Publisher Profile: Quirk Books
The CBC asks Nicole De Jackmo, EVP and Deputy Publisher, questions about the publisher.
How did your publishing house start out?
Quirk was founded in 2002 by David Borgenicht, creator of the best-selling Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook series. Prior to launching as an independent publisher, Quirk was a packager of irreverent nonfiction. Throughout its 20-year history, Quirk has made its mark by publishing a small list of seriously entertaining books for all ages.
What is your publishing house most known for?
Quirk is most known for publishing a small list of impactful books like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, the Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series, and the Pop Classics picture book series
Where in the country is your house based? What do you love about being based there?
Quirk is based in Philadelphia, a city that is nicely located between NYC and DC, that has an impressive restaurant scene, history, and nature.
How many employees does your house have?
24
How many books does your house aim to publish per season/year?
25-30 books per year.
Which genres does your house prefer to publish?
Quirk is known for publishing adult horror but we’ve also been known for giftable board books, offbeat nonfiction, and middle-grade fantasy.
Which formats does your house prefer to publish?
Quirk’s preferred formats are board books and trade paperback originals, but we also tend to think about the format on a title-by-title basis, focusing on how the content pairs with the format, what the reader wants, and how we can add something new or different to the category through the format.
Which title has your house recently rallied behind?
Natalie Nelson’s Dog’s and Cat’s First series continues with Dog’s First Christmas, a board book that captures all of the joy and wonder of Christmas through the eyes of Dog.
Which title does your house feel deserved more love than it got?
Andrew Knapp’s Find Momo Everywhere is a touching and beautiful tribute to the loss of a beloved pet. This picture book is an accessible and sweet way for families to address loss and grief.
Which upcoming titles is your house buzzing about?
Quirk recently acquired the previously self-published YA romance Gay the Pray Away by lauded audiobook narrator Natalie Naudus. Inspired by Naudus’s own experiences, Gay the Pray Away is a heartfelt and compelling debut about a queer teen breaking free of the conservative Christian cult she was raised in.
In June, Quirk will be entering the early readers category with the Zoomi and Zoe series with Zoomi and Zoe and the Tricky Turnaround. Written by the acclaimed Corey Ann Haydu and with sweet, quirky illustrations by Anne Appert, the Zoomi and Zoe series explores the wonder and anxiety of life’s first big transitions with warmth, whimsy, and plenty of silliness.
Which of your frontlist titles would be great for a school or public library?
Flora Ahn’s, A Brush With Magic is the perfect contemporary middle-grade fantasy set in modern-day Seoul, about sisterhood and belonging that is inspired by Korean folklore.
Which of your frontlist titles would be great for a classroom?
Quirk’s Kid Legend series is a great jumping-off point for biography research projects. Kid Musicians by Robin Stevenson will help 2nd and 3rd graders pinpoint interesting public figures to inspire them to learn more.
Name a few of your favorite backlist titles that people should check out.
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, Find Yaya and Boo at Home, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, and Cat’s First Baby.
Thank you, Quirk Books!
