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{{short description|A publishing imprint of Penguin Group (USA)}}
{{short description|Publishing imprint of Penguin Group (USA)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Infobox publisher
{{Infobox publisher
| image =
| image = Berkley Books logo.png
| parent = [[Penguin Group]] ([[Penguin Random House]])
| parent = [[Penguin Group]] ([[Penguin Random House]])
| status =
| status =
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| url = {{URL|berkleyjoveauthors.com}}<br>{{URL|berkleysignetmysteries.com}}
| url = {{URL|berkleyjoveauthors.com}}<br>{{URL|berkleysignetmysteries.com}}
}}
}}
'''Berkley Books''' is an [[imprint (trade name)|imprint]] of the [[Penguin Group]].
'''Berkley Books''' is now an [[imprint (trade name)|imprint]] of the [[Penguin Group]].


==History==
==History==


Berkley Books began as an independent company in 1955. It was established by Charles Byrne and Frederick Klein, who were working for [[Avon (publishers)|Avon]] and formed "Chic News Company". They renamed it Berkley Publishing Co. in 1955. They soon found a niche in [[science fiction]] works. They were bought out in 1965 by [[G. P. Putnam's Sons]]<ref>Robert D. McFadden, [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/20/books/walter-minton-dead.html Walter J. Minton, Publisher Who Defied Censors, Dies at 96], ''Nytimes.com'', 20 November 2019</ref> and became their paperback publisher.
Berkley Books began as an independent company in 1955. It was founded as "Chic News Company" by Charles Byrne and Frederick Klein, who had worked for [[Avon (publishers)|Avon]]; they quickly renamed it Berkley Publishing Co. The new name was a coinage, combining elements of their surnames, unrelated to either the philosopher [[George Berkeley]] or [[Berkeley, California]]. Under their editor-in-chief Thomas Dardis, over the next few years Berkley developed a diverse line of popular fiction and non-fiction, both reprints and mass-market paperback originals, with a particularly strong history in [[science fiction]] (books of [[Robert A. Heinlein]] and [[Frank Herbert]]’s ''[[Dune (franchise)|Dune]]'' novels, for example). The company was bought in 1965 by [[G. P. Putnam's Sons]]<ref>Robert D. McFadden, [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/20/books/walter-minton-dead.html Walter J. Minton, Publisher Who Defied Censors, Dies at 96], ''Nytimes.com'', 20 November 2019</ref> and in years to follow undertook a hardcover line under the Berkley imprint, chiefly but not only for science fiction. For example, [[Merle Miller]]’s ''Plain Speaking: An Oral Biography of Harry S. Truman'' (1973), and ''The Search for J.F.K.'' by Joan and [[Clay Blair Jr.]] (1976) were substantial nonfiction books under that imprint. When Putnam bought [[Grosset & Dunlap]] and [[Playboy Press]], the [[Jove]], [[Ace Books|Ace]] and [[Playboy Press]] paperback lists were added to that of Berkley; the Playboy list was eventually absorbed into Berkley, while the Jove and Ace lists have continued as distinct imprints.


⚫
Following its publication (1985) of the paperback reprint edition of [[Tom Clancy]]'s ''[[The Hunt for Red October]]'', Berkley Books became increasingly interested in publishing military combat fiction and [[technothriller]]s; its publicity campaigns at military bases contributed to the success of its reprint edition of [[Dale Brown]]'s ''[[Flight of the Old Dog]]''.[2] The Penguin Group purchased Putnam in 1996. When Penguin merged with Random House in 2013 to form [[Penguin Random House]], Berkley was integrated with the larger paperback line [[New American Library]]; the Berkley name was retained for that whole program, which is part of PRH's Penguin Adult group, and publishes in mass-market paperback, trade paperback, and hardcover formats.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://us.penguingroup.com/static/html/aboutus/adult/berkley.html |title=History of Berkley Books on the Penguin Group (USA) website |access-date=March 17, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060315171832/http://us.penguingroup.com/static/html/aboutus/adult/berkley.html |archive-date=March 15, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 1982, Putnam bought [[Grosset & Dunlap]] and [[Playboy Press]], and the [[Ace Books|Ace]] and Playboy paperback lists were added to Berkley. The Playboy list was eventually absorbed into Berkley, while the Jove and Ace lists have continued as distinct imprints.


