A local book publisher is partnering with a New York-based hedge fund on a new venture that will help other book publishers gain better financing opportunities.

Lanham, Md.-based Roman & Littlefield’s distribution arm, National Book Network Inc., is teaming with an undisclosed partner to create Cooper Square Funding Corporation. The venture will allow publishing companies, big or small, to use their backlists, or the catalogue of books they’ve already published, as assets, Roman & Littlefield Chief Executive Officer Jed Lyons said Monday.