Archives for June 2006

New Laureate Donald Hall is being named as the country’s new poet laureate, taking over from Ted Kooser. The author of 15 books of poetry, Hall’s selected poems from 1946-2006 were just published in April, and Houghton has a collection of prose about New Hampshire, EAGLE POND, already scheduled for 2007. Washington Post On Kids and Reading A study just released by Scholastic and Yankelovich more or less gives statistical confirmation to what you probably already knew: Kids start losing their enthusiasm for reading as early as age 9, and the decline continues through age 17. Children of readers read […]

Heirs in the News In the long-running battle over control of John Steinbeck’s estate, a NY judge has awarded rights to OF MICE AND MEN, GRAPES OF WRATH, and eight other classics to Steinbeck’s son Thomas and granddaughter Blake Smyle. The action will also result in the termination over time of certain publishing rights currently held by Penguin and Steinbeck’s widow Elaine. Rights for Of Mice and Men will expire in 2012 and The Grapes of Wrath in 2014. Penguin can still appeal the decision. In a separate battle, James Joyce scholar Carol Shloss has joined forces with copyright renegade […]

Bonds Drops Suit Against Authors Barry Bonds asked the court to dismiss his suit against authors Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams and Gotham Books on June 2, the San Jose Mercury News reports. The paper says “he took the action because the reporters — Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams — have been subpoenaed by a grand jury investigating who leaked transcripts of the testimony.… Bonds wanted whoever leaked the documents to be held accountable, the player’s attorney Michael Rains said Saturday.” So far, though, the reporters have indicated they will not comply with that subpoena. Mercury News News Briefs Houghton […]

Monday, June 12 Our Usual Reminder If for some reason this has reached you even though you are not a paying member of PublishersMarketplace, please visit the link below to join us all the time for complete deal reports and more. Click to register http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/register.shtml 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 […]

Schedule Please note, there will be no regular Lunch served tomorrow, since I’ll be speaking at a conference in Toronto associated with BEA Canada. As always, news items will be posted to PublishersMarketplace as we’re able, and all other site activities — deal reports, jobs, etc. — will continue at full steam. Borders Cuts Corporate Staff Following yesterday’s earnings restatement, Borders said they were cutting 90 jobs, primarily from their Ann Arbors headquarters, representing about 6 percent of corporate staff. Spokesperson Ann Roman said, “Looking at our five-year plan, it is clear that corporate costs require adjustment at this time.” […]

Borders Announces Higher Loss Borders said this morning that the company has “corrected an error in the calculation of gross margin within its International segment, specifically in the Books etc. division.” While the error relates primarily to fiscal 2005 results, the additional loss will be reflected in their first quarter filing for 2006. The previously announced loss of 29 cents per share will be restated to 31 cents a share, adding about $1.3 million to the quarter’s already high $18.9 million loss. Release Zadie Smith Breaks Favorite Jinx, Takes Orange The third nomination is the charm, as Smith wins the […]