Pocket in Seven-Book Deal for Zombies

-- Publishers Weekly, 7/9/2009 7:27:00 AM

Looking to cash in on the current craze for zombies, Anthony Ziccardi, v-p and deputy publisher of Pocket Books, has entered into a co-publishing venture with Permuted Press, best known for horror, dark fantasy and science fiction novels. The seven book deal was brokered by Marc Gerald at the Agency Group. The first title, Day By Day Armageddon, will be released in October in trade paperback with a 50,000-copy first printing. The second book in the series is slated to be released in February.

Armageddon is Permuted’s biggest seller to date, selling about 25,000 copies. Other books in the deal have sold between 10,000 and 20,000 copies. Permuted began publishing in 2004 and has used print-on-demand to manufacture its titles.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Permuted Press and expand their very successful brand.” said Ziccardi. “We feel the horror genre and zombies in particular, will be a growing category at retail. Even Hollywood seems to be focused on zombie tales and we feel that we are well positioned to capitalize on this trend.”