Archives for June 2006

BBC Sells to Random UK BBC Books has finally selected a partner for its book line, agreeing to sell a majority stake in the unit to Random House UK. As a result, BBC Books will become part of the Ebury division, run by publisher Fiona MacIntyre. BBC continues to have a stake in the unit, and will still “license relevant book publishing rights in BBC programs.” The deal also helps Random House come close to market share parity with Hachette, which passed Random as the UK’s largest publisher after the close of the Time Warner Book Group acquisition. Massachusetts Man […]

Ginna to Start Imprint at Bloomsbury Oxford University Press trade editorial director Peter Ginna is leaving the company in early July to become publisher and editorial director of a new imprint at Bloomsbury focusing on quality nonfiction. He starts at Bloomsbury in September, reporting to publisher Karen Rinaldi. Known for his American history list, among Ginna’s many authors are the winners of the 2005 and 2006 Pulitzers in history, Washington’s Crossing by David Hackett Fischer and Polio: An American Story by David M. Oshinsky. No specific plans for a launch date and annual title output have been set yet, though […]

The Next Step at Bulfinch In the continuing evolution of Bulfinch Press, made a part of Little, Brown after the departure of publisher Jill Cohen in April, “the imprint Bulfinch will cease to exist” after the release of the fall 2006 list, according to LB publisher Michael Pietsch. Thereafter, the imprimatur “a Bulfinch Press book” will be added only to traditional art books (photography, art, and museum-related titles), all of which will be published as Little, Brown titles. With a diminished staff that now includes a single dedicated editor for the list, four titles under contract were cancelled, Pietsch indicates, […]

This Summer’s UK Bestsellers-in-the-Making That’s the hope of authors and publishers who made Richard and Judy’s summer reading list. The picks are: The Highest Tide by Jim Lynch The Righteous Men by Sam Bourne The Island by Victoria Hislop My Best Friend’s Girl by Dorothy Koomson The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova The Abortionist’s Daughter by Elisabeth Hyde Next week the talk-show hosts will run an interview with JK Rowling as well. Over the weekend, the Times profiled Richard and Judy producer Amanda Ross, the power behind the picks. Ross says, “My criteria, honestly, is: is this book going to entertain […]

Monday, June 19 Deal Reports Just e-mail to deals@PublishersMarketplace if you aren’t using the online form linked below. Report a deal using the online form The Key As usual, the handy key to our Lunch deal categories. While all reports are always welcome, those that include a category will generally receive a higher listing when it comes time to put them all together. “nice deal” $1 – $49,000 “very nice deal” $50,000 – $99,000 “good deal” $100,000 – $250,000 “significant deal” $251,000 – $499,000 “major deal” $500,000 and up FICTION Debut Natasha Bauman’s THE DISORDER OF LONGING, following a woman […]

Another Strong Quarter for Wiley A strong fourth quarter helped Wiley to finish their fiscal year with revenue of $1 billion for the first time, growing 7 percent. Fourth quarter sales of $267 million were up 10 percent, as income rose 14 percent to $23 million. The professional/trade unit had sales of $106 million in the fourth quarter, and $380 million for the full year in the US. The company cites “standout performances by the technology, business, finance and architectural programs, as well as global rights and website advertising. P/T’s finance and leadership programs, as well as the Sybex acquisition […]