Lebhar-Friedman, a trade magazine publisher that launched a wide-ranging book line in 1999 (News, Nov. 30, 1998), is trimming its program. The company cited its own strengths and the book market's weaknesses in making the decision.
Instead of publishing on such topics as health, business and fiction, the company will focus almost exclusively on culinary subjects. The list has been cut from 80 titles to eight. As part of the change, publisher Geoff Golson has left, along with at least three other employees. All authors whose books were canceled for 2002 (a small number, according to the company) have been notified.
"We once had the idea to publish widely into the trade," said Dennis Doran, who is helping with the transition. "But right now we want to focus on our core business."
