Allworth Press, the New York independent publisher that has developed a niche in film and television books, has acquired the rights to The Directors, a book series that accompanies a television series of the same name that airs on the Starz/Encore cable channel.
The book line was originally developed by TV Books before the company went out of business. The first two books in the series, The Directors: Take One and The Directors: Take Two, will be reintroduced in March and a first printing of 7,500 has been set for each, said Allworth publisher Tad Crawford. The third volume will be published in January 2003, and Crawford plans to release at least two more titles in the series. Allworth is cross-promoting the books with Premier Video and M&B Logistics, which are distributing the series on video and DVD.
Allworth began developing its film and television line a little more than two years ago and has 12 books in print with about 12 more set for release this year. "We try to hit all the niches in the area," Crawford noted.
The line has proved to be a good complement to Allworth's business art guides and general nonfiction. Crawford said sales rose about 15% in 2001, led by Allworth's graphic design and photography books. Its biggest seller last year, however, was Emotional Branding by Marc Gobé, which sold 10,000 copies to the trade and about 2,000 more through special markets. The company published 40 titles in 2001 and plans to release the same number this year. A sequel to Emotional Branding, called Citizen Branding, plus Feng Shui and Money, both set for fall release, are Allworth's big books for the year.
Allworth is also launching a new imprint this month. Helios Press will feature psychology and self-help books. Its first title, Psychology of War, is set for release in March. The title originally had been published in 1993 by Noble Press, but Crawford is hoping current events will give a new life to the book.
