De Bezige Bij, translating to 'The Busy Bee,' is one of the most renowned and respected literary publishing houses in the Netherlands. Founded in 1944 during the German occupation by Geert Lubberhuizen, it began as an underground press to fund resistance efforts. Post-war, it quickly established itself as a leading publisher of Dutch and international literature, including fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Known for its high literary standards, De Bezige Bij has published numerous celebrated authors, Nobel laureates, and influential works, playing a significant role in the Dutch cultural and literary landscape. It is currently part of WPG Uitgevers.
The Amsterdam headquarters serves as the central hub for all core publishing activities, including editorial development, manuscript acquisition, rights management, marketing, sales, and administrative operations.
The office is located in a distinguished building in the Museum Quarter of Amsterdam, an area known for its cultural institutions and historic architecture, reflecting the publisher's esteemed position in the literary world.
The work culture at De Bezige Bij is characterized by a deep passion for literature, intellectual curiosity, and a collaborative spirit. Employees are typically dedicated to upholding the publisher's legacy of quality and innovation in publishing.
Being headquartered in Amsterdam, a major European cultural capital, allows De Bezige Bij to stay connected with authors, literary agents, and international publishing trends. Its historic roots in the city also contribute to its strong identity.
De Bezige Bij's primary market is the Dutch-speaking world, encompassing the Netherlands and Flanders (Belgium). Its global presence is primarily achieved through the active sale of translation rights for its acclaimed Dutch authors to international publishing houses across various languages and countries. They also participate in major international book fairs like Frankfurt and London to promote their authors and catalog globally.
Van Miereveldstraat 1
Amsterdam
Noord-Holland
Netherlands
Address: Mechelsesteenweg 203, 2018 Antwerpen, Belgium (WPG Uitgevers België)
Serves the Flemish-speaking Belgian market, ensuring De Bezige Bij authors and their works reach readers in Flanders, a key region for Dutch-language publishing.
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As of April 2025, De Bezige Bij' leadership includes:
De Bezige Bij has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:
There have been no major, publicly announced changes at the top executive level (Managing Director, Head Publisher) specifically for De Bezige Bij imprint in the past 12 months. Leadership within the imprint itself appears stable. Changes within the broader WPG Uitgevers group may occur but aren't listed here unless directly impacting De Bezige Bij's direct leadership.
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De Bezige Bij, as part of WPG Uitgevers, likely follows a common professional email format. Based on publicly available information and standard Dutch business practices, emails typically use a combination of the employee's first name initial and last name.
[first_initial].[last_name]@debezigebij.nl
Format
p.claessens@debezigebij.nl
Example
80%
Success rate
Boekblad • February 9, 2023
WPG Uitgevers, the parent company of De Bezige Bij, has acquired Uitgeverij Koppernik. Koppernik will continue to operate under its own name but will become part of the literary cluster that also includes De Bezige Bij and Thomas Rap, under the leadership of publisher Marian Loth. This acquisition aims to strengthen the position of literary publishing within WPG....more
De Bezige Bij Official Website • Ongoing (since 1944)
De Bezige Bij continues its mission to publish significant literary works from both Dutch and international authors. With a rich history rooted in resistance and a dedication to quality, the publishing house remains a cornerstone of the Dutch literary scene, regularly introducing new voices and celebrating established authors....more
Nederlands Letterenfonds (Dutch Foundation for Literature) • April 18, 2024
Authors published by De Bezige Bij are consistently among those receiving grants and support from the Dutch Foundation for Literature (Nederlands Letterenfonds), highlighting the publisher's role in fostering nationally and internationally recognized literary talent. This support often aids in translations and international promotion....more
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