⚫
In December 2008, Berkley cancelled the publication of the [[Herman Rosenblat]] [[Holocaust]] memoir titled ''[[Angel at the Fence]]'' when it was discovered that the book's central events were untrue.<ref name="MSNBC">{{cite news | title=Publication of disputed Holocaust memoir canceled | date=December 27, 2008 | url=https://www.today.com/popculture/anger-sadness-over-fabricated-holocaust-story-wbna28391083 | agency=[[Associated Press]] | access-date=December 28, 2008}}</ref><ref>[[Motoko Rich]], Brian Stelter, [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/books/31opra.html As Another Memoir Is Faked, Trust Suffers], ''Nytimes.com'', 30 December 2008</ref> In 2011, Berkley Books launched its ebook imprint InterMix.<ref>[https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/49162-berkley-nal-to-launch-e-book-imprint-intermix.html Berkley/NAL to Launch E-book Imprint, InterMix], ''Publishersweekly.com'', 19 October 2011</ref> In September 2012, Berkley Books announced that a trilogy of erotic romance novels by [[Maya Banks]] had been acquired for publishing. Her trilogy was described as similar to the [[Fifty Shades trilogy|''Fifty Shades'' trilogy]], featuring three billionaires.<ref>Tara Fowler, [https://www.ew.com/article/2012/09/17/fifty-shades-watch-erotic-book-trilogy-sells-for-seven-figures 'Fifty Shades' Watch: Erotic book trilogy sells for seven figures], ''Ew.com'', 17 September 2012</ref><ref>Mike Fleming Jr, [https://deadline.com/2012/09/cliterature-cash-maya-banks-gets-7-figures-for-fifty-shades-like-erotic-book-trilogy-337610/ Cliterature Cash! Maya Banks Gets 7-Figures For 'Fifty Shades'-Like Erotic Book Trilogy], ''Deadline.com'', 17 September 2012 |accessdate=August 16, 2015</ref>
Following its publication of [[Tom Clancy]]'s ''[[The Hunt for Red October]]'', Berkley Books became increasingly interested in publishing [[military fiction]] and [[technothriller]]s. The publicity campaigns at military bases were part of the success of [[Dale Brown]]'s ''[[Flight of the Old Dog]]''.<ref name = OldDog/>


⚫
In 2015, the sister paperback group [[New American Library]] was merged into Berkley.<ref>{{Cite web| title = Penguin Merges Berkley, NAL| work = PublishersWeekly.com| access-date = 2018-01-15| url = https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/67234-penguin-merges-berkley-nal.html}}</ref><ref>[https://locusmag.com/2015/06/berkley-and-new-american-library-combined/ Berkley and New American Library Combined], ''Locusmag.com'', 26 June 2015</ref> In April 2015, Berkley Books signed the self-published author [[Jasinda Wilder]].<ref>Alison Flood, [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/apr/07/self-published-jasinder-wilder-traditional-imprint Self-published star Jasinda Wilder lands seven-figure deal with traditional imprint], ''Theguardian.com'', 7 April 2015</ref><ref>Carolyn Kellogg, [https://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-two-self-published-successes-sign-with-major-publishers-20150407-story.html Two self-published successes sign with major publishers], ''Latimes.com'', 7 April 2015</ref> In January 2016, Berkley was merged into Penguin's Putnam/[[E. P. Dutton|Dutton]]. Ivan Held replaced Leslie Gelbman as president of Berkley Books.<ref>Calvin Reid, [https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/69131-more-changes-at-penguin-publishing-group.html Penguin Merges Berkley Into Putnam/Dutton], ''Publishersweekly.com'', 12 January 2016</ref> In 2020, Berkley Books announced two new horror books by [[Grady Hendrix]].<ref>[https://www.tor.com/2020/06/24/berkley-announces-two-new-horror-novels-by-grady-hendrix/ Berkley Announces Two New Horror Novels by Grady Hendrix], ''Tor.com'', 24 June 2020</ref>
⚫
The [[Penguin Group]] purchased Putnam in 1996. Penguin merged with [[Random House]] in 2013 to form [[Penguin Random House]]. Today, Berkley is part of PRH's Penguin Adult group and prints in mass-market paperback, trade paperback, and hardcover formats.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://us.penguingroup.com/static/html/aboutus/adult/berkley.html |title=History of Berkley Books on the Penguin Group (USA) website |access-date=March 17, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060315171832/http://us.penguingroup.com/static/html/aboutus/adult/berkley.html |archive-date=March 15, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

