Hachette Book Group Will Acquire Workman Publishing for $240 Million

With its unique approach to publishing, Workman has maintained it own sales force, and has sold its line far beyond bookstores. Both Reynolds and Pietsch said that they see a big opportunity in reaching those markets with a broader list from the combined companies.

Another practical reason for the deal, Reynolds said, is that it costs of a good a deal of money to invest in the type of publishing Workman does. Freed from the distraction of maintaining its own infrastructure, he said, Workman could devote its full attention to developing new products.