SIMON & SCHUSTER is one of the world’s most prominent publishing companies and a leading force in trade publishing, the sector dedicated to producing books for general readers rather than academic or professional markets. Established in New York City in 1924, the firm has evolved from a niche publisher of crossword puzzle books into a global organisation with extensive lists for adults, children, and young adults, alongside significant audiobook and international operations.1

As of 2023, SIMON & SCHUSTER operates as a standalone private company owned by the global investment firm KKR, following its acquisition from Paramount Global for $1.62 billion.2 The company reports that it publishes more than 2,000 new titles annually, with its catalogue available in print and digital formats across over 200 countries and territories.4

SIMON & SCHUSTER was established in 1924 by Richard L. Simon and M. Lincoln Schuster, who was commonly known as Max. The company’s inaugural publication, The Cross Word Puzzle Book, was released on April 10, 1924. Capitalising on the widespread popularity of crosswords during the 1920s, the title became an unexpected commercial success and set a precedent for the company’s ability to identify cultural trends and translate them into bestselling books.5

The company name is derived directly from the surnames of its two founders. During its early decades, SIMON & SCHUSTER expanded beyond puzzles to become a significant American trade publisher. A pivotal development in this period was its association with Pocket Books, a pioneer of the mass-market paperback format. In 1944, both SIMON & SCHUSTER and Pocket Books were sold to department store magnate Marshall Field. Following Field’s death, Simon, Schuster, and other former owners eventually repurchased the business, cementing the company’s role in making books accessible to wider audiences through inexpensive paperback editions.5

Gulf + Western and expansion

In 1975, Leon Shimkin sold SIMON & SCHUSTER to Gulf + Western Industries, marking the beginning of a nearly five-decade period during which the publisher operated as part of larger conglomerates.5 Throughout the 1980s, the company pursued aggressive expansion, acquiring more than 60 companies, including educational and professional publishers. Notable among these was the 1994 acquisition of Macmillan Publishing Company.6 By 1997, revenues had exceeded $2 billion, reflecting a business that had grown far beyond traditional trade publishing to include reference works, educational materials, and professional titles.7

Viacom and divestiture

Following Gulf + Western’s reorganisation as Paramount Communications in 1989, Viacom acquired the company in 1994, bringing SIMON & SCHUSTER into its corporate structure.8 However, Viacom later moved to divest non-trade assets; in 1998, the educational, professional, and reference businesses were sold to Pearson. This transaction refocused SIMON & SCHUSTER on its core identity as a consumer trade publisher.9

CBS Corporation and Paramount Global

In 2006, Viacom split into two publicly traded entities, with SIMON & SCHUSTER becoming part of CBS Corporation.10 The publisher remained under this umbrella until CBS and Viacom reunited in 2019 to form ViacomCBS, which was subsequently renamed Paramount Global.

Acquisition by KKR

In the early 2020s, Paramount Global sought to sell the publishing division. On August 7, 2023, an agreement was announced for KKR to acquire SIMON & SCHUSTER for $1.62 billion in cash.26 The transaction was completed in October 2023, returning the firm to independence as a standalone private company for the first time in almost fifty years.3 The company described this transition as a return to its roots as an independent publisher.11

SIMON & SCHUSTER is led by Jonathan Karp, who serves as President and Chief Executive Officer. A prominent figure in American publishing, Karp has been closely associated with the company’s editorial strategy. Following the acquisition by KKR, he and the existing management team retained their leadership roles.12

SIMON & SCHUSTER maintains a diverse catalogue spanning multiple genres and demographics.

Adult fiction

The company’s fiction list encompasses literary and commercial fiction, romance, fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, mystery, crime, thriller, horror, women’s fiction, and contemporary fiction.

Adult nonfiction

Nonfiction titles cover biography and memoir, history, politics, current affairs, business, economics, psychology, self-help, health and wellness, food and cooking, popular science, religion and spirituality, lifestyle, culture, essays, and true crime.

