Crown Publishing Group
History
The Crown Publishing Group is a subsidiary of Random House, one of the largest book publishers in the world. The group was established in 1933 by Outlet Book Company, a New York-based department store retailer. The company initially began as a book outlet, but quickly expanded into original publishing due to the success of its sales.
In 1949, Outlet Book Company was renamed as Crown Publishers Inc. under the leadership of Nat Wartels. Wartels was instrumental in expanding the company's reach, bringing in authors of both fiction and non-fiction genres. His leadership saw the company's growth into one of the leading publishers in the United States.
Acquisition by Random House
In 1988, Crown Publishers Inc. was acquired by Random House. This acquisition was part of a larger trend in the publishing industry, where larger companies were buying smaller publishers to expand their portfolio of titles and authors. The acquisition by Random House allowed Crown to leverage the larger company's distribution network and marketing resources.
Following the acquisition, Crown Publishers Inc. was rebranded as the Crown Publishing Group. The group now includes several imprints, each focusing on different genres or markets. These imprints include Crown, Crown Archetype, Clarkson Potter, Harmony Books, Convergent Books, and others.
Imprints
Crown
The Crown imprint is the original and largest imprint of the Crown Publishing Group. It publishes a wide range of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, biography, autobiography, history, and political commentary. Some of the notable authors published under the Crown imprint include Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, and Gillian Flynn.
Crown Archetype
Crown Archetype is an imprint that focuses on publishing books that inspire and challenge readers. The imprint publishes both fiction and non-fiction titles, with a particular focus on memoirs, self-help books, and inspirational titles.
Clarkson Potter
Clarkson Potter is an imprint that specializes in lifestyle books. The imprint publishes titles in categories such as cooking, design, fashion, and gardening. Some of the notable authors published under the Clarkson Potter imprint include Ina Garten, Martha Stewart, and Bobby Flay.
Harmony Books
Harmony Books is an imprint that focuses on health, wellness, and spirituality. The imprint publishes both fiction and non-fiction titles, with a particular focus on self-help books, spiritual guides, and wellness manuals.
Convergent Books
Convergent Books is an imprint that publishes books on faith and spirituality. The imprint focuses on titles that explore the intersection of faith and contemporary life.
Impact and Influence
The Crown Publishing Group has had a significant impact on the publishing industry. The group's diverse range of imprints allows it to publish a wide variety of titles, reaching a broad audience. The group's commitment to publishing high-quality, thought-provoking books has earned it a reputation as a leader in the publishing industry.
The Crown Publishing Group's influence extends beyond the publishing industry. The group's titles have had a significant cultural impact, influencing public discourse and shaping popular culture. The group's commitment to publishing diverse voices and perspectives has contributed to a more inclusive and diverse literary landscape.