The University of Nebraska Press acquired Potomac Books, which publishes military history and current affairs works, for $1.2 million, the Omaha World-Herald reported, noting that the purchase price included "$700,000 for existing inventory, $100,000 for approximately 500 e-book titles and the remainder for Potomac's trade name and future publishing rights." Under the deal, which took effect Monday, the NU Press will retain the Potomac name as an imprint.
"It expands into the military market and works well with UNL's (new) focus on defense research. That's a good synergy," said Donna Shear, director of the NU Press. Late last year, university leaders signed a multimillion dollar contract to do military research, the World-Herald noted.
Potomac publisher Sam Dorrance said the history and heritage of the NU Press "provides a strong environment for the work we do in Virginia to flourish. I am also pleased that Potomac Books will continue to work with our authors and vendors in the same manner as we have done for so many years."
Shear noted that approximately 5% of the NU Press's revenues come from e-book sales and Potomac's e-book revenues were attractive because they represent a revenue increase without additional expense for printing and warehousing.
