A state publishing agency that prints academic material recently announced it purchased a St. Petersburg-based publishing company.
University Press of Florida, the official publisher of the State University System, acquired Seaside Publishing to continue its expansion into the gift market.
“Seaside helps us expand the kinds of books we can offer for general trade readership,” said UPF Deputy Director for Sales, Marketing and Acquisitions Dennis Lloyd.
As part of the agreement, UPF will continue printing 25 Seaside titles, according to a press release.
Joyce LaFray, founder of Seaside Publishing, said she decided to sell her company because she felt it was time to retire and wanted to spend more time writing. She said she selected UPF because she was impressed with UPF Director Meredith M. Babb’s latest publications on Florida’s cultural heritage, travel and food.
“I felt it was the perfect fit,” LaFray said.
UPF recently started publishing its own collection of postcard books as well as existing cookbooks, Lloyd said.
“UPF has a wonderful legacy,” LaFray said, “and I knew that our titles would go on, which would make all of our authors very happy.”
