Forefront Books Named 2nd Fastest Growing Independent Publisher by Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly has named Forefront Books the second fastest growing independent publisher for the year ending 2022. Jonathan Merkh, whose publishing background includes executive roles with Thomas Nelson and Simon & Schuster, started the hybrid publisher Forefront Books in Nashville in 2018. The company began to pick up traction in 2020 and saw solid gains in both […]
Publishers Weekly has named Forefront Books the second fastest growing independent publisher for the year ending 2022.
Jonathan Merkh, whose publishing background includes executive roles with Thomas Nelson and Simon & Schuster, started the hybrid publisher Forefront Books in Nashville in 2018. The company began to pick up traction in 2020 and saw solid gains in both 2021 and 2022, leading to a sales increase of 216% in the three-year period.
Merkh sees the steady sales progress as success breeding success, noting that as Forefront’s sales grow it has attracted more successful authors, a number of whom had previously been published by larger traditional publishers. Glenn Beck and Joan Lunden are two examples of established personalities and authors who have been published by Forefront. Beck had one of Forefront’s biggest hits with The Great Reset, selling more than 250,000 copies since its publication in January 2022, according to the publisher, while Lunden’s Why Did I Come into This Room hit a number of bestseller lists.
“We are seeing more and more interest from successful authors with platforms who are tired of playing games with the big publishers,” Merkh says. “Our model provides them more flexibility and control, and a better payout on the back end.”
Partnering with key brands has helped Forefront quickly build a backlist. An agreement with Worth Media has resulted in signed deals for nearly 20 titles under the Worth Media imprint. Merkh has also created imprints with leadership guru John Maxwell and launched a Jewish Leadership imprint with entrepreneur Michael Levin. In addition, Forefront started Frederick Douglass Books with the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives Foundation to, Merkh says, “give a voice to Black and brown voices around social justice and human trafficking.”
Merkh turned to one of his former employers, S&S, for distribution. “Without them we wouldn’t be anywhere near the size we are,” he says. “Their sales force has been amazing.”
Forefront’s success, and changes in the industry, have resulted in the publisher getting more submissions from agents. “When I announced Forefront to agents they wished me luck, but didn’t think this would work for their clients because of the advances they were looking for,” Merkh explains. “Now, more and more are either finding it difficult to sell midlist authors or just don’t like what publishing houses are offering, and they’re finding our alternative to be a solution for their authors.”