General market publisher Simon & Schuster announced it has acquired Howard Publishing, the Christian-market publishing company behind the 6 million-selling “Hugs” series, based in West Monroe, La. Terms of the acquisition were not made public.

As part of the deal, Howard will become an imprint of the Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Division. Current President John Howard-whose father founded the company in 1969-will serve as executive vice president and publisher.

The imprint's editorial and publishing staff will continue to be based in Louisiana.

“Howard Publishing is a wonderful complement to our existing businesses,” said Jack Romanos, president and CEO of Simon & Schuster. “It is a dynamic, emergent publishing company that offers us strategic and immediate entry into the increasingly important Christian and gift publishing marketplace.”

Howard's “extensive network of sales and distribution contacts in these markets will benefit our existing imprints and divisions,” he said.

As an imprint of Simon & Schuster, “Howard will have even greater opportunity to fulfill and expand upon its vision for publishing imaginative, faith-based, and meaningful titles,” Howard said.

Howard Publishing releases approximately 45 titles a year, with a backlist of about 350 titles.

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