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Grand Central Publishing Launches Cardinal Imprint
The establishment of Cardinal, a new imprint at Grand Central Publishing, has been officially announced by Reagan Arthur. This boutique label is set to kick off its inaugural list with ten titles, scheduled for release through the winter of 2027. Arthur’s return to the Hachette Book Group follows a successful tenure as the publisher of Knopf and a previous role at Little, Brown.
Cardinal intends to release six new titles annually, commencing with The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey, which is slated for this upcoming fall. Additional titles on the horizon include The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage and The Golden Boy by Patricia Finn, both earmarked for winter 2026. Summer 2026 will see the release of Good Eye by Jess Gibson, Skin Contact by Elisa Faison, and Get Lost by Justin Halpern. Following these, The Rise by Ian Rankin will come out in the fall of 2026, along with Solo by Marya Hornbacher, Record Lows by C.J. Green, and Fortune by Alex Mar in winter 2027.
According to Hachette, Cardinal’s mission focuses on “publishing books that entertain and enlighten, across genres and borders,” emphasizing both fiction and nonfiction with a commitment to “excellent writing and brilliant storytelling.” Arthur is joined by editorial assistant Emily Chen in this venture, collaborating closely with Grand Central’s marketing and publicity teams to support the imprint’s releases.
Reflecting on the launch, Arthur expressed her enthusiasm: “It’s been really fun to start something new, to have the support of all my Hachette colleagues, and to think about what the list will look like, who will be included, and how we will present these works.” She noted her transition from a publisher back to her original aspirations in the literary field.
Arthur revealed that the inspiration for the imprint’s name came during the pandemic, when she developed a fondness for cardinals, which she appreciated for their vibrant presence in challenging times. “They symbolize good luck, love, hope, and renewal,” she said, elaborating on the significance of the bird. She also highlighted the term “cardinal” as indicative of something “of great importance,” which aligns with her vision for the books and authors represented by Cardinal.
In a supportive statement, David Shelley, CEO of Hachette Book Group and Hachette UK, conveyed his excitement for Cardinal, sharing his enjoyment in exploring the launch list. He praised Arthur as an outstanding talent-spotter and tastemaker and expressed confidence that Cardinal will provide engaging and enlightening reads for audiences in the future.
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