When Landmark editorial manager Shana Drehs delved into Dianne Dixon's The Book of Someday, it turned into a marathon, late-night reading session. "I couldn't do anything else until I finished it," Drehs said.
This kind of compelling story--in this case, a tale of love, regret and betrayal in the lives of three women who share a mysterious connection--is just the kind of book that Landmark has been looking for as it expands its lineup of fiction suitable for book clubs, beginning in March. (See below for title highlights.) From quirky to suspenseful, poignant to humorous, contemporary and historical, the original voices and entertaining tales are "dramatic, emotional, and gripping--the kinds of novels that people can't stop talking about," Drehs said. The imprint, she continued, wants to find broader audiences for the first-rate writers and unique voices on their list and "to bring readers stories we know they'll love."
Among other titles on the list that Drehs acquired early on with book clubs in mind are James Markert's A White Wind Blew, about a doctor at a tuberculosis sanatorium who uses music to help his patients. A darker, heavier tale than the more commercial fiction Landmark also publishes, it's likely to appeal to readers of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and Bel Canto. "It's a really compelling story and, I thought, this is the kind of audience we need to be reaching," said Drehs.
Another early purchase was The One-Way Bridge by Cathie Pelletier, who got an unexpected in-house boost. When Pelletier's name was mentioned at sales conference, without even knowing the specifics of what was on offer, children's books editor Steve Geck gave his hearty endorsement. The nine-time novelist's works include The Weight of Winter, a winner of the New England Booksellers Award. (See below for Geck's interview with Pelletier.)
The additional emphasis on book club reads marks another step in the growth of Landmark, Sourcebooks' flagship fiction imprint, which was launched in 2001, 14 years after Dominique Raccah left an advertising career and founded the company in a spare bedroom in her home. Today the Naperville, Ill., publisher has nearly 100 employees and produces more than 400 titles annually. Along with fiction, the offerings include nonfiction in an array of categories, gift books, calendars, children's titles, YA and more.
Landmark's inaugural publications were Tony Parsons's Man and Boy, the 2000 British Book of the Year, and Michael Malone's New York Times bestseller First Lady. "Our fiction list has grown dramatically since then and has been real evolutionary," said Todd Stocke, Sourcebooks editorial director. The imprint has expanded into commercial women's fiction and historical fiction set in different eras, even becoming the world's leading publisher of Jane Austen sequels. (Sourcebooks also does a romance line, Casablanca.)
In considering likely areas for growth for Landmark, Stocke and Drehs took a strategic look at the marketplace and decided to add more book club fiction based on what was selling best in stores. Expanding in this area also offers an opportunity to build on Landmark's current successes. In addition to the new authors being brought on board, some writers already published by the company are now part of the book club initiative.
One is Susanna Kearsley, author of the forthcoming The Firebird, a time-slip romantic adventure. When Landmark acquired a new work by her several years ago, it bought her backlist as well and have transformed a once-lackluster sales record into New York Times bestselling status. Kearsley has garnered a diverse following, appealing to readers of literary fiction, romance, and time-slip and time travel. "It's not easy for a writer to be beloved by what are in essence very different communities, and she does it brilliantly," Stocke said.