Inspired by the belief that the key to success is a healthy dose of irreverence, Quirk Books is the leading publisher of entertaining, amusing, and informative gift and reference books.

The Book Depository: What/who do you see as your primary market?

Quirk Books: As a book publisher, we naturally see the book trade as a key market. But, as a gift publisher, our true primary market is the "specialty", "niche", or "gift" markets. We believe that a Quirk book is a cool discovery that is meant to be shared. And, as such, we aim for our products to be a gift-purchase as much as a self-purchase.

The Book Depository: What are the principal challenges/opportunities you see at the moment in the business of publishing books?

Quirk Books: The book market is so crowded right now. And, as book publishers, we are also competing in the gift and entertainment markets. New publishers and manufacturers are creating and releasing new products every day. The principal challenge is making our books stand out amongst all of the products out there. And, that challenge has prompted us to seize the opportunity to continue to innovate and be original.

The Book Depository: What brings you to the decision to publish a particular title/author?

Quirk Books: Most of our concepts originate internally through brainstorming and development. Our mission clearly states that we want to entertain, amuse and inform. So, it's key that the book accomplishes one or all of those feats. As a gift publisher, the book needs to appeal to multiple markets while, at the same time, have a clearly identifiable target audience.

The Book Depository: What books are you most proud of having published?

Quirk Books: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: It is our first NY Times Best Seller and proving to be an international phenomenon.

The Baby Owner's Manual: This book was the launching point for our top-selling series and it exemplifies our mission to entertain and inform. Real information presented in an entertaining way -- all in a great, gifty package.

Penis Pokey: This one proved that sometimes it pays to be silly.

Gig Posters: 101 rock posters that can be removed from the book and hung on the wall. This book challenged all of our departments and the end result is a masterpiece.

The Field Guide to Stains: Great title, practical content, clever concept, and one of our first books ever.

The Book Depository: What books are you working on right now?

Quirk Books: Our next Quirk Classic mash-up along the lines of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

Gary Goldschneider's Everyday Astrology: a practical astrology book from the best-selling author of The Secret Language of Birthdays.

CSI: The Interactive Mystery: There's been a murder in Las Vegas. You must comb through 8 removable clues inserted within the narrative to help the CSI team solve the mystery.

The Sherlock Holmes Handbook: Just in time for the Fall 2009 movie (starring Robert Downey, Jr), we're releasing a compendium of skills that all would-be sleuths should know.