Children’s and young adult

The children’s division publishes across a wide range of ages and formats, including picture books, board books, early readers, chapter books, middle-grade fiction, young adult fiction and nonfiction, graphic novels, and licensed properties.13

Audio

Audiobooks are a significant component of the modern business, published under the SIMON & SCHUSTER Audio imprint.14

SIMON & SCHUSTER operates numerous imprints, each with distinct editorial identities and target audiences. Key imprints include:

• Scribner: Dating back to 1846, this imprint predates SIMON & SCHUSTER itself and has a storied literary history, having published authors such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Edith Wharton. It continues to publish major literary fiction and nonfiction.15
• SIMON & SCHUSTER: The flagship imprint publishes authors with distinctive voices and stories. Associated imprints include 37 Ink, Saga Press, and Summit Books.16
• Atria Books: Publishes a broad range of fiction and nonfiction. Specialized imprints under Atria include Emily Bestler Books, One Signal Publishers, Washington Square Press, Primero Sueño Press, and Black Privilege Publishing.17
• Gallery Books: Focuses on commercial titles including popular culture, memoir, romance, thrillers, mysteries, horror, self-help, and cultural commentary. Related labels include Scout Press, Gallery 13, and Pocket Books.18
• Avid Reader Press: Dedicated to ambitious fiction and nonfiction with an emphasis on intensive editorial collaboration.19
• Adams Media: Specialises in lifestyle-oriented publishing, covering cooking, personal finance, spirituality, self-help, and journals.20
• SIMON & SCHUSTER Books for Young Readers: The flagship children’s imprint, publishing award-winning and commercially successful literature for various age groups.21
• Little Simon: Focuses on books for younger children, including board books, novelty books, early readers, and graphic novels.22

While headquartered in the United States, SIMON & SCHUSTER maintains a significant international footprint with dedicated operations in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, and the Netherlands/Benelux region (through VBK). Its titles are distributed globally, reaching readers in more than 200 countries and territories.23

As a major traditional publisher, SIMON & SCHUSTER acquires publishing rights and manages the commercialisation of books. This process involves editorial development, copyediting, design, production, printing, distribution, marketing, publicity, sales, and rights licensing. This infrastructure distinguishes the traditional publishing relationship from self-publishing, where authors typically manage and finance these functions independently. The company generates revenue through multiple formats and subsidiary rights, including hardcover, paperback, e-book, and audiobook sales, as well as international editions, translation rights, and film or television adaptations.

The company states that its mission is to publish works that educate, entertain, and inspire, aiming to stimulate curiosity and intellectual exploration through books representing diverse perspectives.24 This reflects its identity as a general-interest publisher rather than a specialist academic press.

SIMON & SCHUSTER holds a significant position in the publishing industry due to its longevity, scale, and literary heritage. Having operated continuously since 1924, it celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024.24 The company combines historic publishing traditions, exemplified by imprints like Scribner, with a contemporary private-equity ownership structure under KKR. As of 2026, it continues to operate as a major independent trade publisher with a vast portfolio of imprints and global distribution capabilities.25

1. Corporate Overview | Simon & Schuster
2. KKR to Acquire Simon & Schuster from Paramount Global for $1.62 Billion | Paramount
3. KKR Announces Completion of Acquisition of Simon & Schuster from Paramount
4. New Book Releases, Bestsellers, Author Info and more at Simon & Schuster | Simon & Schuster
5. Corporate History | Simon & Schuster
6. Divisions & Imprints | Simon & Schuster
7. Simon & Schuster UK | Imprints and Divisions | Simon & Schuster UK
8. Imprints – Simon & Schuster Submission Selector
9. Help Center – Contact Information | Simon & Schuster
10. Help Center and FAQ | Simon & Schuster
11. Simon & Schuster Submission Selector
12. Editors – Simon & Schuster Submission Selector
13. Simon & Schuster – Wikidata
14. Simon & Schuster – Wikidata
15. Simon & Schuster Turns 100
16. The Founders | Book by Jimmy Soni | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster
17. KKR Completes Purchase of Simon & Schuster
18. KKR to Acquire Simon & Schuster from Paramount Global for $1.62 Billion | Simon & Schuster
19. Paramount to sell Simon & Schuster to private equity firm KKR for $1.62 billion – CBS News
20. Paramount sells Simon & Schuster to private investment firm | KPBS Public Media
21. Merger Agreement Terminated: A Memo from Jonathan Karp | Simon & Schuster
22. SimonandSchuster.com | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster
23. New Book Releases, Bestsellers, Author Info and more at Simon & Schuster | Simon & Schuster
24. Celebrate 100 years of publishing at Simon & Schuster! | Simon & Schuster
25. Corporate Information | Simon & Schuster UK
26. KKR to Acquire Simon & Schuster from Paramount Global for $1.62 Billion