New Magazine Focuses on Indie, Academic Presses
Calvin Reid -- 4/27/98
Three senior executives from Independent Publisher have left the magazine to launch ForeWord, a new monthly controlled-circulation publication focusing on independent and university presses. ForeWord will make its debut during BookExpo America in Chicago.ForeWord publisher Victoria Sutherland, formerly v-p and associate publisher at the Jenkins Group, parent company of Independent Publisher (formerly known as Small Press), told PW that the group's move was not acrimonious: "I had offered to buy Independent Publisher. I wasn't happy with the direction of the magazine." However, Sutherland said, her offer was declined and she began to look for financing to start a new publication. The new venture is being financed by a combination of private investors and bank loans. Joining Sutherland are FW editor-in-chief Mardi Link and Anne Stanton, who will be the managing review editor and marketing director. Link was previously executive editor of IP, and Stanton was an executive editor in another division of the Jenkins Group. ForeWord will be a distributed free to 15,000 booksellers and librarians around the country. FW will come out monthly with about 75 reviews each month, industry news and national bestseller lists based on independent bookstore sales. "We've received a great response from booksellers and librarians. The recent mergers and acquisitions are opening up more opportunities for smaller, independent publishers," said Sutherland. In the wake of the departures of the three executives, the Jenkins Group has named Phil Murphy executive editor of Independent Publisher. He was an assistant editor. Jim Barnes has been named associate publisher and Michael T. Holland research manager. Back To News---> |
