The Globe Pequot Publishing Group: History and Evolution
The Globe Pequot Publishing Group is a prominent American independent book publishing company with a legacy spanning over seven decades. Founded in 1949, the organization has evolved through strategic acquisitions and structural shifts to become a versatile player in the trade books market, specializing in regional interests and diverse niche subjects.
Originally operating under the name Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, the company underwent a significant transformation in 2024. This shift was prompted by the sale of its academic and professional divisions, leading the holding company to adopt the name of one of its most enduring trade imprints: Globe Pequot.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1949 by Walter Rowman and Arthur W. Littlefield.
- Headquarters: Essex, Connecticut, United States.
- Current Focus: Trade books, regional interests, and specialized imprints.
- Major Transition: Renamed from Rowman & Littlefield to The Globe Pequot Publishing Group in May 2024.
- Distribution: Currently handled by Simon & Schuster Distribution Services (US) and NBN International (UK).
Corporate History and Evolution
The Rowman & Littlefield Era
The modern structure of the company began to take shape in 1988 when the University Press of America acquired Rowman & Littlefield, subsequently using the latter as the name for the holding company. Over the following decades, the group expanded its reach, including the establishment of Rowman & Littlefield International in London in 2013, which operates as an editorially independent entity focusing on academic works in Cultural Studies, Politics & International Relations, and Philosophy.
Beyond publishing, the company demonstrated a commitment to academia by sponsoring the Rowman & Littlefield Award in Innovative Teaching. This is the only national award in the United States dedicated to political science pedagogy, granted annually by the American Political Science Association.
The 2024 Transition to Globe Pequot
A pivotal change occurred on May 29, 2024, when the company sold its professional and academic publishing business to Bloomsbury Publishing. This transaction included the Rowman & Littlefield name and trademark. While the sale included some trade assets like Backbeat Books and Applause Books, it excluded the core trade business under Globe Pequot and the school publishing arm, Sundance Newbridge.
Following the loss of the Rowman & Littlefield trademark, the holding company rebranded as The Globe Pequot Publishing Group. Shortly thereafter, in September 2024, the company sold Sundance Newbridge to Lerner Publishing.
Changes in Distribution
The company previously owned the National Book Network (NBN), a book distributor based in Lanham, Maryland. However, it was announced that NBN would close in 2025, with title distribution transitioning to Simon & Schuster Distribution Services during the second half of that year.
Imprints and Portfolio
The Globe Pequot Publishing Group manages a vast array of imprints, allowing it to target specific market segments from outdoor guides to specialized history.
Current Active Imprints
- Globe Pequot Press: Acquired in 2014 from Morris Communications.
- Prometheus Books: Acquired in 2019.
- Falcon Guides: Specialized outdoor and travel guides.
- Stackpole Books: Acquired in 2015.
- Down East Books: Acquired in 2013.
- Other notable imprints: Astragal Press, Eclipse Press, Gooseberry Patch, Lyons Press, Muddy Boots, North Country Press, Pineapple Press, Riverbend Publishing, Sheridan House, Union Park Press, Waterford Press, TwoDot Books, and the Northland Publishing backlist (including Luna Rising and Rising Moon).
Former Imprints
The company's history includes numerous imprints that have since been sold or discontinued. Notable examples include Lexington Books, Bernan Press, and Hal Leonard Books, all of which were sold to Bloomsbury Publishing in 2024. Other former imprints include the University Press of America, Scarecrow Press, and Sheed & Ward.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1949 |
| Founders | Walter Rowman & Arthur W. Littlefield |
| Current Name | The Globe Pequot Publishing Group |
| Former Name | Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group |
| Primary Location | Essex, Connecticut, USA |
| Key Distribution Partner | Simon & Schuster Distribution Services |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the company change its name from Rowman & Littlefield?
The company changed its name because the Rowman & Littlefield name and trademark were included in the sale of its academic and professional publishing business to Bloomsbury Publishing in May 2024.
What happened to the National Book Network?
The National Book Network is scheduled to close in 2025, with its distribution services moving to Simon & Schuster Distribution Services.
Which imprints were sold to Bloomsbury Publishing?
Major imprints sold to Bloomsbury include Lexington Books, Bernan Press, Applause Books, Backbeat Books, and Hal Leonard Books.
What is the Rowman & Littlefield Award in Innovative Teaching?
It is the only national teaching award in the United States for political science, awarded annually by the American Political Science Association to those who have advanced political science pedagogy.
Does the company still publish academic books?
The primary academic and professional publishing business was sold to Bloomsbury. However, Rowman & Littlefield International in London remains an editorially independent entity focusing on Philosophy, Politics & International Relations, and Cultural Studies.