Lerner Publishing Group has announced that it will formalize the distribution services it has been providing to small children’s book publishers since 2003 by launching Lerner Publisher Services. LPG’s new division will distribute both print and digital books from children’s publishers to the trade, school/library, gift/museum and international markets.
Lerner Publisher Services will be headed by David Wexler, LPG’s executive v-p for sales, who will report to Adam Lerner, the group’s president and publisher. LPG is headquartered in Minneapolis. Besides sales and distribution, Lerner Publisher Services will provide its clients with print and digital production services, including printing, binding, and e-book conversion through its sister company, Muscle Bound bindery.
Lerner Publisher Services is currently serving the five clients already distributed by LPG: Andersen Press USA, The Kane Press, ARC Press, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and We Do Listen Foundation, This fall, two new clients will be added to the list: Gecko Press, a New Zealand children’s book publisher, and Inside Pocket Books, a U.K. children’s book publisher. Lerner Publisher Services initially wants to limit its client list to 10 companies, and is able to accommodate digital distribution-only clients through its proprietary digital delivery platform.
“We want to keep Lerner Publisher Services selective and small,” LPG senior publicist Lindsay Matvick told PW. “The fit between us, our publisher clients, and our customers is essential.”
