Publisher to cash in as book becomes film

Published on 03/12/2012 12:00

AN Edinburgh publisher is set to benefit to the tune of hundreds of thousands of pounds after one of its most famous novels was adapted for the big screen.

Edinburgh-based Canongate published Yann Martel’s Life of Pi in 2002 and the novel went on to become one of the best-selling Man Booker Prize-winners.

But profits at the firm are set to surge still further after the book – a philosophical tale about a boy named Pi – was turned into a film by Fox Movies and Brokeback Mountain director Ang Lee.

The film will be released in the UK on December 20.

Canongate editorial director Francis Picken said: “Thanks to Fox, Ang Lee and the movie, a whole host of new readers will discover the book.

“In the past months in the run-up to the release, [a movie tie-in] edition has already sold more than 100,000 copies. We expect it will sell more as the excitement builds.”