MAIN NEWS HEADLINES
May 7 – 14, 2009 Edition
Glenn Beck, S&S Launch
Publishing Partnership
NEW YORK (Authorlink News, May 4, 2009)Simon & Schuster has signed a global multi-book, multi-imprint co-publishing agreement with Glenn Beck, one of Americas leading radio and television personalities and #1 New York Times bestselling author. The multi-tiered publishing program will draw on the resources of numerous imprints at Simon & Schuster to create a comprehensive catalog including more of Becks unique brand of adult fiction and nonfiction as well as picture books and fiction for children, young adult literature, and eBook and audiobook originals. Becks titles will also be published internationally by Simon & Schusters publishing companies in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
The announcement comes on the heels of Becks debut as a # 1 bestselling novelist with the publication of THE CHRISTMAS SWEATER in 2008, which followed his #1 nonfiction bestseller AN INCONVENIENT BOOK in 2007.
The new agreement kicks off with three diverse titles in 2009 including ARGUING WITH IDIOTS, Becks return to hardcover nonfiction, to be published by Threshold Editions in September. The first two projects under the partnership are AMERICAS MARCH TO SOCIALISM, an audio original read by Beck (May) and GLENN BECKS COMMON SENSE, which will be published first as an eBook original and then as a trade paperback original, in which Beck channels the spirit of Thomas Paine (June). Both COMMON SENSE and ARGUING WITH IDIOTS will be available as audiobooks.
“After collaborating with Simon and Schuster on three consecutive bestselling books, I can think of no better place to create such a unique and pioneering publishing program, said Glenn Beck. This partnership gives me the incredible freedom to publish books across multiple platforms and for all different ages. I look forward to working with Carolyn Reidy, Louise Burke, Liz Perl and their team at Simon and Schuster, along with Kevin Balfe and my entire team at Mercury as we take our partnership to the next level.”
Glenn Beck is a true phenomenon who has created his own unique combination of astute political commentary and entertainment to become one of the most recognizable brand names in the media universe, said Carolyn Reidy. His creativity, tied to his proven ability to connect with an audience of viewers, listeners, web surfers, event-goers and, of course, readers makes him an ideal partner for a comprehensive, publishing program that can serve readers of all ages, and provide the flexibility for timely publications in the full array of available traditional and digital formats.
When Glenn first published THE REAL AMERICA with us in 2003, he was a rising radio talk show star. Six years later he has amassed an audience of millions across radio, television, and publishing, and proven to be one of the few authors who can deliver a #1 bestseller in both fiction and nonfiction, said Louise Burke, Executive Vice President and Publisher of Threshold Editions. Glenn is totally topical, infinitely creative and full of surprises, and we look forward to growing the audience for his adult fiction and nonfiction, and through our colleagues in Simon & Schuster Childrens publishing, cultivating younger readers who will be entertained and informed by Glenns special sensibility.
Becks radio show, The Glenn Beck Program, is the third highest rated national radio talk show. Syndicated by Premiere Radio Networks, the program is heard on 350 stations nationwide, and on XM satellite radio. Becks self-titled show on the FOX News Channel debuted on January 19th, 2009. Becks daily email newsletter has more than 750,000 subscribers, and his web site GlennBeck.com gets millions of unique visitors per month. Beck is also popular in live venues, and since 2004 he has attracted more than 200,000 fans to his performances.
Glenn Beck was represented by George Hiltzik of N.S. Bienstock in the agreement. Kevin Balfe, Becks co-author on Becks previous books, has been promoted to Sr. VP of Publishing and will oversee the partnership on behalf of Becks production company, Mercury Radio Arts. Liz Perl, Senior Vice President of Marketing, will serve as a strategic coordinator for the Glenn Beck publishing program across all Simon & Schuster divisions and imprints.
Simon & Schuster, a part of CBS Corporation, is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Simon & Schuster Childrens Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Digital, and international companies in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com
Glenn Beck’s quick wit, candid opinions and engaging personality have made The Glenn Beck Program the third highest rated radio program in America and Glenn Beck, one of the most successful new shows on the Fox News Channel. His unique blend of modern-day storytelling and insightful views on current events allowed him to achieve the extraordinary feat of having #1 New York Times bestsellers in both fiction and non-fiction. Beck is also the star of a live stage show, the publisher of Fusion magazine and the editor of GlennBeck.com.
