Dutch Treats

With such a lot of translated European crime novels reaching the shores of Britain and the United States, it’s easy to forget about the numerous English-first works that are translated into French, German, Dutch, Swedish, and other languages for export to the European mainland. Rienk Tychon doesn’t forget, though.

I first met Tychon at the London Book Fair a few years ago, and we have kept in touch ever since. He’s a champion of English-language works in Europe. And I am pleased to learn that he is expanding that sector further by starting a new imprint under the wing of Dutch Media-Uitgevers. This new company will publish both literary and commercial fiction. An ambitious acquisition program will be aimed at the best books in each genre, from literary to historical fiction, thrillers to chillers, science fiction to fantasy, and graphic novels to manga. I’m told that the first international acquisitions and the name of the new house will be made public shortly.

Rienk Tychon has been in publishing for 15 years, most recently serving as editor-in-chief of Luitingh-Sijthoff, the largest independent publishing group in Holland. He was among the four editors who acquired The Da Vinci Code before publication. Among the authors he has introduced to Dutch and Belgian readers are Ian Rankin, Neil Gaiman, Michael Marshall, Katherine Neville, James Rollins, Neal Stephenson, and Edward Whittemore. He also grew the readership of authors such as Lee Child, Mo Hayder, Joseph Finder, Thomas Harris, and Stephen King.

Of his new published venture, Tychon writes:

We will be an upmarket publisher of literary and commercial titles in a variety of genres and formats. Upmarket, but not elitist. The boundaries between literature and genre weaken, and we consider that a good thing. We mean to add our own mix to the brew, marry commercial marketing to literary standards, tap the power of Internet 2.0 and reach out to reading groups.

The first titles from this new house are expected to roll out in the spring of next year, so it might be worth speaking to your agent and publisher about opportunities here. For more information about this venture, contact Rienk Tychon directly at rienk@dutch-media.nl, or write to him at Dutch Media, P.O. Box 205, 1000 AE Amsterdam, The Netherlands. And tell him The Rap Sheet sent you.