Taunton Press

Taunton Press is an American specialist publishing house based in Newtown, Connecticut. Founded in 1975 by Paul Roman and his wife, Jan, the company developed around practical, highly focused editorial content for serious hobbyists, craftspeople, homeowners, designers, and building professionals. Rather than operating as a broad general-interest publisher, Taunton built its identity through authoritative service journalism and instructional publishing in fields where readers often seek detailed techniques, project guidance, product information, and design inspiration. Its best-known periodicals included Fine Woodworking, Fine Homebuilding, Fine Gardening, and Threads. These titles addressed distinct but overlapping communities: woodworking makers, residential construction professionals and advanced do-it-yourself builders, gardeners, and sewing and textile enthusiasts. The portfolio also included publications that were later retired, such as Kitchen Garden, CraftStylish, and Inspired House. Through these magazines, Taunton became associated with hands-on expertise, practical photography and diagrams, project-based articles, and contributions from recognized practitioners in their respective fields. Books were another important part of the business. Taunton published instructional and reference works on woodworking, home construction, architecture and interior design, cooking, gardening, and crafts. Its catalog included books associated with specialist authors and public figures such as Sarah Susanka’s Not So Big home-design series, Ellie Krieger’s The Food You Crave, Janet Bristow and Victoria A. Cole-Galo’s The Crocheted Prayer Shawl Companion, Robert Thallon’s Graphic Guide to Frame Construction, Richard Raffan’s Turning Wood, and Jenna Short’s Cooking Allergy-Free. It also published or distributed educational media connected with craft authorities, including material associated with woodworker Sam Maloof and the Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking series. Taunton also extended its editorial model online. Digital resources and communities included GreenBuildingAdvisor.com, which focused on energy-conscious construction and building science. These online properties complemented the company’s print magazines and books by offering frequently updated information, searchable reference material, community participation, and practical advice. The company’s ownership changed in the 2020s. Active Interest Media acquired The Taunton Press on December 3, 2023. In May 2024, Active Interest Media sold the Taunton Books imprint portion of the business to Abrams Books. This transaction separated the book-imprint business from the broader Taunton publishing assets and changed the corporate context in which the Taunton name and its publishing properties operate. Taunton Press is therefore best understood as a specialist publishing brand whose historical strength lies in enthusiast and professional-interest media, with its post-acquisition structure requiring further clarification for individual magazines, websites, and book assets.

Taunton Press was established in 1975 in Connecticut by Paul Roman and his wife, Jan. From its beginning, the company concentrated on specialized publishing rather than mass-market general-interest media. Its editorial focus was practical and instructional, aimed at readers who wanted to make, build, repair, design, grow, cook, or sew with a high level of competence. The company’s magazine portfolio became the central expression of that strategy. Fine Woodworking served woodworking enthusiasts and professionals with technique-driven articles, project coverage, tool information, and contributions from established practitioners. Fine Homebuilding addressed residential construction, renovation, and building practice. Fine Gardening focused on horticultural knowledge and garden design, while Threads served sewing and textile enthusiasts. Taunton also experimented with additional titles, including Kitchen Garden, CraftStylish, and Inspired House; these publications were subsequently retired. Alongside periodicals, Taunton developed a substantial book program. Its subjects included woodworking, building construction, home design, cooking, gardening, and crafts. The list combined technical manuals with accessible lifestyle and project books. Notable examples included Sarah Susanka’s Not So Big series, which addressed residential design, and books associated with authors and specialists such as Ellie Krieger, Janet Bristow, Victoria A. Cole-Galo, Robert Thallon, Richard Raffan, and Jenna Short. Taunton also published educational material connected with respected woodworking names, including Tage Frid and Sam Maloof. Taunton’s publishing model expanded beyond physical products as digital publishing became more important. The company maintained online resources and communities, including GreenBuildingAdvisor.com. Such properties allowed Taunton to provide continuously updated information and foster communities around specialist topics, particularly energy-efficient construction and building science. This digital activity complemented the company’s established magazine and book expertise. A major ownership transition occurred in the 2020s. Active Interest Media acquired The Taunton Press on December 3, 2023. The acquisition placed Taunton’s specialist publishing assets within a larger media group. In May 2024, Active Interest Media sold the Taunton Books imprint portion to Abrams Books. The transaction made the ownership of the book imprint distinct from the broader Taunton publishing operation. As a result, the historical Taunton identity spans a portfolio whose corporate and operational arrangements changed after the acquisition, while its established editorial reputation remains associated with practical publishing for enthusiast and professional audiences.

