Merkh Forms Hybrid Publisher After leaving traditional publishing, in which he served in executive roles with Nelson Books and at Simon & Schuster’s Howard Books division, Jonathan Merkh has joined the ranks of hybrid publishers. His new company, Forefront Books, will release its first two books this fall, and Merkh plans a list of five to six titles for the spring. “My goal is to work with a small number of high-volume clients,” Merkh said. His first author certainly fits…