⚫
In December 2008, Berkley cancelled the publication of the [[Herman Rosenblat]] [[Holocaust]] memoir titled ''[[Angel at the Fence]]'' when it was discovered that the book's central events were untrue.<ref name="MSNBC">{{cite news | title=Publication of disputed Holocaust memoir canceled | date=December 27, 2008 | url=https://www.today.com/popculture/anger-sadness-over-fabricated-holocaust-story-wbna28391083 | work=[[Associated Press]] | accessdate=December 28, 2008}}</ref><ref>Motoko Rich, Brian Stelter, [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/books/31opra.html As Another Memoir Is Faked, Trust Suffers], ''Nytimes.com'', 30 December 2008</ref> In 2011, Berkley Books launched its ebook imprint InterMix.<ref>[https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/49162-berkley-nal-to-launch-e-book-imprint-intermix.html Berkley/NAL to Launch E-book Imprint, InterMix], ''Publishersweekly.com'', 19 October 2011</ref>

⚫
In 2015, the sister paperback group [[New American Library]] was merged into Berkley.<ref>{{Cite web| title = Penguin Merges Berkley, NAL| work = PublishersWeekly.com| accessdate = 2018-01-15| url = https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/67234-penguin-merges-berkley-nal.html}}</ref><ref>[https://locusmag.com/2015/06/berkley-and-new-american-library-combined/ Berkley and New American Library Combined], ''Locusmag.com'', 26 June 2015</ref> In April 2015, Berkley Books signed the self-published author [[Jasinda Wilder]].<ref>Alison Flood, [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/apr/07/self-published-jasinder-wilder-traditional-imprint Self-published star Jasinda Wilder lands seven-figure deal with traditional imprint], ''Theguardian.com'', 7 April 2015</ref><ref>Carolyn Kellogg, [https://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-two-self-published-successes-sign-with-major-publishers-20150407-story.html Two self-published successes sign with major publishers], ''Latimes.com'', 7 April 2015</ref> In January 2016, Berkley was merged into Penhuin's Putnam/[[E. P. Dutton|Dutton]]. Ivan Held replaced Leslie Gelbman as president of Berkley Books.<ref>Calvin Reid, [https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/69131-more-changes-at-penguin-publishing-group.html Penguin Merges Berkley Into Putnam/Dutton], ''Publishersweekly.com'', 12 January 2016</ref> In 2020, Berkley Books announced two new horror books by [[Grady Hendrix]].<ref>[https://www.tor.com/2020/06/24/berkley-announces-two-new-horror-novels-by-grady-hendrix/ Berkley Announces Two New Horror Novels by Grady Hendrix], ''Tor.com'', 24 June 2020</ref>


===Imprints===
===Imprints===
Line 43: Line 39:


==Authors==
==Authors==
⚫
Its major authors have included:<ref name="OldDog">{{cite news| url = https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/13/books/book-notes-590988.html| title = Book notes| first = Edwin| last = McDowell| date= May 13, 1988|newspaper = [[The New York Times]]| access-date = February 18, 2011}}</ref>
Its major authors have included:

