Quirk Books Hits Reset Button Amid Staff Cuts and Editorial Pause
Quirk Books, the indie publisher behind hits like Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, is undergoing a major shake-up. The Philadelphia-based company has announced a six-month freeze on acquiring new titles due to what it calls “marketplace and operational challenges”—a move that has led to significant layoffs, especially among recently unionized staff.
The restructuring comes after a string of high-profile departures, including former president and publisher Jhanteigh Kupihea at the end of 2024. With recent resignations and layoffs, Quirk has slimmed down from 23 employees to just 13 full-time staffers and one part-timer. Notably, no one remains in the editorial department.
Among those laid off are seven members of the union recognized by Quirk just days earlier, raising eyebrows across the publishing industry. The layoffs were announced on June 23, shortly after Quirk’s union was voluntarily recognized by founder and now-president David Borgenicht. The move affects associate editor Rebecca Gyllenhaal, assistant editor Jessica Yang, and several marketing, publicity, and operations team members.
Despite the layoffs following so closely on the heels of union recognition, Borgenicht insists the decisions were purely business: “Such criticisms are ignorant and totally unfounded,” he stated. “These cuts were truly a business necessity… and I was very open with the union rep and our employees about this need.”
Union members, while devastated, are choosing to focus on moving forward. “We completely understand why authors, agents, and friends of Quirk are upset… That said, the union is not calling for a boycott,” a spokesperson said. “The remaining members need our support more than ever as we head into bargaining our first contract.”
Quirk’s publishing program won’t come to a full stop. The publisher confirms that their 2025 and early 2026 titles are still on track, though some projects may experience delays. The company plans to rely on seasoned freelancers in the interim and hopes to rebuild its editorial team once stability returns.
However, communication gaps have frustrated some agents and authors. Writer Lindsay King-Miller confirmed on social media that she has not heard from Quirk despite having a book scheduled for August. Meanwhile, King-Miller and co-author Rachel Feder have pulled a newly acquired title from the house altogether.
Agent Kate McKean expressed her disappointment: “I’ve been so excited about their growing fiction program… but I wish I could include Quirk editors on my upcoming submission lists.”
Founded in 2002 by Borgenicht—who stepped back into leadership earlier this year—Quirk has long been known for its quirky, genre-blending list. The company has published around 25 to 30 books annually and currently has no plans to reduce that number, although major growth is unlikely before 2027.
“This is the hardest part of running a business,” Borgenicht said. “But sometimes you have to take two steps back to move forward again.”
While the future of Quirk Books remains uncertain, authors, agents, and readers alike are watching closely to see whether this bold restructuring will truly bring a creative resurgence—or more disruption.