Perseus Phases Out Two Imprints, Lays Off 24, Sells Counterpoint

As part of Perseus Books Group's integration of Avalon—a merger that was announced earlier this year—Perseus has formed six publishing divisions and in the process eliminated at least twenty-four positions, Publishers Weekly recently reported. The six publishing divisions that will make up the new Perseus are Avalon Travel, Basic Books, Da Capo, PublicAffairs, Running Press, and Vanguard. The action will also phase out two imprints, Carroll & Graf and Thunder's Mouth Press, after the publication of their fall lists. Their backlist titles will then be assigned to Perseus imprints.

Perseus also recently announced the sale of Counterpoint Press to Charlie Winton's new publishing venture, Winton, Shoemaker & Co. The sale comes a little over two months after Winton and Jack Shoemaker acquired Shoemaker & Hoard from Avalon. Shoemaker & Hoard titles will now be folded into the newly formed Counterpoint LLC, with Winton serving as chairman and CEO.