Coming off a strong 2011 with 10% to 11% sales growth, Chelsea Green is in the midst of a reorganization, according to president and publisher Margo Baldwin. In addition to moving to a commission rep force, as reported last week, the press is organizing its in-house sales staff by market rather than geographic territory. As part of the sales changes, the press will be able to focus more on the independent channel. “We can devote in-house resources to growing and managing the consignment program,” says Baldwin, adding that “bringing back the commission reps allows us to get more face time with all the stores on new titles.”
At the same Chelsea Green is expanding its digital offerings. “We remain focused on the content, acquiring the very best books in our niche. But we’re also strategically experimenting with digital content and enhanced e-books,” says Baldwin. The press, which has offered books for the Kindle and Sony Reader since 2007, will be pushing into other channels now that its active backlist, about 200 titles, has been converted to ePub. It will also handle e-book distribution for its publishing clients.
As part of the transition, late last year Chelsea Green, which is headquartered in White River Junction, Vt., opened a second office in Burlington for its key communications, Web, and author events staff. And it has made several new hires, including director of digital development Justin Nisbet, formerly with Workman Publishing; communications director Shay Totten, a journalist and former editorial director at Chelsea Green; and in-house book designer Melissa Jacobson, formerly with Quirk Books. Altogether the press now has a staff of 20 full-time people, up three from last year.
