Penguin USA, which has been aggressively adding imprints over the last two years, last week announced the creation of a new line that will focus on military nonfiction titles. Called Caliber, the line will bring together under a single banner books that the house had previously planned on publishing. And while no new staff will be added, Penguin may add more titles in the genre.
According to spokesperson Craig Burke, Caliber will mainly be looking to add visibility for the titles and will bring together books already being done by Berkley and New American Library under the names Berkley Caliber and NAL Caliber. Most will be original trade papers, although Caliber will do some hardcovers. The Caliber name may also be applied to some of the company's backlist titles.
Between Berkley and NAL, Penguin currently does about 18 originals in the category annually. Among the first Caliber titles will be a book about Cold War espionage told from the point of view of the Soviets and a title about a super elite force of Pararescuemen, both scheduled for fall. Of the backlist, Berkley president and publisher Leslie Gelbman said in a statement: "Titles such as Marine Sniper, The Tunnels of Cu Chi and SOG: The Secret Wars of America's Commandos in Vietnam have highlighted the bravery of America's fighting men and women while earning a place on every military bookshelf."
