About us
Search Press is the publisher of the world’s finest art and craft books. We specialize in producing stunning, practical books on knitting, crocheting, sewing, needlecraft – including cross stitch and embroidery, textiles, practical art and general crafts, such as pottery and woodwork, for people of all skill levels.
With a team of around 40 people, Search Press publishes up to 100 of its own titles every year, as well as distributing books for other publishers. From the commissioning of an original idea to the final delivery of books into the warehouse, the publishing process is carried out ‘in-house’. We have a strong, dedicated team working together to publish a fantastic range of titles: from the warehouse staff to the sales and marketing team, production department, customer services, accounts and designers and editors. With offices in Australia and the USA, we continue to expand and develop our list with new and exciting ideas.
Over 50 years of Search Press
The company was founded in 1970, when Charlotte (Lotti) de la Bédoyère published her first book, Basket Weaving, in an attic room in Kensington, London. Translated from a German book, this was to be the first of many titles. The thinking behind them was simple: to publish small, reasonably-priced books that were packed with practical information, offering crafters and needlecrafters new ideas and inspirational designs. Lotti went on include hot trends like pin and thread and candlemaking and the market loved them, so she continued by introducing full colour and a successful series of practical art books – the Leisure Arts.
In the early 1980s, Lotti moved to Tunbridge Wells, Kent, establishing a warehouse and offices in a quiet corner of the North Farm Industrial Estate – where we are today. She continued to publish a range of popular books, developing and commissioning new series and titles. In 1997, following her decision to retire, her son, Martin de la Bédoyère, took over as Managing Director, with his wife Caroline. Both with extensive publishing experience gained as directors at Heinemann, they continue to build on the strong traditions that Lotti had developed over the first 27 years of the company’s life.
Company Directors
The Board of Directors oversees the running of Search Press, and is made up of:
Martin de la Bédoyère – Managing Director
Caroline de la Bédoyère – Director
David Grant – Sales and Marketing Director
Samantha Warrington – Publishing Director
Editorial
Samantha Warrington – Publishing Director
Becky Robbins – Managing Editor
Edd Ralph – Senior Editor
Beth Harwood – Editor
Lyndsey Dodd – Editor
Emily Adam – Editor
Carrie Baker – Editor
Phoebe Bowers – Editorial Assistant
Sam is responsible for commissioning all of our titles, and she will be your point of contact with Search Press up until contracts have been exchanged. At this point she and Becky, the Managing Editor, will schedule your book and allocate you to one of our inhouse editors. The editor will be responsible for seeing your book through to publication, and will work closely with you every step of the way. Their aim is to ensure that the entire process runs as smoothly as possible; that it is enjoyable and rewarding; and that the overall vision for the book that you initially agreed with Sam is carried right through to publication.
Design
Juan Hayward – Head of Design
Marrianne Miall – Design Manager
Emma Sutcliffe – Design Assistant
The designers work closely with the editors at every stage of the editorial process and are responsible for the way your book looks, including the cover design.
Photography
We work alongside photographers who take step-by-step photos of our authors’ work at our photographic studio onsite at Search Press. Most of our styled shots are now sent out of house to freelance photographers.
Rights
Caroline de la Bedoyere – Director
All Search Press-produced books are available for licensing in all language and territories. For more information contact Caroline de la Bédoyère.
Accounts
Tracey Horsley – Accountant
Ana Plant – Accounts & Office Administrator
Tracey is responsible for the payment of your contract fees or royalties and the processing of the orders for your book. However, if you have any queries in this area, always ask your editor first!
Production
Inger Arthur – Production Manager
Alex Bastow – Production Controller
The Production team looks after the costing and printing of your book. Their job is to ensure that the quality of the printing, binding and colour reproduction is as high as possible, and that the book is delivered to our warehouse on time, and within budget.
Sales & Marketing
David Grant – Sales and Marketing Director
James Wheeler – UK & Ireland Sales Manager
Charlie Palmer-Joy – Commercial Manager
Kirsten Symington – Head of Marketing
Claire Lucas – Marketing Co-ordinator
Sophie Butrymowicz – Marketing Executive
Neve Hinton – Publicity Controller
Sophie Harper – Customer Service Supervisor
Louisa Church – Customer Service Operator
Gina Tingley-Smith – Customer Service Operator
After the contract is signed, the Sales and Marketing Team will start to actively promote your book, both to consumer and trade markets. The book is added to mailing lists and is promoted both in the UK and overseas during the run up to publication. Demonstrations, book signings, magazine articles and other active promotions are organised by the team after publication, and they also offer customer support and deal with any queries.
Warehouse
Mick Diplock – Senior Warehouse Manager
Phil Evans – Goods In Manager
Operatives
Andy Cole
Darren Nicholls
Greg Bialasik
David Stone
Martin Diplock
The Warehouse team is responsible for receiving stock of our books into our on-site warehouse and ensures that they go out to our readers in good condition and on time.
If you wish to contact any member of staff in our UK office, please email sales@searchpress.com and include the person’s name in the subject field.
SEARCH PRESS NORTH AMERICA
Website: www.searchpressusa.com
Email: northamerica@searchpress.com
SEARCH PRESS AUSTRALIA
Email: sales@searchpress.com.au
