The Rowman and Littlefield Publishing Group has acquired Pineapple Press, an independent publisher focused on books about Florida, and the art, folklore, history and culture in the state. The acquisition is effective July 13.
National Book Network, the distribution unit of Rowman & Littlefield, will take over sales and distribution of Pineapple Press titles on July 14. Ingram Publisher Services, which previously distributed Pineapple Press titles, will continue to manage the distribution of Pineapple’s e-book list via Ingram’s CoreSource e-book program,
Founded by June and David Gussen in 1982, Pineapple Press has a backlist of more than 400 titles. The cofounders will continue to oversee Pineapple Press editorial operations until a new Florida office for the press is opened. The company is currently based in Sarasota, Fla.
The Pineapple Press list includes the work of Patrick D. Smith and his bestselling title, A Land Remembered, which has sold more than 250,000 copies since it was published in 1983.
The acquisition continues RLPG's strategy of acquiring regional publishers. Pineapple will become an imprint of Globe Pequot, the trade division of RLPG. Based in Guilford, CT, Globe Pequot manages a wide range of RLPG publishing imprints that specialize in titles on regional interest, lifestyle and culture.
Jed Lyons, president and CEO of RLPG, said the acquisition will enhance the company's “regional trade program and adds hundreds of first-rate books on the fastest growing state in the nation. The Cussens have built a wonderful business which we will do our best to preserve and grow in the future under the Pineapple name.”
