John Wiley has sold more of its remaining consumer publishing assets, completing a deal April 2 to sell its pets, crafts and general interest consumer publishing titles to Nashville-based Turner Publishing. Under the deal, Turner acquired the digital and print assets for approximately 1,500 Wiley titles, including such brands as Howell Book House and Baseball Prospectus.
“This strategic acquisition broadens Turner’s list, which spans a wide variety of fiction and nonfiction consumer publishing categories and represents an exciting growth opportunity within the crafts, pets, and general interest areas,” said Todd Bottorff, president and publisher of Turner Publishing. “The combination of Wiley’s titles with our existing programs will significantly strengthen Turner’s market position as a consumer publisher.” Turner has produced over 1,000 titles since 1984 in a wide range of fiction and nonfiction categories including home & gardens, health & wellness, history, politics, & current affairs, and self-improvement.
The group of titles sold is the largest block of remaining Wiley consumer assets leaving a few smaller pieces to be sold as Wiley works to reshape its portfolio to focus on opportunities in global research, education and professional practice. Last year, Wiley sold its travel assets to Google and cookbook, CliffsNotes and Webster’s New World Dictionary program to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
