Archives for June 2004

Work in Progress As many of you have noted, I’m posting direct to the PublishersMarketplace home page whenever I can. The downside of this constant activity is that I haven’t had time to be as reflective/analytical as I usually like. And I don’t even have time right now for my usual disclaimers about how hard it is to “cover” a trade show-as one person, or even as an entire staff. Nonetheless.: Knopf Cuts Clinton Pre-Orders As Demand Rises The show’s big story remains the biggest story, and will stay that way at least until June 22. Pre-orders for Bill Clinton’s […]

Chicago, B.C. At least psychologically, Bill Clinton’s upcoming keynote address tonight at BEA has turned this year’s convention around, particularly given that the idea of a return to Chicago B.C. (before Bill) was not particularly stirring. Anticipation of the speech continues to dominate press coverage and chatter among attendees; the big question is whether, after the former president’s exciting “toe touch,” will the books and the convention itself come to the fore. Leading into the show-and riding the Clinton enthusiasm-BEA show manager Greg Topalian was characteristically upbeat about how things were shaping up. (Careful observers will note that this year’s […]

Schedule Note I’m off to Chicago shortly. BEA reports will be plentiful, but I’m not certain when we’ll actually be able to send them out via e-mail. Check the PublishersMarketplace.com home page regularly for live updates in between the e-mails. Speaking of the convention, the Saturday political luncheon has gotten considerably more intriguing with the late addition of Maureen Dowd to the panel. She joins Ron Suskind, Donna Brazile, Linda Chavez, and PJ O’Rourke. As a reminder, we do ask that you observe new rules in how you share your daily Lunch. As ever, feel free to take significant stories […]

Oprah Picks Anna for Summer Reading Oprah’s Book Club has made Leo Tolstoy’s ANNA KARENINA the summer reading selection. The official designation goes to Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky’s Penguin Classics translation from 2001. Wendel Finalizes Deal to Buy Editis Publishers Lagardere has confirmed their deal to sell 60 percent of the Editis publishing assets to French equity firm Wendel Investissements, for $807 million. The European Union has made it clear that they will still need to approve the sale. How Good’s the Intelligence(r) on Janklow Sale? I’d been sitting on rumors of renewed efforts by Mort Janklow, 74, to […]