Disney Publishing Worldwide is teaming with ESPN to create a new imprint, Andscape Books. DPW and ESPN are both part of the Walt Disney Company; Andscape is ESPN’s Black media platform, “dedicated to creating, highlighting, and uplifting the diverse stories of Black identity.” In keeping with the Andscape focus, Disney said titles under the Andscape Books imprint will explore themes of race, culture, and identity intersecting with sports, fashion, the arts, health and wellness, popular culture, and social issues.
First books in the new imprint are set to be released in late 2022, with the aim to publish six to eight titles in its first year. Eventually, Disney expects to release 30 Andscape Books annually. Disney plans to publish in the categories of narrative nonfiction and memoirs for adults, and will also feature a line of young adult and children’s titles.
The imprint will be headed by Disney Publishing editorial director Jennifer Levesque, who will be joined by executive editor Kelli Martin. Both Levesque and Martin will work with Raina Kelley, v-p and editor-in-chief of Andscape, who will be the point person for the ESPN platform.
Tonya Agurto, Disney Publishing’s senior v-p, publisher, imprint and IP development, said that through the creation of the new imprint “we have the ability to showcase authentic, powerful voices through in-depth books, which are timely, hard-hitting, and deeply inspiring to readers.”
First book under the imprint, Rise of the Black Quarterback: What it Means for America by NFL journalist Jason Reid, will be published August 2.
