B&T Adds Public Square Books

by Jim Milliot, PW Daily -- Publishers Weekly, 6/28/2007

Baker & Taylor has added Public Square Books to its fold, and Larry Bennett, the founder of PSB, has been named v-p of Spanish Language Markets for the wholesaler. B&T says it has entered into a “distribution partnership” with PSB, although other sources said B&T acquired the company.

PSB was founded in 2004 by Bennett. The company signs exclusive licensing deals with Spanish houses to import Spanish-language graphic novels and manga works in the U.S. and has a backlist of about 200 titles. It was unclear if PSB will continue to publish new titles. According to a B&T spokesperson, PSB “will continue to bring the best in Spanish-language graphic novels to the U.S. distributed through B&T.”

In his role of v-p of Spanish Language Markets, Bennett is succeeding Michael Shapiro, who had filled that position since B&T acquired his wholesale company, Libros Sin Fronteras, in November 2004.