London, 2020 saw founder Valerie Brandes lead our team in a first across the UK publishing landscape: to publish our groundbreaking #TwentyIn2020 initiative. 

In our tenth year, we are bringing to market a specially curated 10th Anniversary Collection of titles to the U.S. — including Butterfly Fish and Speak Gigantular from award-winning author Irenosen Okojie, and the 2018 McKitterick Prize winner Radio Sunrise by Anietie Isong. In addition, this year sees the launch of our flagship non-fiction series, A Quick Ting On, which will also be making its way across the pond in early 2023. Created and commissioned by the trailblazing young publisher Magdalene Abraha, A Quick Ting On explores various topics of cultural relevance to the global Black community in a unique way, from Plantain and Afrobeats to women’s hair and fashion. 

Jacaranda CEO and founder, Valerie Brandes, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing Jacaranda Books to America showcasing stories that have been overlooked or pigeonholed for far too long, and which will resonate with the American reader longing to experience the African diaspora in fiction, nonfiction and poetry. We’re passionate about storytelling and our award-winning list has something for everyone. Launching in the USA represents an intentional step in the right direction, an opportunity for greater growth, and to speak directly to a larger audience hungry for books that expand on the experiences of Black and Brown people, working class people, LGBTQIA+ people, globally. We’re excited for what comes next for Jacaranda Books and our authors.” 

Author Njambi McGrath, whose non-fiction debut Through the Leopard's Gaze is the lead non-fiction title said: “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that my book would be available in America. This is a moment to savor.”