⚫
* [[Dale Brown]]<ref name = OldDog>{{cite news| url = https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/13/books/book-notes-590988.html| title = Book notes| first = Edwin| last = McDowell| date= May 13, 1988|newspaper = [[The New York Times]]| accessdate = February 18, 2011}}</ref>
{{Div col|colwidth=30em|content=* [[Christine Feehan]]
⚫
* [[Tom Clancy]]
⚫
* [[Patricia Cornwell]]
* [[Clive Cussler]]
* [[Clive Cussler]]
* [[Dale Brown]]
⚫
* [[Dean Koontz]]
⚫
* [[Frank Herbert]]
⚫
* [[John Varley (author)|John Varley]]
* [[Mark Greaney (novelist)|Mark Greaney]]
* [[Mark Greaney (novelist)|Mark Greaney]]
⚫
* [[Frank Herbert]]
⚫
* [[Dean Koontz]]
⚫
*[[Susan Meissner]]
⚫
* [[Vladimir Nabokov]]
* [[Nora Roberts]]
* [[Nora Roberts]]
⚫
* [[Patricia Cornwell]]
⚫
* [[John Varley (author)|John Varley]]
* [[Peter Vronsky]]
* [[Peter Vronsky]]
* [[Robert A. Heinlein]]
⚫
* [[Susan Meissner]]
⚫
* [[Tom Clancy]]
⚫
* [[Vladimir Nabokov]]}}

==Comic books==
*1976–1977: ''Bionic Woman PB'' (Berkley Novel)
*1977: ''From the Land Beyond Beyond SC: The Films of Willis O'Brien and Ray Harryhausen''
*1988: ''New Comics SC''
*1998: ''X-Men Empire's End PB'' (Berkley Novel)


==References==
==References==
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{{Penguin Random House}}
{{Penguin Random House}}
{{Portal bar|Companies|Books}}
{{Portal bar|Companies|Books}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Berkley Books books|*]]
[[Category:American speculative fiction publishers]]
[[Category:American speculative fiction publishers]]
[[Category:Book publishing companies based in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Book publishing companies based in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Science fiction publishers]]
[[Category:Science fiction publishers]]
[[Category:Publishing companies established in 1955]]
[[Category:Publishing companies established in 1955]]
[[Category:Pearson plc]]
[[Category:1955 establishments in New York City]]
[[Category:1955 establishments in New York (state)]]


{{US-publish-company-stub}}

Latest revision as of 15:23, 27 March 2024

Berkley Books
Parent companyPenguin Group (Penguin Random House)
Founded1955; 69 years ago (1955)
FounderCharles Byrne and Frederic Klein
Country of originUnited States
Headquarters locationNew York City
ImprintsAce, Jove, New American Library
Official websiteberkleyjoveauthors.com
berkleysignetmysteries.com

Berkley Books is now an imprint of the Penguin Group.

History

[edit]

Berkley Books began as an independent company in 1955. It was founded as "Chic News Company" by Charles Byrne and Frederick Klein, who had worked for Avon; they quickly renamed it Berkley Publishing Co. The new name was a coinage, combining elements of their surnames, unrelated to either the philosopher George Berkeley or Berkeley, California. Under their editor-in-chief Thomas Dardis, over the next few years Berkley developed a diverse line of popular fiction and non-fiction, both reprints and mass-market paperback originals, with a particularly strong history in science fiction (books of Robert A. Heinlein and Frank Herbert’s Dune novels, for example). The company was bought in 1965 by G. P. Putnam's Sons[1] and in years to follow undertook a hardcover line under the Berkley imprint, chiefly but not only for science fiction. For example, Merle Miller’s Plain Speaking: An Oral Biography of Harry S. Truman (1973), and The Search for J.F.K. by Joan and Clay Blair Jr. (1976) were substantial nonfiction books under that imprint. When Putnam bought Grosset & Dunlap and Playboy Press, the Jove, Ace and Playboy Press paperback lists were added to that of Berkley; the Playboy list was eventually absorbed into Berkley, while the Jove and Ace lists have continued as distinct imprints.

