Sign In

William Gladstone

Owner, Waterside Productions

William "Bill" Gladstone was a prominent figure in the publishing industry who founded Waterside Productions, Inc. in 1982.34 He was a literary agent, publisher, and author who passed away on December 27, 2024, at the age of 74 in Cardiff, California.12

Throughout his career, Gladstone personally placed more than 5,000 titles with numerous publishers.34 He was known for representing notable authors in the technology world, including Peter Norton and Linus Torvalds.4 One of his most significant achievements was selling the first "For Dummies" book, "DOS for Dummies" by Dan Gookin, which led to the highly successful series that has sold over 200 million copies.4

Gladstone's educational background included a Bachelor of Science in Spanish Language and Literature from Yale University (1968-1972) and studies in Anthropology at Harvard University.3

As the owner of Waterside Productions, Gladstone established the agency as a leading force in the literary world, particularly in the realm of computer and technology books.4 The agency has represented more bestselling authors and books than all other agencies combined in this niche.3

In addition to his work as a literary agent, Gladstone was also an author himself, writing books such as "The Golden Motorcycle Gang" and "Be the Deal," both co-written with Jack Canfield.1

Highlights

Obituary: William Gladstone - Publishers Lunch

Related Questions

What was William Gladstone's most notable achievement in the publishing industry?
How did William Gladstone contribute to the success of the For Dummies series?
What other authors did William Gladstone represent during his career?
How did Waterside Productions evolve from a traditional literary agency?
What online courses did Waterside Productions offer?
William Gladstone
William Gladstone, photo 1
William Gladstone, photo 2
Add to my network

Location

Greater San Diego Area