Tantor Media did an initial first printing of 20,000 copies for Behind the Candelabra: My Life with Liberace by Scott Thorson and Alex Thorleifson, the largest first printing for the company’s new book unit which was launched last fall. The book is the basis for the May 26 HBO movie Behind the Candelabra and Tantor director of rights and acquisitions Ron Formica acquired print, e-book and audio rights after discovering the book had been out-of-print. Formica bought rights from agent Richard Curtis and Thorson has written a new afterword “so readers could see what has happened to Scott since the book was published in hardcover—and also get something not in the movie,” said Formica. The audio is narrated by Peter Berkrot; an interview with Thorson is available on Tantor.com.

The title is available in trade paperback as well as audio and e-book starting today. Tantor is backing the title with broadcast, print, and online advertising, marketing, and publicity campaigns as well as vendor-partner programs that includes front of table placement at Barnes & Noble.