F+W Enters Trade Fiction Space With Purchase of Tyrus Books

Enthusiast publisher F+W Media has announced its entry into trade fiction publishing with the purchase of Tyrus Books and launch of its newest special interest community, F+W Crime.

Benjamin LeRoy, founder of Bleak House and Tyrus Books, will join F+W effective immediately. "LeRoy will guide the vision of the [F+W Crime] community and ensure the continued publication of the quality titles which have earned Tyrus books high praise from readers, reviewers, and the industry alike," states a press release from F+W.

Tyrus Books "publishes fiction dealing with crime and its repercussions," according to its website. Its titles have been finalists and award-winners of the Edgar Awards and Shamus Awards, and have been reviewed in Publisher's Weekly, The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times.

In addition to expanding the company's stable of properties beyond its non-fiction roster of self-help, arts and crafts, collectibles, trade, genealogy and outdoor pursuits, F+W Crime represents an aggressive new foray into e-books for the Cincinnati-based publisher.

F+W Crime will release up to 200 e-book titles in 2011 after its June launch. "The introduction of this e-book imprint aligns with the company's continued strategy to meet the needs of its communities and to endeavor to create the ideal consumer experience. Genre fiction is widely seen as the fastest growing segment of e-book sales and among the earliest to be embraced [by] avid dedicated readers, making it a perfect extension for the company," states the press release.