Earlier today, the international publishing giant Hachette Book Group announced that it will be moving Canadian sales and distribution of its U.K. lines to its U.S. offices. The decision will have major ramifications for several players in the Canadian publishing scene, including HarperCollins Canada, Penguin Canada, and H.B. Fenn and Company.  No one, however, will be more affected than McArthur & Company, which currently represents the bulk of Hachette’s U.K. lines in Canada, including Orion, Hodder & Stoughton, Hodder Headline, John Murray, and Hachette Children’s Books. According to a press release sent out by Hachette, McArthur will continue representing those lines until Dec. 31, 2009, after which point Hachette will take over permanently. This will be a major blow to McArthur, as the lines make up approximately two thirds of its business.

Look for a more detailed report later today on Q&Q Omni.