Golden Books and Parachute Press to Publish 65 New Books by R.L. Stine

Posted on August 13, 1997

Golden Books Family Entertainment and Parachute Publishing announced that they have signed an agreement to create a new imprint to publish 65 new Fear Street books by author R.L. Stine. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The agreement with Parachute Publishing for the best-selling author in children's book history, gives Golden Books the exclusive rights to publish the new books throughout the world in all languages. Golden has acquired the rights to new titles of Fear Street, Stine's original series for young adult readers, as well as the spin-off Ghosts of Fear Street and Fear Street Sagas. In total, there are more than 40 million books in the Fear Street series in print. Ghosts of Fear Street is currently in pre-production as a pilot for an ABC prime-time television series. Golden's R.L. Stine series will be sold through all of its current distribution channels.

"This agreement with the preeminent author and packager of children's thrillers will enable Golden Books to extend its market from 0-7 to reach 8-14 year olds for the first time," said Willa Perlman, President and Publisher, Golden Books Children's Publishing Group. "It has long been our intent to grow with our readers. This is our billboard deal for that new market. We will be adding two additional franchise properties shortly."

Joan Waricha, chairman and chief executive of Parachute Properties, the parent of Parachute Publishing, which produces all R.L. Stine-authored and other notable works, said, "We are partnering with Golden because they share our aggressive, innovative approach to children's books, they are committed to growth and expansion, and because Golden has unparalleled distribution to the mass market. After a successful decade with Pocket Books on Fear Street, we wanted to be part of Golden's expansion into the older grades."

"I'm thrilled to be part of the Golden Entertainment family," said R.L. Stine, "I look forward to working with Golden's talented staff to explore new opportunities for Fear Street and to bring the books to even more readers."

First published in 1989, Parachute's Fear Street launched a new genre in children's publishing, the horror book series. Parachute followed Fear Street with Goosebumps, which is the all-time best-selling book series for children. America's leading children's book packager, Parachute has over one-quarter billion books in print.