Pocket Books
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 1939 |
| Founder | Robert Fair de Graff, Richard L. Simon, M. Lincoln Schuster, Leon Shimkin |
| Fate | Acquired by Simon & Schuster in 1966 |
| Products | Paperback books, hardcover books, licensed fiction (e.g., Star Trek novels) |
| Parent | Simon & Schuster |
Pocket Books operates as a subsidiary of Simon & Schuster, focusing primarily on paperback publications.
History
Established in 1939 by businessman Robert Fair de Graff in collaboration with Simon & Schuster founders Richard L. Simon, M. Lincoln Schuster, and Leon Shimkin, Pocket Books was a trailblazer in launching the first mass-produced, pocket-sized paperback editions in the United States, transforming the landscape of book publishing. Drawing inspiration from European pioneers such as Germany’s Albatross Books and the UK’s Penguin Books, Pocket Books offered economical editions priced at 25 cents, featuring reprints spanning popular fiction, nonfiction, and mystery genres. Their compact size and glued bindings were cost-effective design choices that supported their strategy of distributing through unconventional retail outlets.
The company debuted with ten titles in May 1939, each with approximately 10,000 copies printed. This initial selection included both timeless classics and contemporary literature like Lost Horizon by James Hilton, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie, and Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. Notably, Wuthering Heights achieved bestseller status, selling its initial 100,000 copies within just one week. By the end of that year, Pocket Books had moved over 1.5 million units. Robert de Graff expanded the offerings by incorporating movie tie-ins and emphasizing mystery novels, thereby increasing the company’s market presence.
During the World War II era, Pocket Books prospered as resource shortages favored paperback production over other formats. The firm pursued legal action against Avon Books concerning copyright disputes but did not obtain exclusive control over the pocket-sized book format.
In 1944, ownership transferred to Marshall Field III. Following Field’s passing in 1957, Leon Shimkin and James M. Jacobson acquired Pocket Books for $5 million. The company was subsequently absorbed by Simon & Schuster in 1966, becoming part of their organizational framework.
Under the leadership of CEO Richard E. Snyder, Phyllis E. Grann advanced to lead Pocket Books before ascending as the first female CEO of a major publishing house—highlighting a landmark example of strategic management within the sector.
By 1981, Pocket’s bestselling title was Dr. Benjamin Spock's Baby and Child Care, which had sold 28 million copies since its acquisition in 1946. In 1989, the imprint ventured into hardcover publishing with Susan Sussman’s The Dieter marking its first release in this format.
Pocket Books established considerable market influence through licensed fiction tied to television and film properties such as Star Trek. After securing the license from Bantam Books in 1979, Pocket has issued hundreds of original and adapted Star Trek novels, maintaining a consistent publication schedule that contributed significantly to growth within this franchise niche. From 2017 onward, Star Trek titles have increasingly been published under Simon & Schuster's Gallery Books imprint.
The division also formerly managed novels linked to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which are now overseen by Simon Spotlight Entertainment. Additionally, Pocket holds publishing rights to James O'Barr's acclaimed graphic novel The Crow, underscoring its varied portfolio within the publishing industry.
Imprints
- Baen Books — specializes in science fiction and fantasy (distribution), featuring the Honor Harrington series
- Cardinal Edition
- Downtown Press — focuses on chick lit
- Gallery Books
- G-Unit Books
- Juno Books — previously operated as an imprint under Wildside Press
- MTV/VH1 Books
- Paraview Pocket Books
- Permabooks
- Pocket Star Books — offers media tie-ins and digital books
- Threshold Editions — publishes conservative works
- WWE Books
Discontinued imprints
- Sonnet — romance genre
- Timescape Books — science fiction titles
- Wanderer Books