Industry Veterans Launch New Publishing Service Company

Fergus Edmondson and Merle Bennett have launched BeRead, a “complete publishing partner” that aims to work with authors and publishers across the U.K. and U.S. The company will focus on publishing strategy, promotion, brand development, campaign execution, and marketing, and offer access to “best-in-class” editors, designers, proofreaders, typesetters, and more.

Edmondson has more than 15 years of publishing experience in-house at Headline, Penguin Random House UK, Pan Macmillan, and, most recently, as a freelance marketing director. Bennett was formerly head of brand for James Patterson at PRH and brand manager for Jamie Oliver’s 5 Ingredients, and has more than 14 years of experience in brand marketing across the gaming and publishing industries.

“We know the publishing process inside out—from crafting a razor-sharp strategy to executing campaigns that deliver real results,” Edmondson said in a statement. “At BeRead, we provide tailored, actionable solutions so authors and publishers can focus on what they do best: creating. We handle the rest, giving their work the best chance to shine in a crowded market.”