Threshold Editions

Threshold Editions
Parent companyGallery Publishing Group (Simon & Schuster)
Founded2006
Country of originUnited States
Headquarters locationSimon & Schuster Building
New York City
Publication typesBooks
Nonfiction topicsConservative non-fiction
Official websitewww.simonandschuster.com

Threshold Editions is an imprint of book publisher Simon & Schuster, a division of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, specializing in conservative non-fiction.[1] The imprint was co-founded by Mary Matalin, serving as its first editor-in-chief,[2][3] and Louise Burke, who served as publisher until 2017.[1][4]

History

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Threshold Editions was founded to "provide a forum for the creative people, bedrock principles, and innovative ideas of contemporary conservatism".[5] The imprint was launched after Penguin Books launched Sentinel and Random House launched Crown Forum.[2] Within four years of launching and due to Matalin's network, the imprint had already counted Glenn Beck, Vice President Dick Cheney, and Karl Rove among its authors and was producing bestselling books.[2]

The publisher of Threshold Editions, Louise Burke, stated in an interview that Threshold "best understands the conservative book-buying audience--a key factor needed to keep the hits coming."[3] Matalin and Burke were introduced in 2005 and Burke said, "We were kindred spirits and we took it from there." Of the launch Burke said, "This is an area where it really helps to be a believer. I don't feel you can be successful in this particular genre if you are opposed to the message."[3]

Glenn Beck's book, An Inconvenient Book, reached No.1 on the New York Times Bestseller in 2007.[6]

Karl Rove sold his memoirs, Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight, to Threshold in 2007 after an auction with nine bidders, including another one of Simon & Schuster's imprints, Free Press. Rove, who received a seven-figure deal, stated that he chose the imprint as he was a longtime friend of Mary Matalin.[6]

While sales of hardcovers were down for Simon & Schuster in 2009 and early 2010, Threshold Editions had the biggest hits for the company.[7]

By 2014, Threshold was not only publishing memoirs and political commentary, but also young adult and fiction novels such as Rush Limbaugh's Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims.[8]

In 2015, Threshold signed a book deal with Donald Trump, for a book originally titled Crippled America: How to Make America Great Again. The title was later changed to Great Again: How to Fix Crippled America. The book debuted at #5 on Publishers Weekly Frontlist Hardcover Nonfiction list.[9]

In late 2016, Threshold signed a deal with Milo Yiannopoulos with a purported advance of US$250,000 for his book Dangerous.[10][11][12] The Hollywood Reporter broke the news and social media quickly responded.[13] Within 24 hours of the book being announced it had reached number one on the Amazon best-seller list.[14][15]

Publication of the book by Simon & Schuster was eventually canceled in February 2017 after a video clip of Yiannopoulos appearing to defend pedophilia resurfaced. He defended himself asserting that he had used regrettably "imprecise language" and was not an advocate for pedophilia.[16] Yiannopoulos attempted to sue the publishers for breach of contract, but later dropped his lawsuit.[17]

Authors

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The imprint's authors include:

Broadcasters
Political leaders
Political commentators

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "About Threshold Editions". Simon & Schuster. Archived from the original on 2010-04-20. Retrieved 2010-04-10.
  2. ^ a b c "Mary Matalin helps turn the pages". Politico. July 21, 2009. Retrieved 2010-04-10.
  3. ^ a b c "Mary Matalin helps turn the pages". Politico. Retrieved 2016-12-30.
  4. ^ Milliot, Jim (16 June 2021). "Publishing Veterans Form New Conservative Publisher". PublishersWeekly.com. Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  5. ^ "Threshold Editions | Home". simonandschusterpublishing.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2016.
  6. ^ a b Rich, Motoko (2007-12-22). "Rove Reaps His Reward". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-12-30.
  7. ^ "Karp Replaces Rosenthal at Simon & Schuster". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
  8. ^ "Facts & Figures 2013: For Children's Books, Divergent Led the Pack". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
  9. ^ "PW Online and On Air: Week of November 16, 2015". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2016-12-30.
  10. ^ Roy, Jessica (29 December 2016). "Milo Yiannopoulos, controversial Breitbart editor, lands a reported $250,000 book deal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2016-12-30.
  11. ^ "Milo Yiannopoulos Strikes $250K Book Deal (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
  12. ^ Katz, Amanda; Mathis-Lilley, Ben (2017-01-05). "Should Simon & Schuster Be Publishing Alt-Right Hatemonger Milo Yiannopoulos' Book?". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved 2017-01-08.
  13. ^ Hunt, Elle (December 29, 2016). "Breitbart's Milo Yiannopoulos claims lucrative deal struck for autobiography". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
  14. ^ "Milo Yiannopoulos' just-announced book hits No. 1 on Amazon—here's our Q&A with him". Business Insider. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
  15. ^ Seipel, Brooke (2016-12-30). "Alt-right leader's book hits No. 1 on Amazon". The Hill. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
  16. ^ Izadi, Elahe (February 20, 2017). "Milo Yiannopoulos loses his book deal with Simon & Schuster amid growing outcry". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  17. ^ Schaub, Michael (February 20, 2018). "Milo Yiannopoulos ends his lawsuit against Simon & Schuster". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  18. ^ a b "Book Reviews, Bestselling Books & Publishing Business News". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
  19. ^ "Book Deals: Week of November 18, 2013". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
  20. ^ "Nonfiction Book Review: Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto by Mark R. Levin". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
  21. ^ "Book Reviews, Bestselling Books & Publishing Business News". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
  22. ^ "Book Reviews, Bestselling Books & Publishing Business News". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
  23. ^ "Trump Signs for New Book with S&S". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
  24. ^ "Book Reviews, Bestselling Books & Publishing Business News". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
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