Thomas Dunne Books
Thomas Dunne Books opened its doors in 1986 as a specialized imprint under the umbrella of St. Martin's Press. This division belonged to Macmillan Publishers, a major force in American publishing. The company operated for over three decades until April 2020 when it ceased operations. During this period, the imprint released popular trade fiction and nonfiction titles to readers across the United States. It functioned as a distinct brand within the larger corporate structure while maintaining close ties to its parent organization.
The imprint signed David Irving, a scholar, for a Joseph Goebbels biography in 1996. Internal research revealed that Irving was a Holocaust denier with links to the Institute for Historical Review. This group served as the literary center of the United States Holocaust-denial movement. Thomas Dunne Books dropped the book immediately after these connections surfaced. A second controversy emerged in October 1999 regarding Fortunate Son: George W. Bush and the Making of an American President. The author J. H. Hatfield had served prison time for attempting to bomb his former boss. He also included anonymous accusations about President Bush in the manuscript. St. Martin's Press recalled and destroyed all copies of the book following public incidents. One executive editor resigned in protest over the publication decision. By November, editors from the Dunne team stopped attending standard editorial meetings at St. Martin's. They began holding their own separate sessions instead.
Macmillan Films launched in October 2010 as a production arm of Thomas Dunne Books. This new division aimed to create docudrama series based on nonfiction titles from the imprint. Gangland Undercover became their first major project. It drew material from Vagos, Mongols, and Outlaws: My Infiltration of America's Deadliest Biker Gangs by Charles Falco and Kerrie Droban. The original book had been published by the imprint in 2013. Macmillan Films later changed its name to Macmillan Entertainment. By April 2020, the company website listed no staff members or products in development. No available properties remained active for potential adaptation projects.
PublishersLunch announced in June 2016 that Thomas Dunne Books had reduced its workforce to four employees. The publication described this move as making the imprint smaller and more focused. Economic pressures continued to mount over the following years. St. Martin's Press eliminated the entire imprint in April 2020. This decision came during implementing a job reduction action and hiring freeze across the organization. Pandemic-related economic struggles forced these difficult choices upon the publisher. The closure marked the end of thirty-four years of continuous operation since 1986.
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Common questions
When did Thomas Dunne Books open its doors?
Thomas Dunne Books opened its doors in 1986 as a specialized imprint under the umbrella of St. Martin's Press.
Why did Thomas Dunne Books drop David Irving's biography project?
Thomas Dunne Books dropped the book immediately after internal research revealed that Irving was a Holocaust denier with links to the Institute for Historical Review.
What happened to copies of Fortunate Son by J. H. Hatfield published by Thomas Dunne Books?
St. Martin's Press recalled and destroyed all copies of the book following public incidents involving anonymous accusations about President Bush in the manuscript.
Who were some notable authors who published books through Thomas Dunne Books?
Notable contributors included Jesse Slattery, James MacGregor Burns, Joe Haldeman, Homer Hickam, Bernie Sanders, Michael Palin, and William Shatner among others.
When did Macmillan Films launch as a production arm of Thomas Dunne Books?
Macmillan Films launched in October 2010 as a production arm of Thomas Dunne Books to create docudrama series based on nonfiction titles from the imprint.
When did Thomas Dunne Books cease operations permanently?
The company ceased operations in April 2020 when St. Martin's Press eliminated the entire imprint during implementing a job reduction action and hiring freeze across the organization.