After spending its first year as an imprint of HarperCollins UK, science fiction and fantasy line Angry Robot Books has become an independent publisher, with backing from niche publisher Osprey Publishing. Angry Robot will continue to operate from its Nottingham office with its existing team under Marc Gascoigne, its founder and publisher.

Angry Robot started in July 2009, and Gascoigne said the house has a dedicated fan base “as well as some strong sales of our first titles in the UK.” He also said the house plans to launch in the U.S. in the near future. Angry Robot’s 2010-2011 list will be “basically unaffected by these changes,” he said, noting that there will be a short break during the transition and that the house will relaunch in September 2010.

The house will launch six titles in the U.S this fall, including Kelly’s Legend by Andy Remic, Moxyland by Lauren Beukes, Sixty-One Nails by Mike Shevdon, Slights by Kaaron Warren, Triumff: Her Majesty's Hero by Dan Abnett, and Winter Song by Colin Harvey. They will go on sale August 31.

Osprey has experience in niche publishing, including military history (Osprey Publishing), and “heritage and nostalgia” (Shire Books). Osprey marketing director Richard Sullivan said, “Angry Robot is a great fit with our existing businesses. We are very excited about the opportunity to enter into a new market.”