Starting out in a small office in Dorset Street, London, the company quickly expanded, producing best sellers with each of its first two titles, Universe and Speeches that Changed the World. These titles have now generated sales of approximately 200,000 and 300,000 copies respectively, and both continue to sell strongly around the world.

Quercus relocated to new offices in Bloomsbury Square, close to the British Museum. Both the company and its list continued to grow – the 6 titles published in 2005 were joined by over 50 new books in 2006. At the same time, the Quercus team also expanded, from just 6 staff to over 20. Publishing highlights included the launch of an exciting crime fiction list, focussing on major authors such as Joseph Wambaugh, Peter Temple and Thomas H. Cook, and the introduction of a large-format illustrated list, featuring titles such as Cosmos, Complete Earth and New Worlds.

In July 2006 Quercus made its debut appearance on the UK bestseller lists with Peter Temple’s The Broken Shore, and by October the company had been listed on Plus Markets, attracting new levels of investment and ensuring a strong financial platform for future development.

2007 began with our first major literary prize, for Stef Penney’s The Tenderness of Wolves. It not only won the Costa Best First Novel Award, but was ultimately named as victor in the overall Book of the Year category. We were also pleased to be unveiled as one of three finalists at the Fast Growth Business Awards 2007, in the ‘PLUS New Company of the Year’ category. Interest in the company continues to intensify, with coverage including articles in the national and international press. The Financial Times said recently:

‘In its short life Quercus has become a poster child for the rising fortunes of small British publishers’.