TOR BOOKS

   US paperback publishing company-later moving into hardcover also - founded by Tom Doherty, then aged 44, in 1980, in conjunction with Richard Gallen; the first titles were published in 1981. Doherty had previouslybeen in control of ACE BOOKS for 5 years. The first editor-in-chief was Harriet McDougal, and first head sf editor was Jim BAEN, who left in 1983to form his own company in 1984. Beth MEACHAM became sf/fantasy editor in 1984, soon becoming editor-in-chief; David HARTWELLbecame consulting sfeditor the same year. This put two of the most expert sf editors in the US in the same company. TB expanded rapidly, publishing only a few sf titles in 1981 but 137 in 1986, which made them one of the most important sf publishers. At the end of 1986 Doherty and his partners sold Tom Doherty Associates, Inc. to St Martin's Press, a move perhaps connected to thebankruptcy of Pinnacle (Tor's paperback distributor on a contract basis), and to Tor's rapid expansion which had left TB temporarily short of cash; but Doherty stayed on to run TB. In 1988, TB introduced Tor Doubles, similar to the old Ace Doubles (DOS). Beth Meacham left in 1989, but continued (from Arizona) as an executive editor. The senior editor in charge of sf and fantasy then became Patrick Nielsen Hayden.By 1988 TB and St Martins together topped all US sf publishers in terms of number oftitles published, 256; but TB found this too much, and dropped from 12 sf/fantasy/horror titles per month to 9. By 1990-91 TB was publishing fewer sf/fantasy books than BANTAM/ DOUBLEDAY/Dell and Putnam/Berkley/Ace, though during those years - and since - it has published more sf/fantasy hardcovers than any other firm in the English-speaking world. In 1991 TB dropped its separate horror list. Robert Gleason became editor-in-chief in 1991.TB have published many important sf authors, including Poul ANDERSON,Greg BEAR, Michael BISHOP, Orson Scott CARD, John KESSEL, Pat MURPHY, Mike RESNICK, Kim Stanley ROBINSON, Sheri S. TEPPER, Jack VANCE, Walter Jon WILLIAMS, Gene WOLFE and Jack WOMACK. Authors whose first novels have been published by TB include Tom MADDOX, Rebecca ORE and Richard Paul RUSSO.

   PN