(Press Release) Philadelphia, PA May 13, 2011 – Independent publisher Quirk Books announces the redesign of its website and the return to Quirkbooks.com.
After three years as Irreference.com, Quirk has reinstated Quirkbooks.com as the company website. This domain-name homecoming is not without a reinvention, however. The site, created in collaboration with Philadelphia branding agency 160over90, features a fresh look, original and book-related content, lifestyle communities, and an integrated social media platform.
"The new Quirkbooks.com will put us that much closer to our fans and readers and will be a great resource for our authors, retailers, and partners," said president and publisher David Borgenicht. "It will continue to be a repository for our irreverent yet commercial content but will now also be a great communication and sharing platform for the buzz-worthy books and news we publish in digital and print form. At the same time, it better reflects the direction of our current publishing program, which includes more original fiction," Borgenicht said.
Envisioned as a hub where Quirk fans can meet, connect, and share, the redesigned site offers a blog with daily posts on the homepage; interactive book pages with comment sections, author information, and links to e-retailers; wikis for users to share information; and two niche communities that have been branded with their own logos and feature focused content.
The two inaugural community groups-Planet Quirk, a sci-fi, fantasy, and horror page, and Homemade Quirk, a crafting, cooking, and entertainment page-are the key new components of the site. Both were designed with the Quirk fan base in mind.
"We understand that the Quirk audience shares similar characteristics, but not necessarily the same interests. Some come for zombies and fiction. Others come for crafting and recipes. These two communities were tailored to provide the content those visitors seek. Moreover, both groups have a Facebook and Twitter feed so that visitors can stay connected. We hope to launch additional community pages soon," said Quirk Books vice president Brett Cohen, who managed the redesign.
As part of the continued effort to focus on content and communities, Quirk has decided to no longer process and fulfill retail orders directly on the website. Instead, all book pages will feature links to retail partners, including Amazon, B&N, Borders, and Indiebound.
Eric Smith, Quirk's social media and marketing coordinator, will continue in his current role and also act as the site's editor in chief. Smith, who founded the popular Philadelphia blog Geekadelphia, will curate blog posts from authors and guests and will write for the site as well.
Beginning May 17, Quirkbooks.com will serialize the first several chapters of the highly anticipated Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs, leading up to the book's June 7 publication date. In addition, in the coming weeks Quirk will host contests for fans and visitors to the site.
"The new QuirkBooks.com reflects the spirit of innovation and sharing that permeates our company. At its core, the site is a social catalog that uses social media to connect our staff, our authors, and our fans to tell an ever-expanding and up-to-the-minute story around each book," said Cohen.
About Quirk Books
Quirk Books is an independent book publisher based in Philadelphia. Founded in 2002, Quirk publishes books in the genre of what they like to call "irreference" (irreverence + reference) as well as pop culture, parenting, food and drink, history, humor, and lifestyle. They are best known for The Baby Owner's Manual, the New York Times best seller Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, and the Quirk Classics series, which blends the work of literary masters with new scenes of horrific creatures and gruesome action. Quirk Books is distributed by Random House. For more information, visit the new Quirkbooks.com!
Quirk Books Launches New Interactive Website
(Press Release) Philadelphia, PA May 13, 2011 – Independent publisher Quirk Books announces the redesign of its website and the return to Quirkbooks.com.
After three years as Irreference.com, Quirk has reinstated Quirkbooks.com as the company website. This domain-name homecoming is not without a reinvention, however. The site, created in collaboration with Philadelphia branding agency 160over90, features a fresh look, original and book-related content, lifestyle communities, and an integrated social media platform.
"The new Quirkbooks.com will put us that much closer to our fans and readers and will be a great resource for our authors, retailers, and partners," said president and publisher David Borgenicht. "It will continue to be a repository for our irreverent yet commercial content but will now also be a great communication and sharing platform for the buzz-worthy books and news we publish in digital and print form. At the same time, it better reflects the direction of our current publishing program, which includes more original fiction," Borgenicht said.
Envisioned as a hub where Quirk fans can meet, connect, and share, the redesigned site offers a blog with daily posts on the homepage; interactive book pages with comment sections, author information, and links to e-retailers; wikis for users to share information; and two niche communities that have been branded with their own logos and feature focused content.
The two inaugural community groups-Planet Quirk, a sci-fi, fantasy, and horror page, and Homemade Quirk, a crafting, cooking, and entertainment page-are the key new components of the site. Both were designed with the Quirk fan base in mind.
"We understand that the Quirk audience shares similar characteristics, but not necessarily the same interests. Some come for zombies and fiction. Others come for crafting and recipes. These two communities were tailored to provide the content those visitors seek. Moreover, both groups have a Facebook and Twitter feed so that visitors can stay connected. We hope to launch additional community pages soon," said Quirk Books vice president Brett Cohen, who managed the redesign.
As part of the continued effort to focus on content and communities, Quirk has decided to no longer process and fulfill retail orders directly on the website. Instead, all book pages will feature links to retail partners, including Amazon, B&N, Borders, and Indiebound.
Eric Smith, Quirk's social media and marketing coordinator, will continue in his current role and also act as the site's editor in chief. Smith, who founded the popular Philadelphia blog Geekadelphia, will curate blog posts from authors and guests and will write for the site as well.
Beginning May 17, Quirkbooks.com will serialize the first several chapters of the highly anticipated Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs, leading up to the book's June 7 publication date. In addition, in the coming weeks Quirk will host contests for fans and visitors to the site.
"The new QuirkBooks.com reflects the spirit of innovation and sharing that permeates our company. At its core, the site is a social catalog that uses social media to connect our staff, our authors, and our fans to tell an ever-expanding and up-to-the-minute story around each book," said Cohen.
About Quirk Books
Quirk Books is an independent book publisher based in Philadelphia. Founded in 2002, Quirk publishes books in the genre of what they like to call "irreference" (irreverence + reference) as well as pop culture, parenting, food and drink, history, humor, and lifestyle. They are best known for The Baby Owner's Manual, the New York Times best seller Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, and the Quirk Classics series, which blends the work of literary masters with new scenes of horrific creatures and gruesome action. Quirk Books is distributed by Random House. For more information, visit the new Quirkbooks.com!