Lebhar-Friedman, the trade magazine publisher, is launching a book line, Lebhar-Friedman Books, and has hired Geoff Golson, most recently publisher at Macmillan's reference division, to head it.

Golson said he plans to publish 30-40 titles annually, in a mix of consumer and trade subjects, mostly related to food and cooking. These will include books done in cooperation with the Culinary Institute of America, the New York Times Company (The New York Times Home Repair Almanac), books of favorite fast foods (The Hot Dog Companion, etc.) and professional books for the restaurant business.

Distribution will be by National Book Network. Golson told PW he has a million-dollar-plus editorial budget to spend next year as well as a large marketing budget.