Following its publication (1985) of the paperback reprint edition of Tom Clancy's The Hunt for Red October, Berkley Books became increasingly interested in publishing military combat fiction and technothrillers; its publicity campaigns at military bases contributed to the success of its reprint edition of Dale Brown's Flight of the Old Dog.[2] The Penguin Group purchased Putnam in 1996. When Penguin merged with Random House in 2013 to form Penguin Random House, Berkley was integrated with the larger paperback line New American Library; the Berkley name was retained for that whole program, which is part of PRH's Penguin Adult group, and publishes in mass-market paperback, trade paperback, and hardcover formats.[2]

In December 2008, Berkley cancelled the publication of the Herman Rosenblat Holocaust memoir titled Angel at the Fence when it was discovered that the book's central events were untrue.[3][4] In 2011, Berkley Books launched its ebook imprint InterMix.[5] In September 2012, Berkley Books announced that a trilogy of erotic romance novels by Maya Banks had been acquired for publishing. Her trilogy was described as similar to the Fifty Shades trilogy, featuring three billionaires.[6][7]

In 2015, the sister paperback group New American Library was merged into Berkley.[8][9] In April 2015, Berkley Books signed the self-published author Jasinda Wilder.[10][11] In January 2016, Berkley was merged into Penguin's Putnam/Dutton. Ivan Held replaced Leslie Gelbman as president of Berkley Books.[12] In 2020, Berkley Books announced two new horror books by Grady Hendrix.[13]

Imprints

[edit]

Authors

[edit]

Its major authors have included:[14]

Comic books

[edit]
  • 1976–1977: Bionic Woman PB (Berkley Novel)
  • 1977: From the Land Beyond Beyond SC: The Films of Willis O'Brien and Ray Harryhausen
  • 1988: New Comics SC
  • 1998: X-Men Empire's End PB (Berkley Novel)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Robert D. McFadden, Walter J. Minton, Publisher Who Defied Censors, Dies at 96, Nytimes.com, 20 November 2019
  2. ^ "History of Berkley Books on the Penguin Group (USA) website". Archived from the original on March 15, 2006. Retrieved March 17, 2006.
  3. ^ "Publication of disputed Holocaust memoir canceled". Associated Press. December 27, 2008. Retrieved December 28, 2008.
  4. ^ Motoko Rich, Brian Stelter, As Another Memoir Is Faked, Trust Suffers, Nytimes.com, 30 December 2008
  5. ^ Berkley/NAL to Launch E-book Imprint, InterMix, Publishersweekly.com, 19 October 2011
  6. ^ Tara Fowler, 'Fifty Shades' Watch: Erotic book trilogy sells for seven figures, Ew.com, 17 September 2012
  7. ^ Mike Fleming Jr, Cliterature Cash! Maya Banks Gets 7-Figures For 'Fifty Shades'-Like Erotic Book Trilogy, Deadline.com, 17 September 2012 |accessdate=August 16, 2015
  8. ^ "Penguin Merges Berkley, NAL". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  9. ^ Berkley and New American Library Combined, Locusmag.com, 26 June 2015
  10. ^ Alison Flood, Self-published star Jasinda Wilder lands seven-figure deal with traditional imprint, Theguardian.com, 7 April 2015
  11. ^ Carolyn Kellogg, Two self-published successes sign with major publishers, Latimes.com, 7 April 2015
  12. ^ Calvin Reid, Penguin Merges Berkley Into Putnam/Dutton, Publishersweekly.com, 12 January 2016
  13. ^ Berkley Announces Two New Horror Novels by Grady Hendrix, Tor.com, 24 June 2020
  14. ^ McDowell, Edwin (May 13, 1988). "Book notes". The New York Times. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
[edit]
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