A&C Black 2001

A&C Black are specialist book publishers in the fields of: ceramics; children’s education, fiction and music; the performing arts; reference; sport; travel (Blue Guides); and writing. A&C Black’s imprints include Adlard Coles Nautical (sailing), Christopher Helm and Pica Press (ornithology) and Herbert Press (visual arts). Here are a few of our successes from these different areas.

Writers' and Artists' Yearbook 2002

With its distinctive red and yellow cover, the new 95th edition of this best-selling media guide continues to out perform its competitors. This one-volume bible is packed with up-to-date information on all areas of the media for every writer and artist - indeed many a successful writer has had their first break through a contact found in the book. As well as lots of contact details this edition also includes articles on E-publishing, digital imaging for writers, web sites for artists and tips on marketing books.

Writing Handbooks

There are three new titles in the fast-growing Writing Handbooks series this autumn Writing Poetry, Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction, Marketing you book: An author's guide. These practical guides to writing techniques and markets are all written by established authors and give expert advice from development of ideas to preparing the work, achieving publication and avoiding the pitfalls along the way.

The Theatres Trust Guide to British Theatres 1750-1950

This autumn The Theatres Trust Guide to British Theatres 1750-1950 has been shortlisted for the prestigious Library Association/Whitaker Reference Awards 2001 for The Bestman/McColvin Medal for Outstanding Work of Reference: Print Category. In addition to its critical assessment of more than 650 theatres, this guide contains details of hundreds of lost theatres and biographical notes on the principal theatre architects.

The Duchess of Malfi

The new (4th) edition of The Duchess of Malfi in the New Mermaids series is enjoying high sales since it's publication. This important play has been completely re-edited for the benefit of today's users, whether students, playgoers or actors.

Blue Guide

Blue Guide travel guide sales continue to benefit from high profile marketing campaigns including the bmi British Midland competition to win flights to six European cities. The destinations enjoying the highest sales this autumn are, Blue Guide Northern Italy (Italy is the perennial favourite destination of Blue Guide travellers), Blue Guide Albania and Kosovo, an indispensable guide for the professionals visiting and working in this area, and finally Blue Guide Dublin in the newly launched City Guides format.

Ornithology

Raptors of the World is probably the most eagerly awaited identification guide, covering the world's 313 species of birds of prey. In this landmark volume each species is illustrated by adult, juvenile and selected immature plumages, as well as main geographical races and colour morphs: over 2000 perched and flying birds are illustrated, some with typical prey. Further successes in the ornithology list include The Birds of Ecuador, a weighty two volume tome which comprehensively treats all the species (nearly 1600) that can be found in mainland Ecuador, and Sylvia Warblers which describes in detail identification, taxonomy and phylogeny of all species of Old World warbler in the genus Sylvia.

Arts, Crafts and Ceramics

Comprehensive and innovative, the Printmaking Handbooks offer practical and invaluable advice to beginners and experienced printmakers. With four books published and two more coming soon, they have been eagerly received, with sales far exceeding expectations. RHS Gold Medal Award winner and internationally acclaimed artist Coral G Guest is the author of Painting Flowers in Watercolour: a naturalistic approach, a stunning book with a captive audience among professional and amateur flower painters and indeed anyone with a love of beautiful paintings of flowers.

Sport

Speed, agility and quickness are the buzzwords on the sports scene and SAQ Soccer and SAQ Rugby by Alan Pearson bring these skills from the professional arena, where they are used by international, European and national teams, to amateur sportsmen, their coaches and trainers.

Adlard Coles Nautical

Adlard Coles Nautical has enjoyed a very successful 2001 with numerous contenders for the bestseller list, from Learning to Sail - in small boats or large and The RYA Book of Knots to Boatowner's Practical and Technical Cruising Manual, Sell Up and Sail and Fatal Storm. For racers there were two important reference titles this year: Paul Elvstrom Explains the Racing Rules of Sailing (14th edition) and The Rules Book 2001-2004 (7th edition) both covering the new rules for 2001-2004. The former providing the new racing rules with careful analysis of each rule and the latter covering the rules by race situation and looking at which rules apply.

Children

The children's list continues to be a star performer for A&C Black. The Developing Literacy and Developing Numeracy series continue to dominate the teachers' photocopiable activity books market with new strands including Poetry and Measures, Shape and Space. The Book about Books by Chris Powling and Scoular Anderson has been particularly well received in schools by teachers and children alike for its light-hearted but informed look at the world of books. Talking Drums: An anthology of Poems from Africa South of the Sahara has been widely acclaimed for the excellent way in which these poems introduce children to a different and vibrant culture. Last but not least Cartoon History of the Earth is a new series of four lively comic-style books which retell the story of the Big Bang, evolution, dinosaurs and the beginning of mankind.

Children's’ music

In children's music the new recorder tutor - Recorder Magic- has got off to a flying start with the first printing of Book 1 sold out in record time! The Recorder Magic website provides all the teachers' notes and tips to go with the books and demonstrations of the CDs with downloadables and games. A nationwide, rolling programme of workshops will ensure that sales of this new tutor continue to grow and to establish Recorder Magic as the favourite tutor of teachers and students alike.