Bloomsbury US has eliminated five positions in its children’s division, a Bloomsbury representative has confirmed. According to multiple literary agents, who spoke with PW on condition of anonymity, the positions cut included an editor, creative director, associate publicist, designer, and an employee in the production department; in addition, at least one planned title was cut.
In a statement, the company called the cuts “part of a strategic shift toward publishing a more curated list,” adding: “Bloomsbury US is a strong and thriving business, and these changes were limited solely to the children’s division. These decisions were not taken lightly for the affected individuals and the broader organization. We are committed to supporting impacted employees and ensuring they receive the help and resources needed.”
The layoffs follow slower growth in 2024 for the U.K.-based Bloomsbury Publishing compared to the double-digit revenue growth it saw in each of the three previous years, much of which was due to the strength of sales for titles by romantasy superstar Sarah J. Maas. In 2023, Bloomsbury’s American arm saw an astonishing 80% bump in revenue, to $240.9 million, which helped the publisher notch a 30% gain in revenue overall. Last year’s results were more modest, with the company recording an overall revenue increase of 5%; the U.S. division represented nearly all the growth for the company in 2024.
Bloomsbury US launched its children’s division in 2002, and has published such authors as Kalynn Bayron, Shannon Hale, Brigid Kemmerer, Emery Lord, Kate Messner, Renée Watson, and Salina Yoon.
