After 10 years of rapid growth fueled in part by a number of acquisitions, Skyhorse Publishing has implemented a major reorganization that will reduce the total number of titles it publishes annually by roughly 25%. In addition, Skyhorse is cutting its workforce by approximately 20%, eliminating 16 full-time positions out of 77.
Launched in 2006 by Tony Lyons, Skyhorse published 1,120 titles last year and has a backlist of more than 6,500 titles. While Skyhorse’s revenue had risen to about $40 million in 2016, the company said sales were down 19% last year compared to 2016. Sales also continued to be soft in the early part of 2018. Lyons attributed the weak sales to ”issues related to [Skyhorse's] distribution deal and paper shortages, as well as changes in the marketplace in general.”
In late 2017 a move to unionize some workers at the company was voted down by the publisher's rank and file.
Commenting on the reorganization, Lyons said in a statement: “These are difficult decisions, but we believe they will allow us to become more nimble, respond to trends, focus more on what our customers want, increase the quality of the books we publish, and create more impactful marketing plans.”
Skyhorse publishes in a wide range of subjects for both adults and children. Among the companies it has acquired in recent years are Arcade Books, Allworth Press, Night Shade Books, and Good Books.
