Lerner Publishing Group has acquired Zest Books, which publishes young adult nonfiction books on entertainment, history, science, health, fashion, and lifestyle advice. Zest will operate as a Lerner imprint and publish at least 10 new titles in 2019. Further expansion of the Zest list is planned thereafter.
The acquisitions adds some 60 backlist Zest Books titles to the Lerner Publishing Group catalog. Publisher Hallie Warshaw will continue to oversee acquisitions as the new publisher at large of Zest Books. Zest's operations will move to Lerner's Minneapolis office, and Lerner's distribution center will take over all processing, warehousing, fulfillment, billing, customer service, and credit and collection for frontlist and backlist titles, effective July 1, 2019.
Warshaw commented: "YA nonfiction is extremely important and relevant to today's teens, who deserve quality lifestyle advice and who are many times at the forefront of complicated current events. As teens continue to educate themselves and engage, YA nonfiction has become one of the fastest growing genres in publishing. Lerner will be a great home for Zest Books because it ensures that Zest will continue to publish relevant and compelling YA nonfiction, while providing the support and expertise to become an even larger player in the marketplace."
Lerner publisher and CEO Adam Lerner said, "Zest Books stands out in the marketplace because of the relevant, well-researched, and attractively designed YA nonfiction that Hallie has been publishing for more than 10 years. With Zest Books and Twenty-First Century Books both producing quality YA nonfiction, Lerner is expanding our commitment to create exceptional and cutting edge YA that is relevant to today's teen readers."