Spring titles face an uncertain future
The future of 16 books scheduled for spring 2027 across Catapult’s four imprints remains unclear following the company’s sale, according to Publishers Weekly.
The deal does not include continuing jobs
Catapult Book Group’s assets are being sold, and the company’s operations are scheduled to end Oct. 30. The buyer has not been publicly identified, Publishers Weekly reports. Employees were told they would not continue working for the prospective buyer. The publication says Catapult’s website lists 25 employees, including CEO Elizabeth Koch and publisher Alyson Forbes; the Catapult Workers Collective has about 20 members across publishing departments.
The group expanded through a series of imprint changes
Catapult’s current group took shape through acquisitions and changes in focus. Founded by Elizabeth Koch and Andy Hunter, the company merged with Counterpoint Press in 2016, bringing Soft Skull Press into the group, according to the Los Angeles Times. Catapult acquired Hawthorne Books in December 2025, as Deadline reported. In 2023, the company closed its online magazine and writing-classes program and said it would focus on book publishing, Publishers Weekly reported.
Workers are negotiating a separation agreement
The Catapult Workers Collective says staff learned of the planned sale while employees were considering unionization. The union is now negotiating a separation agreement with the company, according to Publishers Weekly. During their organizing drive, Catapult employees cited concerns about job security, wages and transparency, and joined UAW Local 2110, the trade publication reported in its earlier coverage of the union drive.
California layoff assistance
For workers affected by a layoff, California’s Employment Development Department says its Rapid Response program offers career counseling and job-search assistance, résumé preparation and interview workshops, local labor-market information, and information about Unemployment Insurance, according to the California EDD.
