Times Books: A History of the New York Times Publishing Imprint
In the competitive world of American publishing, few imprints possess a lineage as closely tied to journalism as Times Books. As a publishing arm owned by The New York Times Company, this imprint has navigated various corporate partnerships and licensing agreements to bring high-quality manuscripts to the public.
The Origins of Times Books
The foundation of Times Books dates back to 1959 with the establishment of Quadrangle Books, a small publishing house based in Chicago founded by Michael Braude. Under the leadership of president Melvin J. Brisk, the house caught the attention of the media giant The New York Times Company.
In 1969, The New York Times Company purchased Quadrangle Books, initially operating it as the New York Times Book Company. It wasn't until 1977 that the entity was officially rebranded as Times Books.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Evolution of Licensing and Management
Unlike traditional publishing houses, Times Books has frequently operated through licensing agreements, allowing other major publishers to manage its operations while the New York Times Company retained ownership of the imprint.
The Random House Era
In 1984, the Times Company licensed the imprint to Random House. A notable period of this tenure occurred between 1991 and 1996, when Peter Osnos served as the head of Times Books. Osnos later went on to found Public Affairs Books.
The Henry Holt and Macmillan Partnership
In 2000, Times Books was relaunched under a new licensing agreement with Henry Holt. Henry Holt is an imprint of Holtzbrinck Publishers/Macmillan, which serves as the United States arm of the Georg von Holtzbrinck Publishing Group.
Throughout its history, the imprint has been guided by experienced editorial directors, including David Sobel and Paul Golob.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1959 (as Quadrangle Books); relaunched in 2000.
- Founder: Melvin J. Brisk (President of Quadrangle Books).
- Ownership: Owned by The New York Times Company.
- Current Licensee: Henry Holt (Macmillan).
- Headquarters: 120 Broadway, Manhattan, New York City.
- Origin: United States.
Operational Overview
Times Books is known for its specific corporate policies, most notably a right of first refusal policy. This means the imprint typically has the first opportunity to review and publish manuscripts written by employees of The New York Times Company before they are offered to other publishers, a practice that has occasionally been a point of controversy.
| Year | Event | Entity Involved |
|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Foundation of Quadrangle Books | Michael Braude |
| 1969 | Acquisition by NYT Company | New York Times Book Company |
| 1977 | Rebranding | Times Books |
| 1984 | Licensing Agreement | Random House |
| 2000 | Relaunch/Licensing | Henry Holt (Macmillan) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who currently manages the Times Books imprint?
Times Books is currently licensed to Henry Holt, which is part of the Holtzbrinck Publishers/Macmillan group.
Where is Times Books located?
The imprint is headquartered at 120 Broadway in Manhattan, New York City.
What was the original name of Times Books?
It began as Quadrangle Books in 1959, then became the New York Times Book Company in 1969 before becoming Times Books in 1977.
What is the "right of first refusal" policy?
It is a policy where Times Books has the first right to consider manuscripts written by employees of The New York Times Company before they can be submitted to other publishing houses.
Who were some of the key leaders of Times Books?
Key figures include founder Melvin J. Brisk, former head Peter Osnos, and editorial directors David Sobel and Paul Golob.