Business News

Running Press Founder Consulting for New Indie Publishing Venture

Tuesday 07. October 2008 - unning Press co-founder and former publisher Buz Teacher has entered into a consulting arrangement with Winans Kuenstler Publishing, LLC, a new book publishing venture headed by former Wall Street Journal columnist and author Foster Winans. Teacher, whose company was merged with Perseus Books Group in 2002, will be advising the new company on developing trade distribution for its nonfiction titles.

Winans Kuenstler provides premium editorial, production, and marketing services to self-funding authors as part of its Book-Driven Branding program. “Our authors tend to be professionals, thought leaders, motivational speakers, and others who want or need a book to help raise or expand their brand awareness, jump-start a speaking career, or establish a legacy,” said Winans, author or ghostwriter of more than 40 books. “We provide a single-decision solution that covers the development of a trade-quality book from concept to distribution and marketing.”

Teacher said he became intrigued by Winans Kuenstler’s model “because it makes sense for authors with serious books who want to get to market sooner than they can through traditional publishing, and who understand the value of investing in retaining ownership and control. The key is the professional quality of the content that Winans ensures, and the company’s focus on ‘entrepreneurial’ authors who see books as primarily a marketing and branding tool. The company’s list is strong and will appeal to the book trade.”

“Buz Teacher is a successful and respected figure in book publishing,” said Winans, “and we’re honored he is willing to help us find innovative approaches to growing our business by expanding our model.”

Teacher and his publishing team built Running Press into one of the largest independent trade book publishing companies in North America. He co-founded the company in 1972.