• 2024

  Taunton Books imprint sold to Abrams Books

  [1]Taunton Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Active Interest Media sells the Taunton Books imprint to Abrams Books in May 2024.

• 2023

  Acquisition by Active Interest Media

  [1]Taunton Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Active Interest Media acquires The Taunton Press on December 3, 2023.

• 1975

  Taunton Press is founded

  [1]Taunton Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Paul Roman and Jan Roman establish Taunton Press in Connecticut as a specialist publisher serving hobbyist and building-related audiences.

• Expansion into specialist magazines

  [1]Taunton Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Taunton develops a portfolio that includes Fine Woodworking, Fine Homebuilding, Fine Gardening, and Threads, alongside several later-retired titles.

• Development of online editorial resources

  [1]Taunton Pressen.wikipedia.org

  The company adds digital resources and communities, including GreenBuildingAdvisor.com, to its print publishing activities.

A specialist, expertise-led publisher serving serious hobbyists, makers, homeowners, designers, gardeners, cooks, and building professionals through practical editorial content and instructional reference products.

• Specialist magazine

  Fine Woodworking

  A woodworking publication centered on furniture making, shop practice, tools, materials, joinery, finishing, and project instruction. It helped establish Taunton’s reputation for technically detailed editorial content aimed at readers who expect professional or advanced-hobbyist standards.

• Building and renovation magazine

  Fine Homebuilding

  A publication focused on residential construction, remodeling, building methods, materials, design, and job-site practice. Its audience includes builders, contractors, architects, experienced renovators, and homeowners seeking detailed guidance on construction decisions.

• Gardening magazine

  Fine Gardening

  A gardening title covering plant selection, cultivation, garden design, maintenance, and horticultural techniques. It reflects Taunton’s broader approach of combining practical instruction with visually oriented editorial content for committed home gardeners.

• Sewing and textile magazine

  Threads

  A sewing and textile publication offering technique-focused content for garment makers and other textile enthusiasts. Its subject matter fits Taunton’s specialist model by emphasizing usable instruction, construction knowledge, and creative project development.

• Digital building resource

  GreenBuildingAdvisor.com

  An online resource and community focused on green building, energy performance, building science, and practical construction decisions. It extended Taunton’s home-building expertise into a digital format with ongoing editorial and community-oriented content.

• Book imprint

  Taunton Books

  The book-publishing imprint associated with Taunton’s catalog of woodworking, home building, home design, cooking, gardening, and crafts titles. It included notable specialist and lifestyle books and was sold by Active Interest Media to Abrams Books in May 2024.

• 2024

  Sale of the Taunton Books imprint to Abrams BooksM&A

  Background

  Following Active Interest Media’s acquisition of The Taunton Press, the book-imprint portion of the business was separated from the wider Taunton portfolio.

  Action taken

  Active Interest Media sold the Taunton Books imprint to Abrams Books in May 2024.

  Aftermath

  Abrams Books became the owner of the Taunton Books imprint, while the broader post-acquisition status of Taunton’s magazines and digital properties requires further review.

  Source

• 2023

  Sale of The Taunton Press to Active Interest MediaM&A

  Background

  Taunton Press operated as a specialist publisher with magazines, books, and digital resources serving hobbyist and building-related audiences.

  Action taken

  Active Interest Media completed the acquisition of The Taunton Press on December 3, 2023.

  Aftermath

  Taunton’s assets became part of Active Interest Media, although the later sale of the Taunton Books imprint created a separate ownership path for the book business.

  Source

1. 1Taunton Pressen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Taunton Press official websitetaunton.com