RUBRIK

ˈruː.brɪk

Publishing for the new era:
creator-first, tech-forward, story-rooted.

RUBRIK is three things

Studio
development

For creators building a book from the ground up: concept, proposal, positioning and publisher strategy.

Agency
representation

For creators ready to go to market. We pitch to major publishers, negotiate the deal, and manage the relationship.

Consultancy
strategy

For publishers and platforms wanting to understand and act on the creator economy publishing opportunity.

Founder

About
Rikhi Ubhi

Rikhi Ubhi is a publisher and literary strategist. He operates across both the new creator universe and established major publishing. Most recently as Head of Publishing at Flight Books — Steven Bartlett's publishing venture with Penguin Random House — Rikhi built a creator publishing programme from the ground up. He has worked closely with some of the most recognizable creators and nonfiction authors in the world.

Previously, Rikhi founded Heligo Books at Bonnier Books UK and was a co-owner of Zed Books. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

  • Head of Publishing, Flight Books / Penguin Random House
  • Founder, Heligo Books at Bonnier Books UK
  • Co-owner, Zed Books — exit to Bloomsbury Academic
  • Simon & Schuster UK — earlier career
  • Worked on over 50 Sunday Times and New York Times bestsellers
  • Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts
  • Lives between Boston, USA and London, UK
Rikhi Ubhi, Founder of RUBRIK Creative

The verdict

In their words

Rik is a legend. He published my debut book, Paying It Forward, helped us champion social entrepreneurship, and was instrumental in making the book a Sunday Times Bestseller. He’s a brilliant editor and fantastic to work with.

Josh Littlejohn MBE

author of Paying It Forward

Formidable.

Steven Bartlett

author of The Diary of a CEO

Rik understood and supported the vision for my book from the beginning, and helped to shape the storytelling and presentation into a fully realized project. He is a thoughtful and compassionate editor with a great sense of humour and a true pleasure to work with.

Joshua Oliver

author of Hype Machine

The proof

Selected Works

From CIA to CEO

Publisher & Lead Editor

From CIA to CEO

Rupal Patel

Amazon #1 Bestseller

Paying It Forward

Publisher & Lead Editor

Paying It Forward

Josh Littlejohn MBE

Sunday Times Bestseller

Consumed

Publisher & Lead Editor

Consumed

Saabira Chaudhuri

FT Business Book of the Year

Hype Machine

Publisher & Lead Editor

Hype Machine

Joshua Oliver

‘Hard to put down’ — Evening Standard

The Low-Tox Solution

Publisher & Editor

The Low-Tox Solution

Yvonne Burkart PhD

Forthcoming

The Signs

Publisher

The Signs

Dr Tara Swart

Sunday Times & NYT Bestseller

Main Street Millionaire

Publisher

Main Street Millionaire

Codie Sanchez

NYT Bestseller

The Diary of a CEO

Paperback Publisher

The Diary of a CEO

Steven Bartlett

#1 Sunday Times Bestseller

Anatomy of a Breakthrough

Publisher

Anatomy of a Breakthrough

Adam Alter

NYT Bestselling Author

How Not to F*ck Up Your Marriage

Publisher

How Not to F*ck Up Your Marriage

James J. Sexton

Top Creator Title

The Great Firewall of China

PR Lead

The Great Firewall of China

James Griffiths

‘Excellent’ Guardian

Back to Black

PR Lead

Back to Black

Kehinde Andrews

‘Brilliant’ Junot Díaz

Catching Thunder

PR Lead

Catching Thunder

Eskil Engdal & Kjetil Sæter

International Bestseller

Staying on Track

Marketing Lead

Staying on Track

Nigel Mansell

Sunday Times Bestseller

Someday I'll Find You

Marketing Lead

Someday I'll Find You

Richard Madeley

Sunday Times Bestseller

In the press

Selected News

2024 Appointed Head of Publishing at Flight Flight Story 2022 Judge for the Bracken Bower Prize Financial Times 2021 Named Editorial Director at Bonnier Books UK Bonnier Books UK

Studio & Agency

RUBRIK is for creators

For creators who are developing

We build your book idea fully from the ground up: concept, proposal, positioning, publisher strategy. Starting with a data-backed Platform Audit, we identify what your book should be and what a publisher would pay for it today.

For creators who are ready

We refine your proposal and pitch your book concept to the world's biggest publishers. We negotiate the very best deal that you and your platform deserves — advance, terms and the marketing commitment your audience warrants.

For creators who have already published

We identify why your last book didn't perform the way your audience suggested it should, and we build the next one back better. The platform analysis, the positioning and the deal structure.

Consultancy

RUBRIK is for publishers

For publishers who want better acquisition

We identify, evaluate, and develop creator talent for your list using proprietary data tools and significant market intelligence. Not just instinct. Prioritised target lists with audience analytics, commercial rationale and deal structure recommendations.

For publishers who are building a strategy

We advise on creator list development, vertical positioning, and how to systematise creator acquisition before your competitors do. Retainer and project-based engagements with defined deliverables.

For publishers who are building relationships

We bring direct access to credible creators across high growth nonfiction areas — in the UK, US and internationally. Warm introductions to creator talent actively looking for the right publishing home.

Get in touch

What's your story?

Every RUBRIK relationship starts with a conversation.

Currently working with a small number of founding creators and publishing clients. Enquiries welcome.

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