Simon & Schuster To Launch World Wrestling Federation Publishing Imprint

Posted on January 9, 2002

More books about wrestling and wrestlers are on the way. Simon & Schuster and the World Wrestling Federation have announced the creation of World Wrestling Federation Books, a new publishing imprint to launch in the Fall of 2002. The first book published will be the autobiography of a to-be-determined World Wrestling Federation personality. Previous autobiographies such as Mankind: Have a Nice Day and Foley Is Good by Mick Foley, and The Rock Says ... by The Rock, have been #1 New York Times bestsellers.

Under this new publishing program, Simon & Schuster will publish multiple titles yearly, based on the personalities, programming, storylines and other topics of interest to the World Wrestling Federation and its fans. Under the agreement, which is for global rights, World Wrestling Federation Books will publish autobiographies of and fiction based on World Wrestling Federation personalities, behind-the-scenes guides to the World Wrestling Federation, illustrated books, calendars, young adult books, and other general nonfiction books. World Wrestling Federation Books will be published in hardcover and large print editions, trade and mass market paperback, in audio on cassette and compact disc, and in ebook editions. Simon & Schuster UK and Simon & Schuster Australia will be the publishers of World Wrestling Federation books in the United Kingdom and Australia, respectively.

``The World Wrestling Federation is one of the instantly recognizable brand names in today's entertainment universe,'' said Jack Romanos, President and Chief Operating Officer of Simon & Schuster. ``Its global reach in broadcast, cable, live shows, new media, and consumer products makes it an ideal content partner. Working together, we will fully exploit its programming creativity and marketing savvy to produce a rich and diverse World Wrestling Federation publishing program.''

The majority of World Wrestling Federation Books will be published by Pocket Books, part of the Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group, under the direction of Executive Vice President and Publisher Louise Burke and Vice President, Associate Publisher Scott Shannon. Donna Goldsmith, Senior Vice President of Consumer Products, will oversee the venture for WWFE.

``Our success with our previous books has demonstrated that we are able to deliver the content. With Simon & Schuster's outstanding track record in entertainment-based publishing, as well its world-class sales and distribution team, we believe we have the winning formula for a successful partnership,'' said Linda McMahon, CEO of WWFE.