A New Jersey court of appeals overturned a lower court verdict against author Timothy O’Brien and Hachette Book Group, ruling that he does not have to reveal the sources for his claim in the book TrumpNation that Donald Trump was worth between $150 million and $250 million a fraction of what he claims. The court said the details of Trump’s life are a matter of public interest.AP
Archives for October 2008
Oprah's "Favorite New Gadget": Kindle
She loved the Gemstar ebook reader back when it was hard to love in 2000 (and even that didn’t spur sales significantly) and now Oprah loves Kindle. She gave the device an oddly over-the-top endorsement on Friday’s show, with Amazon ceo Jeff Bezos joining her on the set as window dressing since he barely got a word in. Winfrey declared, “I’m telling you, it is absolutely my new favorite thing in the world.” Acknowledging that the device could be pricey for much of her audience, the Oprah web site has a promotional code that gives $50 off the purchase price […]
Bloomberg's Politics Delays His Writing
With the New York City Council approving a revision to the term limits law for top officials clearing the primary obstacle to Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s hopes of running for re-election, the next phase for author Michael Bloomberg has been put on hold. Originally announced for publication this fall by Perseus’s Vanguard Press and then shifted to a February 2009 release, Bloomberg’s book DO THE HARD THINGS FIRST “is being delayed due to changed circumstances” as the publisher started informing accounts today. They said they “will announce a new publication schedule when it is determined.” Promotional copy for the book quotes […]
Kirshbaum On Publishing; Ulin on "Vapid Hype"
the Harper Studio blog asks former publisher/now agent Larry Kirshbaum what one thing he would change about the publishing business: “I’d like to see less titles published by the large publishers. The smaller publishers have financial and capacity restraints which tend to keep their lists within the realm of what they can successfully market. The larger publishers, having greater resources (and also larger infrastructures) seem to believe that the larger their lists, the more chances they’ll have for scoring big successes. “Unfortunately, even when you have multiple imprints, size no longer works in their favor. (Large publishers tend to have […]
HBG Creates New Division
Hachette Book Group is creating a new division around two of their recently-formed imprints, putting the sci-fi and fantasy line Orbit and graphic novel line Yen Press together. Tim Holman will be vp and publisher of the new division, which takes the Orbit name, reporting to ceo David Young. Kurt Hassler becomes sole publishing director for Yen Press, reporting to Holman, as co-director Rich Johnson leaves the company at the end of the month. Alex Lencicki is marketing and publicity director for the new division. Young says in the announcement: “The establishment of this new division reflects not only our […]
Toni Morrison's Sound Serial
NPR’s web site will offer a four-day series of pre-publication readings by Toni Morrison from her forthcoming novel A MERCY beginning October 27 as part of their Book Tour program. Additionally, NPR’s Lynn Neary will discuss the book with Morrison in a webcast interview and All Things Considered’s Michele Norris will have a broadcast interview with Morrison. Senior supervising producer for NPR Digital Media Joe Matazzoni says, “This exclusive moves affirms our goal of making NPR.org a must-visit site for readers and listeners interested in writers and ideas.”